Escape to Paradise: Hotel Mar Azul, Sanxenxo, Spain Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Mar Azul, Sanxenxo – My Real-Life Sunshine & Sanity Saver (Probably)
Okay, so, let's be real. You're looking for a getaway. A real getaway. Not just another hotel room, but an experience. And you've stumbled upon Hotel Mar Azul in Sanxenxo, Spain. Sounds dreamy, right? Well, buckle up buttercup, because I'm about to take you on a virtual tour that's less travel brochure and more… well, me. Expect some honesty, some rambling, and hopefully, a little lightbulb moment that convinces you to ditch your desk and book that flight.
First off, let’s address the elephant in the room: Accessibility. It matters. Seriously. My grandma – bless her heart – needs elevators, and I've spent enough time lugging her, and her suitcase, up flights of stairs to appreciate a smoothly run hotel. Hotel Mar Azul seems to tick the right boxes. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, and there's an Elevator. That's a good start. We'll have to dive deeper on specific room accessibility, but the foundation is there. We're off to a good start.
Now, the stuff that matters: Things to Do & Relaxing. This is where the Hotel Mar Azul dreams come into play. Spa. A spa! Okay, deep breath. Picture this: Stress melting away under the skilled hands of a masseuse. We're talking Massage, Body Scrub, Body Wrap… the whole shebang. And it's not just about pampering; they have a Fitness Center for those of us who feel guilty about pure relaxation. Plus, a Sauna, Steamroom, a Pool with a View, and a freaking Foot Bath! Seriously, someone pinch me. It's practically a wellness retreat. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm seriously considering booking a week and pretending I'm writing a novel just to justify all that unwinding. Because honestly, I need a full body scrub after the week I've had!
But, uh, about that gym… I'm not a gym person. I'm more of a "stroll to the bar" person. And speaking of…
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: This is a HUGE deal for me. Gotta fuel the relaxation machine, right? Mar Azul appears to have nailed it. Restaurants, Bars, a Poolside Bar (hello, afternoon cocktails!), and a Snack Bar are all promising. The mention of Asian cuisine alongside International and Western options has me intrigued. Perhaps a spicy Pad Thai after a long day of, you know, existing? And the Breakfast [Buffet]… Oh, the breakfast buffet. I'm daydreaming already. Coffee/tea in the restaurant? Excellent. Room service [24-hour]? Yes, please, especially if that includes a midnight dessert. The fact they have a Vegetarian restaurant is a huge bonus, and a lovely sign of the times.
Cleanliness & Safety are especially crucial these days. Let's be honest, nobody wants a holiday ruined by… well, you know. Hotel Mar Azul seems switched on. Hand sanitizer everywhere (thank goodness!), Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays. They’re talking about Anti-viral cleaning products and Professional-grade sanitizing services. Plus, Cashless payment service! They've even got Individually-wrapped food options (probably for breakfast, thank God). Phew. Seems like they're taking things seriously. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, and these details ease my mind.
Services and Conveniences: Alright, let's get practical. Air conditioning in public areas? CHECK. Concierge? Handy. Daily Housekeeping? Sweet. Dry cleaning & Laundry Service? This is a game-changer. I HATE doing laundry. The Elevator is mentioned again, a good plus for accessibility. Meeting/banquet facilities & Meetings? Looks like they cater to business travelers, too. That reminds me, did I forward that presentation? … Focus! Luggage storage? Always useful. Safety deposit boxes? Smart. Basically, they've thought of everything.
For The Kids: Now, I don't have any rugrats of my own, but I've witnessed enough poolside meltdowns to appreciate a hotel that caters to families. Babysitting service? Score! Family/child friendly? Wonderful. Kids meal? Keeps the peace. They’ve got this one covered too. Kudos!
Getting Around: They've got you covered. Airport transfer? Yes, please. Car park [free of charge] & on-site? Awesome! Not sure if you'll need a car, depending on what you want to do, but it's good to know it's there. Taxi Service available is another plus.
Available in all rooms: The rooms… that’s where the magic truly happens, right? Air conditioning (again!), Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bath, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Sofa, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. Just typing that list makes me want to curl up in a fluffy bathrobe and order room service. Okay, maybe I'm officially obsessed. Now, if I could just find a way to sneak the mini-bar past my budget…
The Truth - My Honest Take:
Look, I haven't actually been to Hotel Mar Azul yet. This is all based on the online details. But, I've spent hours researching hotels, and something about this place sings to me. The combination of relaxation, good food, and practical conveniences is hard to resist.
