OVIEDO — Steeped in history and nestled in the lush, green valleys of Asturias just eight kilometers from Oviedo, Blau Las Caldas Villa Termal marked a monumental milestone this past Thursday. The historic thermal complex celebrated its 250th anniversary, commemorating the opening of its original bathhouse along the banks of the Nalón River in 1776.
The high-profile anniversary event brought together a distinguished assembly of institutional leaders, business titans, and sports figures. Together, they honored a quarter-millennium of heritage, luxury, and holistic health, cementing Las Caldas’ enduring legacy as a premier cornerstone of Spanish thermalism.
Main Facts: A Landmark Celebration of Heritage and Hospitality
The commemorative gala was spearheaded by Jordi Rosselló, President of Blau Hotels (Grupo Roxa), alongside José Velasco, CEO of Blau Hotels, and other key members of the executive leadership team. They hosted an elite guest list that featured some of the most prominent figures in regional politics, business, and athletics.
Among the high-ranking authorities in attendance were:
Alfredo Canteli, Mayor of Oviedo.
Lara Martínez, Vice-Minister of Tourism for the Principality of Asturias.
Guiomar García Llano, General Director of Hospitality, Tourism, and Congresses for the City Council of Oviedo.
Jorge Ignacio Moreno, Chief Superior of the National Police in Asturias.
Francisco Javier López Alegre, Lieutenant Colonel Chief of Operations.
The business and sports sectors were equally well-represented by Javier Martínez, President of OTEA (Asturian Hospitality and Tourism Association); Carlos Paniceros, President of the Oviedo Chamber of Commerce; Daniel García, President of Oviedo Congress; Martín Peláez, President of Real Oviedo; and Fernando Vilabella, President of the Oviedo Basketball Club. Media executives, congress tourism stakeholders, and a special delegation of Mallorcan guests who traveled to Oviedo for the occasion rounded out the crowd.
In his keynote address, Jordi Rosselló reflected on the profound significance of the anniversary—not just for the corporate entity, but for the regional identity of Asturias as a whole.
"Today we are not just commemorating the 250 years of a hotel. Today we pay tribute to an institution that forms an integral part of the history of the Principality of Asturias and the history of tourism in Spain," Rosselló stated.
The Grupo Roxa president emphasized that taking ownership of Las Caldas carries a profound duty to safeguard a heritage tied to generations of Asturians and international travelers alike. "Buildings can be bought, but history never can. History is received, protected, respected, and transmitted," he underscored, outlining the Rosselló family’s long-term commitment to the complex.
Chronology: From 18th-Century Neoclassicism to Modern Luxury
The remarkable story of Las Caldas begins deep underground, anchored by a thermal spring that continues to naturally gush water at approximately 40°C (104°F) in virtually the exact location where its therapeutic properties were first harnessed in the 18th century.
The Neoclassical Genesis (1776)
The original Casa de Baños (Bathhouse) was commissioned and constructed by the renowned architect Manuel Reguera, working from an elegant neoclassical design crafted by the master architect Ventura Rodríguez. This initial structure laid the architectural foundation for what would become a premier wellness destination.
19th-Century Expansion and Golden Age
Throughout the 19th century, as the popularity of "taking the waters" swept across Europe, the complex underwent successive expansions. To accommodate the surging influx of bathers, architects and designers incorporated stunning architectural marvels that remain defining features of the resort’s identity today. These include:
The Hall of Mirrors (Sala de los Espejos)
The Iron and Glass Walkway
The Casino, erected in the late 19th century to provide leisure and social diversion for the resort’s affluent patrons.
Modern Revival and the Grupo Roxa Era
Following various historical phases and ownership shifts, a comprehensive, multi-million-euro rehabilitation breathed new life into the complex, successfully restoring its historic thermal vocation.
A pivotal chapter in its modern history began when the property was integrated into Blau Hotels, marking the historic first foray into the Spanish mainland for the family-owned, Mallorca-based Grupo Roxa. Founded 84 years ago by Jordi Rosselló Andreu in a modest Mallorcan tailoring shop, the group has evolved into a hospitality powerhouse anchored by a deeply human-centric philosophy. "Companies do not make people: it is people who make companies," Rosselló remarked during the gala, honoring the workforce behind the brand’s success.
Today, the sprawling 40,000-square-meter property encompasses two distinct hotels:
Blau Gran Hotel Las Caldas: A five-star luxury property situated directly within the historic architectural core.
