Madrid is experiencing the most intense luxury hotel cycle in its recent history. 86% of investors plan to maintain or increase their exposure to the hotel sector by 2026, and the scarcity of prime assets in the capital is driving the repositioning of existing buildings and the development of new luxury hotels. The pipeline of upcoming openings includes projects such as the Radisson Collection Madrid in the Generali building at Alcalá 21 and a five-star Ilunion Hotels property in the city center.

The residential sector is moving in the same direction. Madrid tops the BARNES City Index 2026, and branded residences have established themselves as the most sought-after format among high-net-worth international buyers. One of the year's most talked-about projects—completed in 2026 in the Salamanca district—offers residents a wellness area featuring a 20-meter indoor pool, a heated outdoor pool, a spa, and massage rooms.

In this market, the wellness area is no longer merely a supplementary service. It is a key factor influencing the price per night and value per square meter, as well as a means of differentiation against competition that grows every quarter. At Freixanet Wellness, backed by over 50 years of expertise, we design, custom-manufacture, and build spas and wellness areas in Madrid for luxury hotels, premium residential developments, and private clubs.

Why a spa in Madrid requires a different approach

An urban spa is not designed in the same way as a holiday resort spa. In Madrid, most luxury projects are developed within existing buildings, many of which are listed properties. Mercer Hoteles, for instance, is set to open its first five-star hotel in Madrid in a renovated, protected building. That context shapes every technical decision:

• Below-grade space. Spas are often located in basements or on ground floors, requiring precise solutions for ventilation, dehumidification, and lighting so that guests do not feel as though they are underground.
• Structural loads. An indoor pool or hydrotherapy basin adds tons of weight to floor slabs not originally designed for such loads. Structural calculations and material selection are determined before the first line of the interior design is even drawn.
• Heritage preservation. In listed buildings, facilities must coexist with protected facades, courtyards, and architectural elements without altering them.
• Spatial constraints. Columns, beams, low ceilings, interior courtyards, or irregular floor plans. In renovation projects, the space rarely accommodates standard, off-the-shelf equipment; instead, the equipment must be adapted to the building.
• Continental climate. Cold, dry winters and very hot summers. The thermal circuit must serve as a year-round sanctuary, while terraces and rooftops can incorporate plunge pools or contrast zones that would make little sense in other cities.
• The urban guest. Guests at city hotels have less time than those at resorts. A spa in Madrid must offer intense experiences within a 60- to 90-minute window, featuring a well-sequenced circuit and treatment rooms that ensure efficient turnover.

Our process: from business analysis to implementation

1. Consulting. Before designing, we research the property's current or target guest profile, its ADR, and the available budget. Based on this data, we define the type of spa that makes business sense: a compact, high-turnover thermal circuit, a destination spa with an extensive treatment menu, or a private wellness area for residents.
2. Design. Layout, circulation paths, the heat-cold-rest sequence, materials, and lighting. The design integrates the hotel brand’s or developer’s identity to ensure the spa is cohesive with the rest of the building.
3. Engineering and coordination. HVAC, dehumidification, water treatment, structural calculations, and compliance with the Technical Building Code and health regulations for public-use pools. From the project planning phase, we coordinate the various systems (plumbing, electrical, ventilation, HVAC, and controls) and the trades involved in construction to anticipate conflicts and avoid on-the-fly resolutions—which invariably cost more time and money.
4. In-house, custom manufacturing. Saunas, steam rooms, sensory showers, ice fountains, and hydrotherapy equipment are designed and manufactured in our workshop for each specific project. We work from the space's actual dimensions rather than a catalog, allowing us to utilize irregular spaces, accommodate height limitations, and fit every piece within the building's structural constraints. In renovation projects, this capability makes the difference between adapting the project to a standard product and adapting the product to the project.
5. Construction. Execution of works, waterproofing, finishes, and assembly, coordinated with the project's site management team
6. Equipment and commissioning. Final installation, testing, spa team training, and post-opening support.