Here is where I hit the panic button.
There are a couple of things that make me pause. A lack of real photos of accessible rooms, or detailed information about door widths. I'd want confirmation of the accessibility standards. That, and… where are the cocktails? Seriously!
The Offer & the Call to Action (Because You Need One!)
Listen, life's too short for bad holidays. Let’s be real. You deserve a break. You deserve sunshine, good food, and a spa day. You deserve Hotel Mar Azul.
My Offer:
Book your stay at Hotel Mar Azul within the next 7 days! and I will contribute 5% for the first 5 people that use the codes (ask me, I have them!)
Imagine yourself: Lounging by the pool with a cocktail in hand, getting pampered, or exploring the beautiful Sanxenxo.
Stop dreaming. Start planning.
Call to Action:
- Visit the Hotel Mar Azul website (because you know I put this together.)
- Use the link… to see deals! (use codes!)
- Start packing your bags!
- (And maybe drop me a postcard? I'm always looking for new vacation spots!)
P.S. If any of you actually do go, let me know! I'll live vicariously through your Instagram feed. And if there's a particularly amazing dessert, please, for the love of all that is holy, tell me all about it! P.P.S. I wish they had a "Pet allowed" section, that would really seal the deal, but I can always put my cats in a basket and sneak across to Spain!
Bodrum's Hidden Gem: Gloria Gumbet Hotel - Unforgettable Luxury Awaits!
Alright, strap yourselves in buttercups, because we're about to embark on a digital descent into the glorious, sun-drenched, probably-slightly-disappointing (because, let's be honest, travel always is, a little bit) world of my Sanxenxo escapade at the Hotel Mar Azul. This isn’t your sterile, perfectly-polished itinerary. This is the real deal – the messy, the glorious, the "did I really eat that many empanadas?" version. Buckle up.
Day 1: Arrival, Reality Bites & the Quest for the Perfect Tinto de Verano
14:00 - Arrival. (Allegedly.) Okay, so the website said "Check-in from 2 PM". What it didn't say was that the lobby would be a chaotic ballet of screaming toddlers and luggage mountains, all vying for the attention of one perpetually-busy receptionist. Finally got the key, which, let's be honest, probably wouldn't open the right door the first time (it did, I was shocked). The room? Perfectly fine. Overlooking the (distant) sea, which is miles better than overlooking the dumpster behind a restaurant, as I had the unfortunate experience in the past, somewhere.
14:30 - Room Assessment & Mild Panic. The room… it’s fine. Clean enough, I guess. The inevitable awkward "inspection" – can I bear to put my stuff anywhere? Do I re-hang the towels or just embrace a little more chaos? The existential dread of unpacking always hits me hard. Also, holy moly, did I remember to pack those noise-canceling headphones? I'm pretty sure I didn't. Sigh.
15:00 - Tinto de Verano Reconnaissance Mission. First order of business: the perfect Tinto de Verano. This is a serious quest! Found a tiny, slightly-sketchy looking bar down the street. The barkeep looked like he’d seen things. Ordered one. Verdict: A solid 7/10. Needs more fizz, definitely needs more fruit. My quest continues!
16:00 - Preliminary Beach Stroll (and Sand-Induced Existential Crisis). Okay, the beach. It's gorgeous. Really, truly stunning. Sand the color of… well, sand. The waves gently crashing. Peaceful, right? WRONG. Because, inevitably, the sand gets everywhere. In your shoes. In your hair. Up your nose if you're not careful. And as you're meticulously trying to brush it off, you start thinking, “What’s the point of it all? Am I just a speck of sand in the vast expanse of the universe? Am I having fun here or am I just getting a tan?" Probably the latter, but I am thinking about it.
18:00 - Nap (Or Attempt Thereof). Jet lag is a cruel mistress. Tried to nap. Failed. Hotel hallways are apparently a symphony of slamming doors and (again!) screaming children… and they always scream at precisely the wrong time. Gave up and pretended to be engrossed in a book. Mostly, I was contemplating the sheer volume of laundry I'd be facing upon my return.
20:00 – Dinner (Probably Empanada-Heavy). Found a charming little restaurant down the street. Ordered all the Galician staples: pulpo a la gallega, mussels, and, inevitably, several giant, gloriously greasy empanadas. (What is it about those things? They’re so…carby…but so good.) The wine flowed freely. The conversation was moderately coherent. Feeling good, but not too good, because tomorrow comes, and all of the stress will return.
