ASIA GARDENS HOTEL & THAI SPA, BENIDORM: THE WHITE LOTUS FANTASY, NO PASSPORT REQUIRED (Spain)

Tucked away in the verdant hills overlooking the Mediterranean coastline of Spain’s Costa Blanca, Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa is not merely a luxury resort — it is a world unto itself.

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More Ultimate Luxury Experiences: Back to nature Spa & Wellness
Article written by Asia Abadie on 2025-09-09

From the moment you enter the grounds, the ambient sounds of birdsong, the scent of blooming jasmine, and the gentle trickle of water from fountains transport you to an atmosphere so exotic and immersive that you’ll forget you’re in Benidorm. It’s no exaggeration to say that this place feels like a live set from The White Lotus — only here, the drama is traded for deep calm and curated joy. You don’t need to fly to Thailand or Sicily to indulge in that iconic blend of tropical grandeur, elevated wellness, and quiet opulence. It’s all here, just a short drive from Alicante.

A garden with a hotel

Covering 370,000 square metres of lush landscaped grounds, Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa lives by its own mantra: “This is not a hotel with gardens. It is a garden with a hotel.” And indeed, the foliage seems to define the experience more than any particular structure. Designed by a Spanish family with a love for Asia — who still own the property today — the resort features more than 300 plant species, over 80% of which are native to Asia, creating an atmosphere more reminiscent of Bali, Chiang Mai, or Ubud than southern Spain.

Towering cotton trees, winding paths shaded by bamboo, and tranquil koi ponds are not mere design choices; they’re the foundation of the resort’s identity. Guests can take botanical walks, learn about the rare flora, and discover how this lush ecosystem is sustained through eco-conscious landscaping and 100% recycled water irrigation — part of Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa’s wider sustainability program, which has earned them multiple certifications in 2025 alone.

An exclusive, independent vision

Unlike resort chains that replicate luxury formulas across destinations, Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa remains wholly unique. While it operates under Barceló’s Royal Hideaway collection - a top-tier luxury division - the hotel is entirely independent, owned by the same visionary family who conceived it. Their passion for Asian travel, aesthetics, and philosophy is evident in every detail, from the Thai statues that flank the spa entrance to the silk furnishings and teak accents in the guest rooms.

The hotel has been a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World for over 11 years, a recognition of its enduring standard of excellence. And yet, despite its accolades, it remains a singular resort — no chain expansion, no clones in Marbella or Mallorca. Just this one, meticulously curated sanctuary.

Rooms designed for every mood — and family size

The resort’s 309 rooms are divided to accommodate different types of travellers. There are 20 luxury suites, many of which are located in the serene Thai Club section — a private, exclusive zone for suite guests only. The remaining rooms are split between Deluxe and Superior categories, with the Superior rooms typically favoured by families. For larger groups or multi-generational travel, the resort offers interconnecting Deluxe rooms or full-family suite configurations.

The layout of the resort is intentionally divided to serve both couples and families simultaneously, without compromising the experience of either. During the busy summer months, guests with children are steered toward the family-friendly blocks near the kids' club and child-oriented swimming pools, while couples can enjoy more secluded corners of the property with adults-only pools, restaurants, and even an adults-only spa experience.

Inside the rooms, natural materials and motifs abound. Terraces overlook jungle-like gardens or glistening pools, and bathrooms are stylish sanctuaries in their own right — stone, wood, mosaic tiles, and soft lighting combine for an atmosphere of elevated simplicity.

Dining: A global culinary journey, with Asian soul

With ten restaurants and bars, Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa offers a culinary map that spans continents. Whether you’re craving Mediterranean comfort food or bold Asian spices, every taste is catered to. The Lombocci Italian restaurant offers upscale trattoria-style dining, while Udaipur, the international buffet, is a feast of global cuisine.

Casual options include tapas-style snack bars, and for sushi aficionados, the Lobby Bar offers a menu of delicate Japanese bites. The restaurants are guests-only, enhancing the resort's exclusive personality.

The Thai Spa: A sanctuary within a sanctuary

At the heart of the resort lies its Thai Spa, a world-class wellness haven that draws guests from across Europe. With five individual treatment rooms, five couple’s suites, and a staff of highly trained Thai therapists, the spa offers traditional and modern wellness rituals with authentic attention to detail. Popular treatments include Thai massages, reflexology, and signature therapies that end with a tea ritual beside a private pool where guests are invited to relax for an additional hour post-treatment.

Spa access is adults-only, and appointments fill up quickly — a testament to its reputation. Outside, a hammam, meditation gardens, and outdoor treatment terraces complete the offering.

Guests can also enjoy daily wellness activities, free of charge, including Tai Chi, yoga, guided meditation, and stretching classes. A modern fitness centre and new tennis and paddle courts — opened in December — support the hotel’s goal of promoting an “active luxury” lifestyle.

Families first, without sacrificing elegance

Asia Gardens is remarkably well-equipped for families. A thoughtfully designed kids' club (open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.) and teens’ club offer age-appropriate programming ranging from arts and crafts to football tournaments and even kids’ yoga. There’s also a playground, a volleyball court, and a full-sized football pitch. A second football pitch is in the planning phase, alongside the construction of a set of private villas and a croquet court — part of a long-term vision to expand the hotel’s footprint without compromising its identity.

Importantly, the hotel strikes a rare balance: children are welcomed and entertained, but never dominate the atmosphere. For this reason, Asia Gardens has become a favourite among European royal families, VIPs, and celebrities - Bruce Willis stayed for a full month during a film shoot - who value its combination of discretion, privacy, and world-class service.

A truly global - yet local - staff

At the height of summer, the hotel employs around 350 people, representing a truly international mix: Russians, Romanians, Peruvians, French, English, and of course, many locals. In the Thai Spa, many therapists are from Thailand, further lending authenticity to the guest experience. Impressively, some staff members have been working at Asia Gardens since the resort opened — a reflection of its loyalty to both guests and employees.

That sense of longevity is mirrored by the guest list. Many visitors return year after year, often booking the same rooms or suites. Some families have been returning for over a decade, their holidays marked by the consistency, tranquillity, and personalised attention that Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa offers.

Sustainability meets serenity

Far from resting on its aesthetic laurels, Asia Gardens is actively committed to environmental responsibility. In addition to its water recycling systems, the hotel sources produce from local markets, implements energy-efficient systems, and engages in a variety of eco-friendly practices. In 2025, the hotel added two new certifications, affirming its position not only as a leader in luxury but also in low-impact tourism.

A Mediterranean escape like no other

In a world increasingly overrun by generic luxury experiences, Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa stands apart. It is a product of vision, passion, and decades of dedication to a dream: to bring the spirit of Asia to the Mediterranean in a way that feels authentic, enveloping, and effortless.

Whether you're arriving for a wellness retreat, a romantic escape, or a family adventure, the resort adjusts to your rhythm. It's the rare place that can feel like The White Lotus without the suspense — an opulent escape filled not with fictional tension, but real-life wonder.

So, no, you don’t need to travel to Thailand to find yourself immersed in bamboo forests and Thai massages, or sipping ginger tea beside a tranquil koi pond. Asia Gardens is waiting — and you don’t even need a time zone change to find yourself in another world.