Blau Hotel Las Caldas: A contemporary four-star establishment catering to families, wellness seekers, and active travelers.
These are complemented by the historic Balneario Real (Royal Spa) and the cutting-edge Aquaxana ecothermal space, which bridge the gap between historic therapeutic traditions and modern hydrothermal science.
Supporting Data: A Multi-Disciplinary Haven for Wellness and Elite Sports
While Las Caldas remains firmly rooted in its 250-year-old spa legacy, its contemporary identity is defined by diversification. Over the past few decades, the resort has seamlessly integrated advanced health, physical fitness, and medical wellness services into its portfolio.
This forward-thinking evolution has significantly broadened the resort’s demographic reach. Beyond traditional wellness tourists seeking relaxation and mineral-rich hydrotherapy, Las Caldas has carved out a stellar reputation as a high-performance training ground for elite athletes and sports organizations.
The resort’s credentials at the highest competitive level are perhaps best validated by its frequent selection as a training and recovery sanctuary for top-tier professional entities—most notably hosting the Spain National Football Team (La Selección Española de Fútbol). Additionally, the property draws a steady stream of professional cycling teams, individual endurance athletes, cyclists, and hikers who utilize the valley’s rugged terrain for training and the thermal baths for optimal muscle recovery.
This strategic pivot toward sports tourism is not isolated; it forms a core pillar of Grupo Roxa’s broader corporate strategy, mirrored in their Balearic properties such as Blau Colònia Sant Jordi and Blau Punta Reina.
Official Responses: Institutional Acclaim for a Regional Treasure
The celebration elicited glowing tributes from regional and municipal leaders, who praised the current management for balancing modernization with historical preservation.
OTEA: Praising Excellence and Heritage
Javier Martínez, President of OTEA, took the opportunity to commend the resort on its monumental milestone:
"Congratulations to Blau Las Caldas Villa Termal for your 250 years of history, recognizing your masterful capacity to preserve your rich monumental and thermal heritage while consolidating yourself as the great benchmark of luxury and contemporary tourist excellence in Asturias—endorsed at the highest level by guests such as the Spanish National Football Team. Thank you for your daily effort, your relentless commitment to quality, and for continuing to elevate the destination of Asturias day by day."
Asturian Tourism: A Model of "Respeturismo"
Lara Martínez, Vice-Minister of Tourism for the Principality of Asturias, highlighted how the resort aligns with regional sustainability and preservation goals:
"Las Caldas is a clear example of the ‘respeturismo’ (respectful tourism) that we defend and promote from Asturias: a model that preserves the natural, architectural, and traditional heritage that we want to leave as an inheritance to future generations."
Oviedo City Council: Roots, Identity, and Future Vision
Alfredo Canteli, Mayor of Oviedo, delivered a heartfelt tribute emphasizing the deep emotional and cultural ties between the city and the balneario:
"Reaching this point means that Las Caldas has known how to do something very important: maintain its roots, preserve its essence, and know how to look toward the future. This spa forms part of the history of Oviedo, of our heritage, of our identity, and of this wealth that we often have so close that perhaps we are not fully aware of its value. It is the result of a history spanning two and a half centuries linked to water, well-being, nature, and our city’s capacity to attract and welcome visitors."
Canteli concluded with a direct nod to the property’s current stewards: "I want to make a special recognition to Blau Hotels for their commitment to Las Caldas and to Oviedo, and for having known how to understand the enormous potential that this complex has. Thank you for having believed in our city."
Implications: A Long-Term Vision for Generations to Come
As the gala drew to a close, the overarching theme of the evening was clear: stewardship over mere ownership. For the Rosselló family, the management of Las Caldas is measured not by quarterly financial statements, but by generational endurance.
"We do not think about the next fiscal year. We think about the next generation," Jordi Rosselló asserted, summarizing the family’s operational ethos.
This philosophy was distilled into three core guiding principles for the future of Las Caldas:
Innovate without forgetting the past.
Grow without losing the core essence.
Invest with a permanent focus on the long-term.
By marrying a pristine 250-year-old neoclassical architectural legacy with modern luxury, ecothermal innovation, and elite sports science, Blau Las Caldas Villa Termal stands uniquely positioned at the dawn of its next century. Situated just minutes from Oviedo, across its sprawling 40,000 square meters of nature, health, and wellness, Las Caldas proves that history—when properly respected, protected, and loved—is not merely a record of the past, but a vibrant, breathing foundation for the future of European hospitality.
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