Portuguese brewer acquires two thermal spas, carries out contrasting renovations
by Helen Andrews | 01 Apr 2014
The Vidago Palace hotel has 20 treatment rooms, a Turkish bath and a meditation area / Vidago Palace
Portuguese company Unicer, best-known for its beer brewing operations, has announced the addition of two northern Portugal spas to its property portfolio.
The company is best-known for its flagship beer Super Bock, but also has assets through its Pedras Salgadas mineral water brand, as well as recently expanding into tourism ventures. The tie-up continues the trend of convergence between the spa and mineral water markets.
Linked by the natural thermal springs on which they stand (and where Unicer sources its mineral water), Pedras Salgadas Spa and Nature Park plus the Vidago Palace spa have both been redeveloped by Unicer and designed by the modernist architect Álvaro Siza Vieira.
“The team has worked tirelessly to perfect the hotel’s spa offering; providing a cutting-edge menu that makes the most of the therapeutic effects of Vidago’s famous mineral waters and uses the latest beauty and wellbeing innovations. We are thrilled to receive this international recognition,” explains Spa Manager Vera Gonçalves.
Set within 20 hectares of parkland, the Pedras spa – set to open at Easter – offers 12 eco-houses, two treehouses and one main house, which all blend into the surrounding vegetation.
The estate’s naturally forming springs, rich in minerals, provide the water for the thermal spa. The spa includes a humid area for treatments incorporating the water, and a dry area for beauty and wellness treatments.
A heated indoor pool, sauna, hammam, whirlpool, Vichy shower and two relaxation rooms can be found alongside 14 treatment rooms – including five for hydrotherapy and two double rooms.
The second spa is at the Vidago Palace, a 70-bedroom hotel that originally opened in 2010.
The 2,500sq m (26,909sq ft) spa houses both indoor and outdoor pools, a vitality pool, Turkish bath, sauna, various relaxation rooms and a meditation area.
Amid 250-acres of pine and cedar woodland in northern Portugal, the Palace’s 20 treatment rooms now provide guests with products by Vichy and Aromatherapy Associates plus jet blitz and hydromassage treatments.
Unicer will own and manage both facilities, appointing their own operating staff in both spas.
Portuguese company Unicer, best-known for its beer brewing operations, has announced the addition of two northern Portugal spas to its property portfolio. The company is best-known for its flagship beer Super Bock, but also has assets through its Pedras Salgadas mineral water brand, as well as recently expanding into tourism ventures. The tie-up continues the trend of convergence between the spa and mineral water markets. Linked by the natural thermal
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