The use of water for therapeutic means dates back to antique tribes that lived in caverns. They observed how animals, when sick or injured, go to hot or mineral water springs to heal. If we date to the Greeks, Ulysses mentioned the pleasures of thermal waters. Heracles’ power of healing through water made his Roman equal, Hercules, be named with a synonym of "balnea", place of thermal healing. During this time, thermal water centers were called asclepiads, which comes from "Asclepio", god of medicine. They were considered blessed sites…healing was based on faith.

We find vestiges of extraordinary constructions of public thermal baths in most large cities of the Roman Empire. As the empire itself, the thermal culture extended through Europe, up to Galicia, where the Romans found a thermal paradise.

During the Middle Ages, hydrotherapy lost importance as the cult to the body was considered a sin. But later in the XV and XVI centuries, when people had access to reading, the first book on hydrotherapy appeared in 1498… "De Balneis et Thermis" by Juan Miguel Savonarola.

In the following centuries, hydrotherapy gained more adepts. The splendor of hydrotherapy occurred in the XX century, when the social circumstances and the scientific discoveries led to a better understanding of the benefits of this therapy. Today, the accelerated rhythm of modern civilizations, and the stress this brings about, awakened a special interest for thermal therapies.

The need for relax and the boom of aesthetics have brought about the development of a new technique called SPA, which comes from the Latin "Salutem per aqua" (health through water). SPAs are places where aesthetic and relax treatments are carried out through the use of water, usually enriched with additives. SPAs also offer a diversity of treatments with clay, aromatherapy, medicinal plants and massages. La Mirage Spa additionally offers a therapy that combines the ancestral knowledge of a native witch-doctor (Shaman).

Ecuador, home to several active volcanoes, has extraordinary thermal waters that naturally sprout from hot springs, with high temperatures and rich in minerals. As an energetic center in the middle of the world, Ecuador has also become a special site for the development of modern and sophisticated SPAs. Both thermal waters and SPAs are a treat… an escape from stress of the busy world of today… an opportunity to indulge oneself and renovate both the body and the spirit.

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	Arasha Rainforest Resort & Spa Arasha Resort & Spa is located less than two hours from Quito in the middle of the richest, most biodiverse "Hot Spot" on the globe. It is about 10 minutes in car from Pedro Vicente Maldonado. With its ecologically sensitive bungalows, ARASHÁ offers its guests a glimpse at the richness and tranquility of this most fragile region combined with the finest in tropical comfort. Arasha has 60 bungalows. The bungalows are all separately situated on the ground of Arasha. All rooms have a private bathroom with hot showers.	USD 680 pp Includes breakfast & taxes
	Hacienda & Spa La Banda La Banda is 10 min away from Chachimbiro Hot Springs, and 30 min away from Otavalo, Lake Cuicocha and Lake San Pablo. The history of the Hacienda La Banda dates back to the pre-Inca period. In the underground of this hacienda, craft pieces were found, which according to archeological studies belonged to cultures prior to the Inca conquest. The upper lands of La Banda were sacred lands where they were sites of adoration to Gods. Hacienda La Banda currently has 15 double rooms, 4 triple rooms and 1 luxury/Family suite.	USD 88 pp Includes breakfast & taxes
	Hotel SPA La Mirage La Mirage is a contemporary resort built on the grounds of a 200 year old hacienda and is situated near Otavalo about a 1,5 hours drive to the north of Quito. La Mirage Garden Hotel and Spa is the only five star hotel in the province of Imbabura and the only member of the elite international Relais & Chateaux Chain in the entire country. The hotel has 23 large, exquisitely furnished and unique rooms and suites – no two alike - all with an eclectic blend of local and European Pieces of Art.	USD 671 pp Includes breakfast & taxes
	SPA Resort Termas de Papallacta Termas de Papallacta Spa & Resort is located about 67 kilometers east of the city of Quito, only at one and a half hour's distance, on the paved Interoceanic Highway on the way to Baeza. This marvelous Spa & Resort is located on the Cinnamon Trail, the same route that Francisco de Orellana took in 1542. However, despite the fact that this place is located in the Ecuadorian Highlands, at an altitude of 3,220 meters, Papallacta is the entry door to the Ecuadorian Amazon Region. You can choose between hotel rooms or bungalows.	USD 159 pp Includes breakfast & taxes
	Hosteria SPA Luna Runtun The Swiss-managed hotel Luna Runtun The Adventure Spa is located just above Baños about 400 m uphill with access to the Amazon Rainforest, the paramos of the high Andes and the rich cultural heritage of the Ecuadorian people. It is nestled within the Sangay National Park, a declared World Natural Heritage Site, and the view is dominated by the legendary Llanaganates National Park and the Pastaza Corridor.Luna Runtun offers 30 beautiful and comfortable rooms and suites for 1 to 4 people.	USD 208 pp Includes breakfast & taxes
	Hotel SPA Swissotel Swissôtel Quito is a luxury non-smoking hotel conveniently located in the commercial and residential area of Quito. The hotel is within easy access to the Old Town and to the airport. The hotel is part of the global hotel management company owned by Raffles International Hotels and Resorts. Each of the properties captures the character of its location and offers the finest of hospitality services. Visitors will find luxury accommodations and a full range of business and leisure amenities and services.	USD 368 pp Includes breakfast & taxes