Although a coastal city, Sitges, with its flashy February carnival, gay-friendly ambience and charming medieval layout, is an excellent destination for mid-winter parties, art and relaxation - even now, when summer is long gone.
Vibrant and libertine on one side, bohemian and strikingly beautiful on the other, Sitges is the kind of city that gets under your skin. Situated only 35 km south of Barcelona, in Spain’s Catalonia region, it snakes its way between the glistening Mediterranean Sea and the rugged peaks of the Garraf Massif, providing a gem of a backdrop for the beach lovers, partygoers and artsy types that flock to the area every year.
A gay community darling and a nightlife hotspot that rivals legendary Ibiza, Sitges somehow manages to maintain a delightfully laid-back atmosphere, sneaking creative restaurants and modern hotels into every corner, without losing a bit of its Mediterranean flair and genuine Catalan character.
For a relaxing spa break in stylish surroundings, the Avenida Sofia Hotel Boutique & Spa is an ideal choice, offering its visitors luxurious boutique-style accommodation and an extensive spectrum of services right in the heart of Sitges.
One of the hotel’s highlights is undoubtedly its fabulous 600m2 full-service spa, where you can renew your spirit, body and mind with a selection of world-class treatments, massages and facials. Depending on your needs and preferences, Sofia Spa provides outstanding customer care and personalized services.
Designed to create a tranquil and inviting environment for locals and tourists alike, yet constructed in perfect balance with its natural surroundings, this lovely oasis of relaxation boasts some of the most advanced facilities and techniques in Sitges. The spa’s centerpiece is the dramatic, beautifully designed hydrotherapy circuit with its glittery salt water pool, cold water basins, innovative sensation shower and unique heated beds where you can stretch out and relax between treatments. The wellness area also includes a Finnish sauna, a leisure pool and a steam bath meant to detoxify and stimulate your body.
In addition to this superb hydrotherapy circuit, which is a signature of the hotel along with their focus on sustainability, the Avenida Sofia Hotel Boutique & Spa has its own health and beauty centre where a variety of treatments are offered. Derived from marine or vegetable sources, all products used for the treatments are natural and of highest quality, providing excellent care for both the skin and the environment.
For the most active guests, the hotel has a 24/7 fully equipped fitness room with state-of-the-art gear and professional trainers who can set up a personalized exercise program that will help you achieve your goals. Qualified nutrition and Pilates services will further add to the hotel’s leisure facilities in order to enhance your wellness experience.
Guests at Avenida Sofia Hotel Boutique & Spa will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of accommodation types, from Superior and Deluxe rooms to spacious, exquisite suites. All units are appointed with stylish contemporary decors, quirky ecologically-inspired design elements, lovely views, ultra comfortable foam beds and luxury amenities such as wireless internet access, minibars, natural bath products, TV and high-quality cotton sheets.
Furthermore, the hotel boasts a total of 300m2 of exceptionally equipped meeting rooms, a variety of indoor and outdoor dining areas and a superb rooftop bar where you can sip gorgeous house-blended cocktails by the pool while taking into some of the most magnificent views of Sitges and the sparkling azure sea beyond.
Avenida Sofia Hotel Boutique & Spa lies in the heart of the city, within easy reach of major attractions such as beaches, the delightful Can Llopis Romanticism Museum, the Maricel Museum, the bustling Port d’Aiguadolc or the Cau Ferrat Museum, which is home to the world’s largest collection of wrought iron.
Although the young, hip and well-heeled clientele that frequents the resort during the summer months doesn’t seem to care much about cultural Sitges, the city’s art and festival scenes have never been brighter.
From the absolutely fantastic Gay Pride held here each summer to the world-famous Sitges Film Festival (October) - which is regarded as Europe’s leading fantasy film festival - to the flamboyant Carnestoltes (Carnival), this gay-friendly Catalan gem - often overlooked in favor of glorious Barcelona - certainly knows how to have a great time all year round. And being one of the most gay-friendly places in the world only adds to its charm. After all, what could be more seductive than a medieval town basked in romance and year-round sunshine, with awe-inspiring narrow streets, fabulous beaches, open-minded inhabitants and an annual event packed with something to tickle everyone’s fancy.