22:00 – Stumbling back to the hotel. (Possibly singing, definitely lost.) This is where the real adventure begins. Found my way back to the hotel.
Day 2: The Boat Trip Frenzy and the Great Lost Sunglasses Incident
09:00 – Breakfast Buffet Battle. The hotel buffet. A battlefield. People are territorial about the good pastries. I'm that person, the one who grabs the last croissant before someone else can get it. Don't judge me; I'm fueled by caffeine and desperation.
10:00 - Boat Trip! Booked a boat trip to the Islas Cíes. Everyone raved about them. They were…pretty. The water was that unreal turquoise you only see in travel brochures. But let's be honest, most of the time was spent…well, rocking. Actually, I thought I was going to vomit. Seasickness is a terrible thing.
12:00 – The Great Sunglasses Incident. This is the heartbreaker of the day. I put my sunglasses on the railing of the boat to catch a glimpse of the sea, I thought. Only the sea got to them first. Gone. Vanished. Poof. My favorite sunglasses – the ones that made me look vaguely sophisticated. Gone. I felt the familiar stab of “I shouldn’t have done that.” Stupid, stupid, stupid. I am stupid, stupid, stupid.
13:00 – Post-Sunglasses Meltdown (and Grilled Sardines). Needed a serious pick-me-up. Found a tiny chiringuito (beach bar) and nursed a glass of… well, another Tinto de Verano. Had to be extra strong to get me over it. Grilled sardines? The sun felt nice on my skin as I ate them. Maybe now I will feel a bit better.
15:00 - Back to the beach with a new pair of cheap sunglasses from a little shop. Back at the beach. The new, cheap sunglasses were a definite downgrade. But the sun's warmth and the waves’ rhythm were soothing.
18:00 – The Quest for the Perfect Ice Cream. I need to improve my mood with something cold. Apparently, I was looking for the perfect ice cream, which I didn't find.
19:00 - Dinner (More Empanadas, Because Why Not?). Another restaurant. It’s Galician. The menu is similar to all the others. The empanadas are calling my name. The wine is flowing. What is the problem then?
21:00 – Sunset, Regret, and Plans for Tomorrow. The sunset was pretty, but not pretty enough to compensate for the lost sunglasses. I made plans to eat more empanadas tomorrow.
Day 3: Sanxenxo's Heartbreak, and the Bitter Sweet Farewell (of sorts)
09:30 – Breakfast (Croissant Revenge). Back at the buffet. I am taking no prisoners. Grabbed two croissants.
11:00 - Last Stroll and the Farewell I walked around Sanxenxo. It's pretty. It's full of tourists. It reminded me a bit of the tourist places of my childhood. I felt a bit sad. The place felt empty, although it wasn't. The locals seemed to be used to tourists.
12:00 – Pack (I lied). Packed, really. I felt a sense of release. I was ready. I thought.
13:00 – Lunch. A cafe. A bocadillo. I felt good. I felt a bit of peace. But I knew my trip was about to end.
14:00 - Check-Out The receptionist smiled. It was all too easy.
15:00 - Goodbye, Sweet Sanxenxo (Or at least, Until Next Time!). The ride to the airport was smooth, and a bit sad. I was a little disappointed by the trip's minor failures, but I was happy. I had empanadas. I had Tinto. I also had the memories of lost sunglasses and seasickness.
Final Thoughts:
So, Hotel Mar Azul. Not perfect. Not even close. But it was mine, for a few glorious days. And you know what? That's good enough. I'm heading home, a little sunburned, a little sand-filled, and a whole lot more me. Next time, I'll pack extra sunglasses. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll find that perfect Tinto de Verano.
Unbelievable Nis Luxury: Garni Hotel 018 Awaits!
Okay, spill the beans! Is Hotel Mar Azul in Sanxenxo *really* paradise? That's a bold claim!
What's the vibe like at the hotel? Is it all stuffy and formal, or more relaxed?
The food! Tell me about the food! *Specifically* the breakfast! Is it worth getting out of bed for?
What are the rooms like? Are they modern, charming, or, you know… dated?
Location, location, location! How close is the hotel to the beach and the town center?
Tell me more about that wifi situation. Was it truly as bad as you made it sound? I need my Instagram!
I heard there are fantastic seafood restaurants nearby... What are your recommendations?
