Pools and spas
Since I became an expat I started to appreciate the benefits of a good spa in Austria. I didn’t know much about the concept in the first place.
In Romania I only went to public baths during communism and as a kid I had a lot of fun. But they were available only in summer in my hometown. And they provided only the basic facilities.
Since then a lot of progress has been made. And the offer has increased but because I do not live there I can not explore them.
In Romania there is Black Sea and if you want to splash for a few days you tend to go there. Although there are also mountain resorts that take advantage of hot springs.
LAA therme and silent spa in Austria
The first experience with a spa in Austria was Therme Laa. I went there because it was closer to Brno and it was recommended to us. The distance between Brno and Therme Laa is under a hour by car. So we left in the morning and returned in the same day. But the place includes also a hotel so you can sleep there too. Which might not be a bad idea. Because after a day spent in the pools and spa you feel like sleeping.
Once you arrive there you get a bracelet and a locker where you can leave your stuff. For one the facilities are very nice an clean.
The water temperature has different degrees depending on the pools. There are indoor and outdoor pools and a special ones for kids. And when you get hungry you can eat at the restaurant. The prices are not so bad and you have a few choices.
And if you forgot to bring something you can buy it from the small shops in the building.
St.Martins Therme and Spa in Austria
Another place which we liked and we visited a few times while we relocate to Bratislava was St.Martins Therme. It takes under one hour to get there from Bratislava. And the place is very similar to the one in Laa, the same concept anyway. They are part of the same chain of resorts. They have pools for all categories and of course water toboggans.
One of my favorite things in this place are the family bed-chairs. You can easily fit in them two adults and one-two small kids. They offer a bit of privacy and you can take a nap if you feel like. If you really want one you need to get there early. There are plenty of standard chairs in case you can not get them.
If you like saunas like I do then you have a few choices as well. Please be aware that most Austrians go to sauna naked. In other places I tried they usually provided a white sheet but I didn’t see them in St.Martins or Laa. You might want to bring one from home if you are a reserved person. The same applies for towels, although you can rent those.
Spa in Austria and what you should know
- You can use Dinners card points to get FREE tickets
- The children areas are quite interesting and can keep the kids entertained all day long. Aside from pools they have other areas organized for kids.
- I understood that you can organize events there as well: from business meeting to weddings
- Do not worry about parking! There were always free spots every time we went. But they have private parking as well.
- They offer some active program and even safari at St.Martins
I believe these two places are great all year long. When the weather is bad the thermal outdoor pools are amazing. And when the weather turns nice you can always have a swim, join some active program or just laze around the pool. The last being one of my favorite! 🙂 And the most important you have something for everybody. Meaning that you can go as a family, group of friends or a couple and enjoy it each time!
Have a relaxing time!
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