Pyrenees Guide

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  Gran Hotel Panticosa

The recently reopened 5 star Gran Hotel Panticosa Resort is located at the Northeast of the Tena Valley, in the Aragon Pyrenees. It is only a few minutes away from France and from the Aragon Valley and it is very close to many attractions including Monte Perdido National Park. Surrounded by peaks of more than 3000 meters of height, different ravines form water cascades on its walls, which die in the Lake de los Baños, a lake of glacial origin, which is found inside the very Resort. The conditions of placement and altitude provide a natural environment of extreme pureness.

The finding of some Roman coins of Augusto and Tiberio, in the environs of the Panticosa springs, makes evident the Roman presence in this enclave, and the use of the thermal waters from those times. The written history of the Spa begins the early 1600s, and it coincides with the recuperation of the spa tradition and the boom of thermal waters among European elites.

It is in the 19th century when the Panticosa Spa is configured as the place we know nowadays. The area is gardened and forested, its emblematic buildings and its springs are built. The Gran Hotel was opened on the 13th of July 1896. In the first half of the 20th century, the Spa is the thermal center par excellence for wide sectors of the Spanish bourgeois. After the Spanish Civil War the Spa enters in a state of neglect, in spite of being declared in 1966 of National Tourist Interest.

On 1 January 2000, a new phase begins, which starts with the architectonic restoration of the enclosure for its subsequent tourist use. For this work, the company receives the Award for Tourist Merit 2003, granted by the Government of Aragon. On the 29th of June 2004 the Gran Hotel opened its doors for the second time, having been totally restored by architect Rafael Moneo. The building has kept its original façade as it is in the official catalogue of National Tourist Interest. At the moment it is the only 5 star hotel in the Aragon Pyrenees, complete with its own Thermal Spa for the exclusive use of guests.

Great attention to detail has been paid in the Gran Hotel of Panticosa. Its 43 rooms have been decorated beautifully with contemporary furniture and art. All the rooms are beautifully appointed, extremely spacious and cozily decorated. The Panticosa Spa Resort provides a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere to enhance ones stay. The breathtaking views of the lake and mountains make it an ideal spot for rest and relaxation. The bathrooms are done in white and grey marble and have luxurious bath robes and towels. Rooms are well equipped with individually controlled heating and air conditioning, internet connection, room service, hairdryer, selection of pillows, satellite television, mini-bar and security box. The Panticosa Gran Hotel offers a variety of social areas which are warm quiet and comfortable. The English Bar which has an outdoor terrace, is an ideal place for a drink or to enjoy an aperitif. There are also TV and Billiard rooms. There are two elegant libraries complete with fireplaces where a range of books can be enjoyed especially some fine works about Aragon. The unisex hairdresser's is available by appointment.

The Restaurante del Lago (Lakeside Restaurant) building was renovated by the prestigious architect Rafael Moneo and inaugurated on the 15 of July 2002. The main dining area is surrounded by large windows that allow you to enjoy the light and the countryside. The cuisine is above all creative, original, full of flavours and aromas andis guaranteed to be of the highest quality in both elaboration and presentation. The wine list is carefully selected, and contains a balance between the most prestigious international wines and the most well known Spanish wines. New additions are being made all the time.

Lunch: 1.30 to 4.00 pm.
Dinner 8.30 to 10.30 pm.
Open all year.

Restaurante El Mirador (The Viewing Point) is situated on the first floor of the Casino building. It has marvellous views of the mountains. The decoration is modern and minimalist while there is a warm and cosy atmosphere. The A La Carte menu contains products in season and traditional dishes. It has a carefully selected wine list with more than 40 choices offering a perfect combination to accompany any dish.

Breakfast: 8:00 to 11:00 am.
Lunch: 1.00 to 3.30 pm.
Dinner: 8.30 to 10.30 pm.
Open all year.

The Buffet Restaurant is situated within the casino area and looks on to the games room which diners can access for free. On the menu you will find a range of delicious choices from local, Spanish and International sources, in a fusion of classical recipes and modern ones. The wine list offers a variety of Spanish and International choices.

Opening Times: 7:30 pm to 01:30 am.
Closed on Christmas Eve.

Panticosa's waters are oligometallic and sulphurous. Five springs pour out the water at a temperature of 30ºC, though the so-called Tiberius fountain emerges at 50ºC. Several treatments are available: anti-rheumatism, anti-stress, against cellulitis, slimming, beauty treatments and dermatherapy. The thermal facilities include 10 bath-tubs, 4 water-massage bath-tubs, 2 jets, 2 nasal showers, 2 saunas, 3 aerosols and a thermal swimming-pool.

Soon, golf lovers will be able to enjoy Las Margas course. Located in Latas, near Sabiñanigo (15 minutes from Panticosa) it has been designed by the prestigious Spanish golfer José Marial Olazábal. It will have an 18 hole par 71, a 9 hole par 3 course and a wide practice and driving range where the golf school will be located.

The Panticosa Resort is the ideal spot to spend your days off at any time of the year. In Wintertime go cross country skiing within the complex or alpine skiing in one of the 5 neighbouring ski resorts. In Spring and Summer the number of options increases, hill walking horse-riding, mountain biking, fishing and canoeing are but a few of the range of water and mountain sports that can be enjoyed in the paths rivers and lakes that are in the area.

At the Tena Valley and its surroundings, one can find a prodigious group of Mozarabic chapels, whose style is a fusion between Romanesque and the Muslim influence, built during the 11th and 12th centuries. The adjacent Aragon Valley shelters the Cathedral of Jaca, from the 11th century, the first Romanic cathedral built in Spain, and the Medieval group of the San Juan de la Peña Monastery, from the 11th century, cradle of the ancient Aragon Kingdom. Other tourist and cultural attractions in the area are the Romanesque churches in the Jacetania and Serrablo, the beauty of its mountains and valleys and the possibility to practise mountaineering, doing excursions, skiing, water sports, hunting and fishing.