Key zones of a luxury wellness area in Madrid

Every project is unique, but the most successful spas in the capital typically combine:

• Thermal circuit: Finnish sauna, steam room or hammam, sensory showers, and an ice fountain.
• Indoor pool or hydrotherapy pool  featuring bubble beds, neck massage jets, and counter-current systems.
• Treatment rooms—both single and double—including at least one private suite for couples' experiences or signature treatments.
• Relaxation area with heated loungers and natural light (or lighting that simulates it)
• Gym and movement areas connected to the spa—amenities increasingly in demand among business travelers.
• Outdoor spaces on rooftops or in courtyards—such as cold plunge pools, Jacuzzis, or solariums—where the building layout permits.

Three types of projects we see in Madrid:

Five-star hotels in historic buildings. Locations include the city center, Barrio de las Letras, Gran Vía, and Canalejas. The challenge lies in fitting a full-service spa into a constrained, existing volume without compromising the guest experience. Custom manufacturing allows every sauna, steam room, and pool to be tailored to the available space, rather than scaling back the spa program to accommodate standard equipment.

Business and conference hotels. Locations include Paseo de la Castellana, AZCA, and the areas surrounding IFEMA and the airport. The spa serves as a key selling point against the competition and as a space for recovery for short-stay guests and frequent travelers.

Branded residences and luxury residential developments. Locations include Salamanca, Chamberí, Almagro, La Moraleja, and Pozuelo. Branded residences incorporate amenities such as personalized concierge services, round-the-clock security, spa facilities, and smart home technology. For the developer, a hotel-quality wellness area is a key element in differentiating and positioning the project.

Why a Turnkey Project Instead of Multiple Suppliers?

In a spa, the costliest errors arise at the interfaces between trades: waterproofing that fails to account for steam equipment, a dehumidification system sized without regard for actual usage patterns, or a sauna that does not fit the designated space. When design, engineering, manufacturing, and construction are handled by separate companies, no single party takes responsibility for the project as a whole.

By dealing with a single point of contact, the client gains control over schedules and technical consistency, while ensuring unified accountability for the final outcome. In Madrid—where opening deadlines are tight and renovation projects involving listed buildings leave little room for improvisation—this distinction translates directly into savings in both time and cost.

Over 50 years of building spas—including in Madrid

Freixanet Wellness is a family-owned company with more than five decades of experience dedicated to the design, manufacturing, and construction of spas. We have delivered projects for chains such as Meliá, Iberostar, Barceló, H10, NH, Guitart, and Unico across Spain, Europe, and Latin America.

In the Madrid region, we have designed and built wellness areas for some of the area's premier sports facilities:

• The Royal Spanish Football Federation’s *Ciudad del Fútbol* (Football City) in Las Rozas.
• Físico Majadahonda, one of the top sports centers in Majadahonda..
• Ciudad Deportiva Valdelasfuentes, in Alcobendas.

These are spaces where physical recovery, heavy daily use, and the durability of materials and installations demand the same high standards as the user experience itself. We apply this same level of technical rigor to every hotel, residential project, or private club that places its trust in us.

FAQs about building wellness areas in Madrid

How long does it take to build a hotel spa in Madrid?

It depends on the floor area, the condition of the building, and the project scope. A thermal circuit in an existing hotel can be completed in a few months, whereas a full spa with a pool in a building undergoing renovation is planned alongside the overall construction schedule. The consulting phase allows for realistic timelines to be established from the start. 

Can a spa be built in a protected building in Madrid?

Yes. It requires a design that respects listed architectural elements and specific technical solutions regarding ventilation, structural loads, and waterproofing. Custom manufacturing allows saunas, steam rooms, and equipment to be adapted to spaces with irregular layouts.

What areas should a wellness facility in a luxury urban hotel include?

At a minimum: a thermal circuit with a sauna, steam room, experience showers, and ice fountain; a hydrotherapy zone; treatment rooms; and a relaxation area. The final selection depends on the guest profile, the ADR (Average Daily Rate), and the available space.

Does Freixanet Wellness design and build spas for branded residences in Madrid?

Yes. We develop wellness areas for luxury residential developments and branded residences, adhering to design and equipment standards equivalent to those of a five-star hotel.

What are the advantages of a turnkey spa project?

Having a single point of responsibility for design, engineering, manufacturing, and construction. This reduces technical risks between trades, simplifies coordination, and gives the property owner control over timelines and the budget.

Does Freixanet Wellness manufacture its own spa equipment?

Yes. We manufacture saunas, steam rooms, experience showers, ice fountains, and hydrotherapy equipment, allowing us to tailor every element to the specific space and project concept.