Spa Bathroom

The client had recently purchased the Puerto Banús penthouse as a pied-à-terre and was emphatic: the master bathroom needed to feel like a 5-star hotel spa, not a residential bathroom. The existing space was functional but dispiriting — green 20×20 cm ceramic tiles on every surface, a corner whirlpool bath with jets that no longer worked, a dated double vanity unit with plastic-framed mirrors, and a shower cubicle with an aluminium-framed door. Our project manager's initial site assessment identified two structural factors: first, the concrete slab above had a service void of 180 mm — enough to recess the Grohe ceiling shower head completely flush; second, the existing drainage was correctly positioned for a new freestanding bath with a floor-waste drain, avoiding any structural slab cutting.

Technical Specifications

The showroom session for this project was particularly detailed because marble, by nature, varies between blocks. We arranged for three Statuario Venato slab pairs to be placed side by side in our showroom under natural and artificial lighting so the client could evaluate the veining pattern, the book-match effect, and the background colour tone. The selected pair — Statuario Venato Extra from CDK Stone — has a luminous white background with fine grey veining and occasional gold mineral deposits that catch warm light. The Villeroy & Boch Theano freestanding bathtub (170×75 cm, Quaryl composite) was chosen over a cast iron alternative for its lighter weight and warmer surface texture. The Grohe Allure Brilliant tap and shower collection in matte black was selected because the geometric faceted profile appears distinctly different from standard round tapware, reinforcing the luxury positioning.

Technical Specifications

Before any finishing material was applied, the entire bathroom was tanked to BS 8000-11 standards. The floor received a Schlüter Ditra-Heat electric underfloor heating mat (150 W/m², 9.6 m² coverage, thermostat set at 30°C) laid over the concrete slab and embedded in a notched trowel adhesive bed. The Ditra membrane acts simultaneously as the uncoupling layer (preventing tile cracking from slab movement) and as the heating substrate. All wall and floor junctions received a Mapei Mapelastic waterproof membrane — two coats, with reinforcing fabric embedded at the first coat — extending 200 mm up the walls from the floor. The shower zone walls received an additional tanking slurry coat (Weber.tec Superflex 10) to guarantee zero moisture penetration behind the marble panels. The ceiling service void was fully plumbed for the Grohe ceiling head before boarding was closed.

Technical Specifications

The book-matched Statuario Venato marble was installed as 900×600 mm cut panels on a Mapei Ultralite S1 white polymer adhesive, using suction cup lifters to position each 28 kg panel precisely. The book-match sequence was maintained across all four walls: each pair of panels mirrors the veining symmetrically at every joint. Floor tiles are 600×600 mm from the same marble block, laid in a grid with 1.5 mm joints to create a continuous stone field from wall to wall. The marble soffit tiles — applied to the ceiling — are 300×600 mm, fixed with epoxy adhesive for complete security overhead. After a 72-hour curing period before grouting, all joints were filled with Mapei Ultracolor Plus white in 1.5 mm width. The Villeroy & Boch Theano bathtub was positioned on adjustable feet and levelled to ±0.5 mm, then the matte black Grohe floor-standing bath filler was connected. The WC and basin were wall-hung on concealed-cistern Geberit frames, with the flush plate and basin waste also in matte black to maintain the monochrome palette.

Technical Specifications

The lighting design was critical to the spa ambience. Three circuits were wired independently on trailing-edge dimmers: a recessed GU10 grid (12 × Philips CorePro 2700 K) for functional light; a warm LED strip (2700 K, 8 W/m, CRI 95) running in a continuous channel around the ceiling perimeter for indirect ambient glow; and dedicated mirror lighting via a Roper Rhodes Insight backlit mirror (1200×700 mm, 3000 K, touch-dimmer, anti-fog). The backlit mirror creates a floating luminous rectangle above the double vanity that is both functional and decorative. All light switches are Gira E2 black to match the tapware. A final fragrance diffuser niche was recessed into the marble wall beside the bath — a 300×200×100 mm void with a marble shelf — at the client's specific request. Towel warming was provided by a Zehnder Spa chrome ladder radiator (600×1500 mm, 750 W) connected to the central heating circuit.

Technical Specifications

Every Magnum Reformas project begins with a free site visit from a dedicated project manager — no obligation, within 48 hours of enquiry. We provide a fully itemised fixed-price quote: every line of work is listed, nothing is hidden. Once approved, our team manages every trade on site so you never coordinate subcontractors yourself. A dedicated WhatsApp group keeps you updated with photos and videos throughout. At handover, we walk you through every installation and leave you a full documentation pack.

Technical Specifications