Hotel Spa Princesa Parc ★★★★

Rising up out of the foothills of the rolling green Andorran mountains, the Hotel Spa Princesa Parc is the perfect pitstop for getting up close and personal with nature. The spectacular Pyrenees mountain range provides a breathtaking backdrop for a range of outdoor activities which change and vary to complement the season. Andorra in winter is a haven for snowsports, with the beautiful white-capped peaks setting a surreal scene, and in summer the hiking trails are busy with walkers, cyclists, and the abundant wildlife.

Often, these kinds of summer activities go hand in hand with camping. But if curling up in a tent isn’t your thing, then the Princesa is the ideal retreat to come home to every evening. The friendly staff are second to none, bending over backwards to ensure your stay is everything you could have hoped for and more – in fact, they are renowned for offering the best service in the area. Now that’s what I call being treated like royalty!

The Princesa doesn’t stop rolling out the red carpet there, either. From the outside, the rustic stone brickwork blends in perfectly with its surroundings, modest and natural, but inside it’s a whole other story. Tucked away from the outdoor world, the modern, deluxe rooms offer a comfortable contrast to the jagged terrains that are native to Andorra, and the extensive games room complete with bowling alley and pool tables is the perfect antidote for tired eyes and aching legs.

And, just like Andorra adapts to the changing seasons, so does the Princesa, providing a differing assortment of hotel activities depending on the time of year. In summer, you can discover what the area has to offer on horseback or by bike, or indulge your sense of adventure with a zip wire ride, archery, and quad biking. When winter shows its icy face, the Princesa puts on a whole range of winter sports for its guests, including skiing and snowboarding on the glorious Pyrenean slopes.

But it’s the well-equipped and welcoming spa facilities that truly make the Princesa the jewel of Andorra. What could be more fitting for a queen (or king) than being pampered and treated to a hydromassage or relaxing in the traditional hammam after flexing your muscles on the extensive walkways and hiking trails? Not much, that’s for sure!

The Princesa offers the best of both worlds, encouraging guests to make the most of the lesser-visited, action-packed Andorra, but also providing a relaxing hideaway to come back to at the end of a long day, where you can sip on your favourite cocktail in the tranquil bar and enjoy the surrounding views. If just the thought of outdoor excursions makes you sweat, though, you can also simply enjoy the unique landscape from the comfort of the Princesa’s outer terraces and swimming pool, flexing your muscles only when you need to venture to the bar for another drink.

To re-fuel, you can dine like a king in the open buffet restaurant, which puts on a selection of tasty dishes, from fresh, Mediterranean cuisine, to international plates, and local, mountain specialities. And, as is the case with most aspects of Andorra, the dishes reflect the seasons - a hearty Andorran stew is perfect to warm up in the winter months, but a crunchy, colourful salad is ideal for a light snack in the summer.

Andorra is a chameleon of a country, changing its so-called spots with every turn in the weather, and the Princesa is no different. Catering to every taste, preference, and adventure, the Princesa is your knight in shining armour, particularly when it comes to providing spectacular scenery and pampering sore feet.

My advice to you? Change your glass slippers for hiking boots and still get treated like royalty at the Princesa!