Running in Heels discovered Medina Mayrit, a veritable oasis of relaxation and calm in the heart of Madrid that will chase the winter blues away…
Who would have thought that you could become more relaxed than you’d ever been in your life in the centre of Madrid? Not me. As I battled my way through the manic post-work commuters and into the busy Sol Plaza, I was stressed, annoyed and tired. Could there be a more perfect candidate to review a relaxing city spa? I think not.
Medina Mayrit means ‘the city of Madrid’ and it draws heavily on the city’s Muslim past to create the perfect spa experience. So armed only with a bikini I arrived anticipating the Best History Lesson Ever. Located a mere five minutes walk from the Sol metro stop, the red building stands out in the surrounding cityscape. This is the first clue that you’re about to experience something different.
There is a talk at the beginning but unfortunately it is only available in Spanish. Non–Spanish speakers can request a card explaining the rules of the baths and massages in English. The bathing experience begins once they finish their talk and escort you to the changing rooms hidden behind the imposing door. Once inside, you have truly escaped the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
Medina Mayrit adheres to the decor, design and atmosphere of its Arab roots with baths of hot, warm and freezing cold water. There is also a beautiful marble sauna and a tea room located within the baths where you can relax and sip the delicious sweet peppermint tea which is available on tap.
Soft music and flickering candles make Medina Mayrit a truly relaxing place to be
The walls are painted in warm colours and there are candles flickering throughout the baths. The request for silence from bath users means that it is rare to hear any other noises aside from whispers. Music plays softly in the background and everyone wanders from bath to bath at their leisure. There are small waterfalls throughout the baths so if you close your eyes you can drift away whilst listening to the water and the music. I spent the majority of my time floating on my back whilst gazing up the ceiling. Bliss.
There is no set routine to follow although a circuit of warm, hot, warm and finally, cold is recommended. A warning though: the cold baths are not for the faint of heart! They are designed in a plunge pool style which few users brave but the drastic change in temperature is an excellent idea because the contrast in temperature between the hot and oh so cold bath has a strong stimulating effect on blood stream. The subsequent sweating also means the toxins are being eliminated from your body.
Following on from the baths, you can also reserve an optional massage. A member of staff will collect you from the baths and the massages take place in a separate annex. I received the 30 minute relaxing massage which concentrated on my back and legs and nearly sent me to sleep! My only complaint would be that the massage room is communal and I received my massage right alongside complete stranger. However once the masseuse’s magic hands began their work I have to confess I forgot all about him.
The bath experience costs €23 and lasts for one hour. Massages are optional and prices range from €37 for the relaxing massage to €49.50 for the Al Andalus Ritual Massage. Keep in mind that these prices are for peak times and you can take advantage of slightly lower massage prices between 10am and midday and from 2pm to 4pm during the week. Anyone who fancies a late night dip is in luck as the spa stays open until midnight!
If you really don’t want to leave, adjoining the spa facilities is a teteria (a tea room with shisha pipes) and restaurant with traditional dishes accompanied by Andalucian music and a belly dancing spectacle where you can continue your Arab inspired ‘history lesson’. As I sailed home on the metro afterwards, full of relaxation and goodwill towards mankind and metro users, I vowed to head back here again and again. And I confess, a mere two weeks later I’ve already got the first stamp on my loyalty card!
For more information, see Medina Mayrit’s website (in Spanish and English)
Medina Mayrit,
C/Atocha, 14
28012 Madrid
28012 Madrid
Metro: Sol or Tirso de Molina
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