Abano Grand Hotel

In a world that’s increasingly full of inventive little boutique hotels, it’s easy to lose sight of the traditional strengths of the classic grand hotel. And while the Abano Grand Hotel might not spend much time on the covers of the contemporary design magazines, it’s something of a beacon for spa-goers from Padua and the Veneto, who flock to the town of Abano Terme in search of some healing waters and some old-fashioned five-star luxury.

The surrounding parkland sets a stately mood, as does the hotel’s fairly majestic wedding-cake facade, and while the exterior is all 20th century, the interiors take on a Baroque aspect, festooned with marble, parquet floors and antique furnishings and chandeliers. It’s a conservative look, to be sure, but for more than a few travelers this style is the essence of upscale hospitality.

And whatever your tastes, there’s no arguing with the Abano’s creature comforts. Restaurants include one fine dining room and one more casual poolside eatery, and a terrace bar is the natural setting for an aperitivo. Pools number no fewer than three, of outdoor, indoor and thermal varieties. And those healing waters are the centerpiece of the Abano’s spa program, where modern treatments meet the classic medicinal approach, and all of Padua lines up to take the cure.