Best Spa and Wellness Stays in Burgos

NH Collection Palacio de Burgos places families inside a sixteenth-century palace with a cloister, on the Arlanzon riverbank directly opposite Burgos Cathedral. Children old enough to enjoy the history will appreciate the setting, and the cathedral is a short walk away. A sauna and fitness centre are on site, and the restaurant serves international and regional cuisine. It is a four-star palace, so I would choose it for a special family weekend. Rated 8.9 from 4,901 reviews.

AC Hotel Burgos by Marriott is two minutes on foot from the Gothic cathedral, so families can see the main sight of Burgos and be back in the room quickly for a rest. The AC Lounge covers breakfast, lunch and evening drinks with snacks, which keeps meal planning simple with children. Rooms are modern, with a plasma TV, a music system and a minibar. It has no pool, so it suits short city stays.

Landa is a family-run five-star countryside estate five minutes by car from Burgos, and its two pools are the reason I would point families here: a seasonal outdoor pool for summer and a heated indoor pool for the rest of the year. Rooms are individually decorated by designer Pascua Ortega, and the hotel bakery turns out fresh croissants and pastries through the day, an easy win with children. A car is needed to reach the city.

RICE Bulevar is a few metres from the old town of Burgos, and some rooms look out over the cathedral, so I would request one of those when booking with children who enjoy a view. The Museum of Human Evolution, a strong pick for curious kids, is a five-minute walk. Rooms are contemporary, with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. Facilities are simple, with no pool or spa.

RICE Eleven Rooms is an aparthotel 200 metres from Burgos Cathedral, and its units are what make it work for families: each has a kitchenette, a washing machine and air-conditioning, with family rooms available for longer stays in the old town. Check-in is private, a concierge can help with plans, and there is a small fitness room. I would choose it for a multi-night family stay where cooking and laundry matter.

Abba Burgos is the Burgos hotel I would pick for families who want a pool in any season: the heated indoor pool, sauna, gym and paddle tennis court are free for guests. It sits 300 metres from the cathedral on the Camino de Santiago, next to Castillo Park, where children can stretch their legs on the hill above the city. Rooms are air-conditioned, and many have wide views over Burgos.

RICE Palacio de los Blasones takes its name from the carved coats of arms on its historic Fernán González façade, a detail older children enjoy spotting, and stands 300 metres from Burgos Cathedral. Air-conditioned suites give families more room than a standard double, and some come with balconies. The fountain terrace is a calm spot between visits, and the elegant restaurant serves creative regional cuisine, better suited to older children than toddlers.

Silken Gran Teatro stands next to the Museum of Human Evolution, which I would put first on a family visit to Burgos, with the old town five minutes away on foot and the cathedral seven. The restaurant serves traditional Spanish food, and the café-bar is handy for lighter snacks when children are hungry between meals. Rooms are elegant, with free Wi-Fi and a plasma TV, and reception is open 24 hours.

Abadía Burgos Camino Santiago sits in a quiet area three kilometres from central Burgos, beside the River Arlanzón and next to the university, on a calm stretch of the Camino de Santiago. I would suggest it to families travelling by car who prefer peaceful nights to a central address: private parking is on site, and rooms are modern and air-conditioned. The riverside setting suits a family walk, while the cathedral needs a short drive.

Hotel Maria Luisa calls itself a boutique hotel and sits in central Burgos, five minutes from the old town and twelve from the cathedral, a manageable walk with children. On-site parking is available for an extra charge, a real help for families arriving by car in a city centre. Rooms are stylish and air-conditioned, with a safe, minibar and private bathroom. There is no pool or play area, so it suits short city breaks.

RICE Reyes Católicos is a colonial-style four-star on one of the main avenues of Burgos, an easy walk from the historic centre and the cathedral, which keeps sightseeing with children simple. The piano lounge bar and gourmet restaurant give it the feel of a classic grand hotel, more suited to families with older children than to toddlers. Rooms are classic in style, and the 8.1 score comes from over 2,300 reviews.