From Austria to Switzerland, Germany to Turkey, these four European spa resorts stand out from competitors for their fabulous locations and stellar services.
1. Zermatt, Switzerland – The Omnia
Built into a rock in the center of Zermatt village, The Omnia has an elegant mountain luxe vibe and service as perfect as the views. The boutique hotel’s rooms and suites feature contemporary alpine décor, blissfully comfy beds and bourbon in crystal decanters that guests can sip from gratis throughout their stay. Book a “double with mountain bathroom” for a stand-alone tub surrounded by windows and mountain views in all directions. It’s divine.
The Omnia’s wellness center is exceptional. There’s a showstopping indoor/outdoor swimming pool and hot tub with Matterhorn and village views lit by candles after dark, amping up the romantic ambiance. The spa menu is lengthy and the massages are excellent. Try the Omnia Signature Massage, which uses hot stones collected from the Matterhorn and an herbal oil tincture to relax the muscles.
2. Kitzbuhel, Austria – Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt
If saunas, steam rooms and cold plunges are your favorite part of a spa experience, don’t miss Austria’s Bio Hotel Stanglwirt outside the chic ski town of Kitzbuhel. Its sauna and wellness complex boasts around a dozen dry saunas of varying temps, steam rooms, salt caves, hot tubs, swimming pools and a natural alpine lake. There are different sections for adults and families, so you don’t have to intermingle. The extensive spa menu features a range of massage, facial and body treatments. The spa also works with Dr. Barbara Sturm, who performs non-surgical facelifts and Botox treatments.
Set against a backdrop that looks like The Sound of Music set, the historic resort faces the craggy Wilder Kaiser mountains and has an alpine chalet vibe. Beyond the spa, you can partake in everything from tennis to riding lessons on Austria’s magnificent Lipizzaner horses. The resort has a stable and stud farm onsite.
3. Bodrum, Turkey – The Bodrum Edition
Located in the trendiest town on Turkey’s glorious Turquoise Coast, The Bodrum Edition boasts one of the country’s best spas. It offers a wide range of services from Thai fusion massage to lifting collagen facials in eight treatment rooms and outdoor cabanas with Aegean Sea views. You can also book a traditional Turkish hammam, an ancient Ottoman body treatment that uses a special glove and cleansing soap massage to remove dead skin cells in a white marble room.
The five-star hotel is soothing and modern throughout. You’ll also want to spend some time at the infinity pool, on the beach or enjoying a meal at one of the two excellent restaurants.
Photography: Shutterstock / Roman Babakin.
4. Baden-Baden, Germany – Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa
Baden-Baden is famed for its thermal baths and springs and stunning Black Forest location, and it offers a wonderful med-spa experience at Brenner’s Park-Hotel & Spa. The 104-room, grand dame property is more than 140 years old and has hosted everyone from royalty to celebrities. It exudes classic country house charm, and its individually decorated rooms have spacious balconies and marble baths.
The spa, Villa Stéphanie, has 14 rooms and serene nature and garden views. Here you’ll find a long list of treatments from anti-aging Sisley facials to four-hand Abhyanga massages. But many people come to see Dr. Harry König, who runs his integrative medical practice from the hotel’s Medical Center. He is known for combining preventative naturopathy with modern medicine. The center also offers aesthetic dentistry.
