Take to the mountains on foot or on skis, or simply go with the flow in the spa at this hidden gem in the Pyrenees
Most people coming to Spain end up at one of two places – on a beach or at a museum. But Spain has a lot more to offer than sun and Goya and, although it is the most popular tourist destination in Europe, there are still a few places off the beaten track that are frequented only by locals. The Aragon province of the Pyrenees is one such area and El Privilegio de Tena hotel is its main attraction.
El Privilegio de Tena is a hotel that offers charm, sophistication, world-class service and great cuisine as well. It is set in the heart of the Aragon area of the Pyrenees in the town of Tramacastilla de Tena (1,224m), on a verdant sloping hillside overlooking the wonderfully remote Tena Valley. Behind the valley, rugged mountains rise in the distance culminating in the 3,000m Picos del Infierno or Hell’s Peaks.
El Privilegio has a total of 26 rooms including 10 standard doubles, nine superior doubles and seven suites, the most spectacular of which is the 100sqm Privilegio Suite with its own private entrance, working fireplace and unhindered views of the Bubal reservoir from the living room. Each room has been individually designed to incorporate the original sloping ceilings and heavy stone walls typical of the region, and furnished with pieces that comfortably balance the rustic with the modern. Also on site is a restaurant stocked with a crew of ex-Martin Berasategui alumni. The three-starred Michelin Chef was originally brought in as executive chef and set the scene for today’s highly original gastronomic offering.
With the slopes of Panticosa and Formigal both less than 15km away, skiing is a major attraction but there is also snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing on the numerous mountain trails. In summer horse riding, rock climbing, hiking, canoeing and white water rafting are on offer to tempt the adventurous.
If all that sounds a bit too strenuous, you’ll be happy to know that many people come here just to hang around the hotel and its promise of real peace and quiet or to relax in the spa. For a hotel of this size, El Privilegio has a surprisingly well-equipped spa where you can treat yourself to a bi-thermal or cold haze shower, relax on one of the thermo-regulated sun lounges, take a sip in the hydro-zone or enjoy something from the menu of massages, facial treatments and body wraps.
El Privilegio has also recently added an indoor-outdoor lap pool with adjustable water jets that allow you to swim against the current. Or you can do what most people do here which is to relax and go with the flow. - Guy Fiorita
