Abano Grand Hotel
The “grande dame” with the licence to enjoy
HEALTH AND PLEASURE AT THE ABANO GRAND HOTEL
The bar in the Abano Grand Hotel does not bear the promising name James Bond in vain. Although the super agent with the “licence to kill” offers his viewers a concentrated load of action-packed and nerve-racking suspense, the glamorous James Bond Bar in the Abano Grand Hotel promises everything a Bond girl could wish for. The bar is part of the international association “Bond Point Privilege”, a series of cocktail bars and venues, whose ambience is dedicated to the philosophy of this style icon and whose drinks reflect the multi-faceted life of the secret agent. In any case, a shaken vodka martini will ring in the evening, when, musically as well as culinarily, the motto is: you have the license to enjoy!
The only five-star deluxe hotel in Abano, the most important European spa for mud therapies and thermal baths, is one of the best grand hotels in the world. You surely remember my portrait about the Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria in Abano Terme (www.lookandluxury/Grand Hotel Trieste & Victoria). Both hotels (as well as the five-star Hotel Due Torri, the four-star Hotel Metropole and the four-star Hotel La Residence & Idrokinesis) belong to the well-known family-run Borile Group. I regularly treat myself to an exclusive break in both (in summer at the Trieste&Victoria and in winter as well as in spring at the Abano Grand Hotel). As usual, I’m warmly greeted by hotel manager Giuseppe Ronca, so I immediately feel at home.
While the exterior façade and the new stylish bistrot reflect the modern architecture of the 20th century, the interior shines in a kind of baroque splendor with marble floors, marble columns, precious stucco work, exquisite fabrics, exclusive carpets, Venetian chandeliers and antique furniture. I feel transported back to the glorious days of European luxury, and it is precisely in this elegant indulgence that the essence of top-class grand hotels around the globe culminates for me and for many other regular guests.
Stylishly, the glorious look is continued in the rooms and suites of this thermal luxury gem. As such, there are various categories with carpeted or hardwood floors in a range of sizes, all of which embody the charm of a classic grand hotel, yet are equipped with the latest technology. Our two tastefully decorated Deluxe Panorama Rooms with connecting door (509 & 510) in Louis XV style offer more than 100 square meters of pure living pleasure and a breathtaking view from the spacious balcony on the tropical hotel garden and the Euganean Hills in the distance.
More photos of the rooms, the hotel garden, the thermal swimming pools, the spa, the various bars and the globally revered Cucina Italiana can be found – as usual – below in the slideshow.
The culinary reveals pure pleasure for the palate. In the morning, my gourmet heart already beats faster at the sight of the rich breakfast buffet in the restaurant “Giotto”. Chef Claudio Crivellaro continues to spoil my palate and my eyes at lunch and dinner time. He knows exactly how to delight the taste buds of an aesthetic and stylish gourmet traveller at a candlelit dinner in the magnificent restaurant “Pietro d’Abano”. For those who do not want to dine in this gourmet temple at lunchtime, I recommend the new stylish Bistrot “I Quadri” in autumn and winter and the “Etoile” with tasty grilled dishes in the hotel park in spring as well as in summer. Of course, the James Bond Bar always serves light meals during the day.
Did you know that the Abano Grand Hotel celebrated its 25th anniversary on February 14th, 2023? I was very pleased that I was able to enjoy this dinner on Valentine’s Day.
The ROMANAE THERMAL SPA offers boundless relaxation. James Bond-feeling in the evening at the hotel’s bar and / or divine feeling during the day at the Romanae Thermal Spa. This glorious spa with its monumental statues of Julius Caesar, Marcus Aurelius, Hadrianus Augustus and Octavius Augustus offers everything that the grandiose Roman thermal baths already offered their guests and much more, such as the magic of the fascinating lagoon city in the Venezia Spa area, open from 10. 00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. “Isola della Sauna”, “Corte del Vapore”, “Campo d’Argilla” and “Calle del Freddo” immediately reflect the magic and charm of this fascinating city.
Above all, the Romanae Spa promises health enjoyment. Do something good for your body and mind by booking one of the multi-faceted mud treatments, massages or anti-aging rituals. The absolute wellness pleasure culminates in the renowned facial ritual “Golden Touch”. The precious 24-carat gold mask, which is gently massaged in with jade rollers, leaves the skin with an amber complexion and is a guaranty to counteract signs of ageing by optimally regenerating the skin cells and stimulating collagen production. The Cleopatra feeling is included in the price. By the way, the owner family has had their own range of cosmetics developed. The cosmetic laboratories that cooperate with the GB Group guarantee modernity and innovation in the context of thermal well-being. Personally, I use the anti-aging B Special line. There is also the Thermal Shine line as well as the Natural Elements Abano line. You can find the whole product range on www.abanothermalcosmetics.it
The pool area, open from 8.00 a.m. until 11.00 p.m. also provides pure joy of life, because swimming is known to refresh the soul and the body. Some thermal pools are interconnected, so you can swim from the inside to the outside or vice versa. In the depths of winter, for example, you can swim from the indoor thermal pool “Lune” to the well-heated outdoor pool “Soleil” without suffering a cold shock. But the thermal pool “Etoile” (29-34 degrees) invites you to relax too, thanks to its hydro massages, underwater jets, to name just two of the many feel-good factors. Every day, there is a water aerobics class at 3.00 p.m. Furthermore, the thermal pool Acqua Space is reserved for treatment with a personal trainer. Also check out the photos on Instagram @lookandluxury.
In summer, the Leading Hotel scores with a wonderful 20,000 square-meter garden, an olive grove, palm trees and some tropical plants. But even in winter, as you can see in the photos, this park exudes true grandeur. Finally, the central location a few steps from the pedestrian zone as well as from the spa park cannot be topped. The Abano Grand Hotel, which belongs to the well-known Borile Group, is definitely a destination for the stylish and indulgent luxury traveller. Nestled in the picturesque beauty of the Euganean Hills, it exudes elegance, nobility and glamour.
Those who wish to leave this oasis of tranquillity and pleasure to explore the spa town of Abano or the surrounding area should visit Padua, 15 minutes away, with its famous Scrovegni Chapel, Giotto’s fresco paintings and the Basilica of St. Anthony (on Saturdays there is the famous local market “Prato della Valle Market”) and the lagoon city, 45 minutes away. Also worth a visit are the historic villages (Arquà Petrarca), the castles (Valbona, Monselice, Catajo), the vineyards and the olive groves in the Euganean Hills.
My insider tip is a romantic river cruise from Padua to Venice. From March to October, there are excursions to the Venetian villas on the Brenta Riviera on certain dates. The concierge will be happy to inform you about this unique itinerary of the Burchiello.
Treviso, Verona, Vicenza or Lake Garda are also worth a visit if you have a little more time. Finally, wellness lovers, thermal vacationers, those interested in art and culture, gourmets and golfers appreciate the spa town of Abano Therme. For the latter, there are three exclusive golf courses in the immediate vicinity (Golf Frassanelle, Golf Montecchia, Golf Padua).
