Le Méridien Ra near Barcelona revives thalassotherapy in a 1929 sanatorium

Built in 1929 as a marine sanatorium for children, Le Méridien Ra Beach Hotel & Spa in El Vendrell extends its healing heritage with the Explore Spa, renovated in 2025. Set on Sant Salvador beach, 35 minutes from Barcelona airport, this Marriott hotel champions thalassotherapy facing the Mediterranean.

A 1929 marine sanatorium

Built in 1929, the building was originally a children’s hospital: as early as the 1920s, people came here for the sea air, sunlight, and mineral-rich seawater. The hotel stands as one of the first wellness sanctuaries built in Spain. Having become a Le Méridien (Marriott) hotel, it was renovated in 2018 by designer Julie Frank and features 144 rooms and suites.

The Explore Spa and its seawater pools

Renovated in 2025, the Explore Spa combines thalassotherapy, new treatments, and VIP areas with Mediterranean views. It features seawater pools, a hammam, a backlit salt bed cabin, facial and body treatments, Ayurvedic therapies, and massages for couples or in-room. The spa is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm by appointment, and a Technogym fitness room operates 24 hours a day.

Pool, beach, and dining

For dining, La Terrassa del Mar serves breakfast through dinner, D.O. offers Mediterranean cuisine with an extensive wine list, and the Sant Salvador Beach Club sets its tables right on the sand. The hotel also features an outdoor swimming pool and 1,173 sq m of meeting space.