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THE PEARL OF SPA
On April 30, the cityscape of Spa, famous for its thermal baths, was enriched with a striking newcomer: a giant toucan suddenly adorned the roof of the former Palace Hotel. This marked the festive opening of Van der Valk Hotel Spa at this iconic location in the heart of Belgian Wallonia. The Van der Valk family is proud of this new addition and looks forward to welcoming guests to a place where luxury, wellness, and the charm of Spa come together.
EVA VAN MEIJL
PHOTOGRAPHY: NOPOINT STUDIO'S
With 120 rooms, eight meeting rooms, an à-la-carte restaurant, fitness room, three terraces, and its location in the heart of the city, not far from the train station, Hotel Spa is certainly an asset for Van der Valk. Director Marco Wohrmann is visibly proud to see the toucan on the roof. 'For almost fifteen years, my wife Anne-Sophie and I have been running Hotel Verviers, located fifteen minutes away from Spa. We have been working on opening a hotel in Spa for quite some time. I am thrilled that we have finally succeeded. I am definitely proud to have a Van der Valk Hotel in one of the most touristic towns in Wallonia.'
LIVE COOKING BAR
The hotel was already in perfect condition at the time of acquisition. Therefore, major renovations are not necessary. "The hotel has been completely renovated during the COVID period, so it is still beautiful and up-to-date," said Marco. "Furthermore, new suites were created at that time, including a Palace Suite of over 100 square meters. However, we do want to make the interior on the ground floor more to our liking. The restaurant is already cozy, but not quite as we would like to see it at Van der Valk. We will address this during the upcoming winter. A cozy bar and a Live Cooking buffet will be added. A great addition to the French gastronomic cuisine of the à-la-carte restaurant."
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IN YOUR COAT THE ELEVATOR IN
The town of Spa is, of course, famous for its natural springs. The Spa Thermal Baths are known far beyond Belgium. These historic spas are among the first in the world and have even been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021. With a total area of 10,000 square meters, numerous indoor and outdoor thermal pools with water at 33°C, whirlpools, saunas, Turkish baths, and treatment options, you can relax to the fullest here. The highlight of the hotel is the private lift to the thermal baths. Marco explains: "This connection is unique. You can walk from your hotel room to the lift in your bathrobe. It takes you to the top of the mountain to the entrance of the Thermal Baths of Spa. A beautiful place that has been a spa resort for over two centuries. The beauty of these thermal baths is that the spa resort is spacious. What's more, there are sixty private cabins, giving you plenty of privacy. We have entered into a wonderful partnership, enabling us to offer special hotel packages with discounts on admission and many extras.
THE BEST PLACE IN TOWN
Furthermore, Hotel Spa is located on the central market square, right in the center which is also classified by Unesco. In addition, the hotel has an underground parking garage with 41 spaces.
Marco: "The location at Place Royal is absolutely stunning. This is the vibrant heart of Spa. If there's something going on, you have to be at this square. In the summer, there's the Francofolies de Spa, a five-day annual music festival; this is where the biggest performances take place. Moreover, the prestigious Spa-Francorchamps race circuit is nearby. Prior to the famous 24-hour race there at the end of June, the cars are displayed at Place Royal. The hotel terrace is the best spot to watch the cars!"
MUCH TO DO
For an original meeting location, Hotel Spa is also a good choice. There are two large seminar rooms that can be divided into four, so there are a total of eight spaces, accommodating up to three hundred people. The rooms are equipped with modern technical facilities. Marco: 'Think of a multi-day event combined with a visit to the thermal baths or the race circuit. Or the oldest casino in the world, the Casino of Spa, built in 1763. Spa is located in the nature-rich Ardennes where you can hike, mountain bike, and kayak for hours. There are also caves, castles, and a climbing park in the area to visit. Next to the hotel is a large park where you can play mini-golf, fun for the whole family. The modern hotel combined with the many opportunities for relaxation and activities in the surroundings have made Hotel Spa popular since its opening. Very beautiful to see!'
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