East meets west on the Costa Blanca

East meets west in a fusion of Asian cultures at the chic 5 star Barceló Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, which was completed in February 2009. Bringing a new class of hotel to the Costa Blanca, the luxury eastern style property with its traditional Thai spa and blend of Asian cuisine offers an exotic oasis in the heart of the Mediterranean for the first time.

Asia Gardens, built on three levels into the foothills of the striking Sierra Cortina Mountains, is set in an acre of pine forest. Its lush fragrant gardens, which include over 60 varieties of plants and meandering water features, cascade down through the resort, creating an idyllic Asian ambiance with soothing sounds and eastern scents.

The hotel’s Asian inspired architecture comprises a series of pyramid shaped pavilions with traditional style thatched roofs that contrast with its striking red walls and verdant grounds and are offset by a number of intricately carved wooden doorways that once graced Indian and Thai palaces.

On entering the hotel guests are met by an open plan lobby area with its 20 metre high wooden beamed thatched roof and glass wall that floods the atrium with natural light and leads the eye through to the sea view. Asian artefacts, antique carvings and subtle lighting add interest to alcoves and a gentle waterfall provides a cool, relaxing feature to the lower part of the lobby area.

The 312 Balinese style guest rooms and suites are shared between three interconnecting main buildings and all enjoy a private terrace or balcony with picturesque views of the mountains, sea and gardens.

The spacious and elegantly appointed rooms combine cream walls and oriental black lacquered woodwork with eastern style furniture that has been sourced in a variety of colours, adding warmth of personality to the interiors. Squashy king sized beds add a further element of luxury and are complemented by cutting edge sound systems that include iPod dock, DVD, 32 inch plasma screen televisions and Wi-Fi in all the rooms.

The sumptuous bathrooms have Japanese inspired sliding glass screen doors. Double washbasins, baths and black slate and glass walk in showers, featuring cymbal-sized shower heads, whilst luxurious bathroom amenities include kimono style robes and slippers.

On the top level of the hotel the large Presidential Suite has a spacious sitting room area and separate bedroom where chandeliers hang either side of the four poster bed. The bathroom has an enormous bath and large walk in shower. The suite also has its own Jacuzzi on the large covered terrace, with panoramic sea and mountain views.

Asia Gardens offers a wealth of dining options with three a la carte restaurants. ‘In Black’ is the resort’s international gourmet restaurant, which open for dinner and where dishes include ‘Oven roasted Monkfish medallions with root vegetables caramelised chicken and oregano sauce’ and ‘Roasted rack of lamb with vegetables tajine and lavender sauce’.

Alternatively, ‘Koh Samui’ is open for dinner to offer a mouth watering menu of Asian dishes including ‘Tiger King Prawn sautéed with onions, leek, garlic, ginger and a hoisin-pepper sauce’ and ‘Roasted Duck breast accompanied with sautéed spinach, soya beans and sauce of five different spices’.

At the pool area guests can also choose the ‘Palapa’ restaurant with its Mediterranean menu and ‘La Isla’ area for al fresco summer dining. For an informal buffet style menu and for breakfast, ‘Udaipur’ restaurant has an interior and exterior seating area.

In addition there are plenty of places to relax with a drink during the day and after dark. The most stylish is the glittering champagne bar, in the main lobby area, where a selection of champagne cocktails are served. The ‘Bonsai Bar’ and ‘Bonsai Terrace’ also offer the perfect meeting point during the afternoon, and at night this is also the venue for evening entertainment.

Winding paths meander through the gardens and guests can choose to relax on rattan sun loungers by a series of infinity swimming pools. There are seven pools (three of them heated), with one specifically located near to the family rooms and kids club, which has been designed for families with young children. There is also a fitness centre and a running course for different ages and levels of fitness. Bicycles can be hired for use around the resort and to explore the local area. There is also a heliport and two spectacular 18 hole golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, all within an easy distance of the resort.

The delightfully calming Thai spa offers a haven of relaxation with four private cabins where couples can unwind together and therapists are on hand to provide a series of traditional Thai massage techniques. Each of the cabins has direct access to its own private balcony, as well as a petal strewn spa bath and separate shower.

Two of the cabins having Tatami style beds for Thai massage and reflexology and two have raised beds where scrubs, wraps, hot stones and aroma massages, as well as Ayurvedic treatments, can be offered. In addition the spa has a hydrotherapy pool with outdoor swimming area and a Turkish steam bath.

An exterior raised platform has a further four covered treatment pavilions where Thai massage and yoga sessions can be enjoyed by guests as they look across the gardens to the mountains beyond. A Jacuzzi bath in the spa garden has views across to the mountains and the sea.

Asia Gardens is a short distance from Alicante and its airport, as well as the picturesque Costa Blanca towns of Altea and Villajoysa.

A two night stay at Barceló Asia Gardens costs from £170 (196 Euros) per person based on two sharing a Double Deluxe room on a room and breakfast basis. A 60 minute spa treatment cost from £78 (90 Euros) per person.

To book or for more information, visit Barceloasiagardens.com.