Thermal bliss: 9 breathtaking European spas with stunning designs for your next wellness getaway

Paris, France

In the heart of Paris lies a special address where authentic French character meets a unique atmosphere: Hôtel d’Aubusson. Originally a townhouse dating back to the 17th century, it is situated in the famous Saint-Germain-des-Prés area of the 6th arrondissement. The hotel’s interiors preserve the original charms of the past, featuring a monumental fireplace in Burgundy stone, Versailles parquet and exquisite Aubusson tapestry, all harmoniously combined with a modern spa area for a pampering total-body relaxation experience.

With 4,305 sq ft dedicated to well-being and exclusively reserved for in-house guests, it boasts one of the largest hotel swimming pools in Paris, alongside a steam room, sauna, Scandinavian shower, ice fountain and balneotherapy facilities. A variety of massage and facial treatments is available, using only Le Labo products for the body and Phytomer for the face. The professionalism of the therapists ensures that guests enjoy a serene and rejuvenating experience.

Madrid, Spain

With 21 spacious suites, two penthouses and breathtaking views of the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral and Gran Vía street, the Madrid Edition hotel boasts stylishly modern decor and posh detailing by Ian Schrager. The establishment features the restaurant Oroya, helmed by Peruvian chef Diego Muñoz, alongside its award-winning cocktail bar and The Roof, an unparalleled rooftop terrace that will enhance your stay.

The spa and beauty area provide a tranquil escape, featuring a cosy and intimate space adorned with dark timber and antique baroque candelabras. Within this serene setting, various treatment rooms offer a menu of indulgent therapies, including the Edition signature massage using the hotel’s exclusive Le Labo oil.

This five-sense wellness experience caters to both in-house guests and day visitors who trust in the excellence of products from Spanish brand Natura Bissé. It’s an invitation to relax and enjoy private time in one of the most special areas of the city.

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Milan, Italy

Milan is always a good idea—whether for shopping, concerts, exhibitions, or exploring the many facets of this vibrant modern city. The premier destination to book is the Excelsior Hotel Gallia. The original building of this 5-star luxury hotel, a majestic example of art deco, was officially inaugurated in 1932, later enhanced by a striking modern steel-and-glass tower designed by Marco Piva.

In addition to its elegant halls and luxuriously furnished rooms, the hotel features the Gallia Health Club & Shiseido Spa Milan. Spanning approximately 10,764 sq ft across the top two floors, it combines the prestige of the Shiseido brand with breathtaking views of the city.

The Shiseido Spa offers an impressive menu of treatments, including massages, facial therapies, Japanese bath ceremonies and hydrotherapy baths. Guests can also indulge in an exclusive Himalayan pink salt cabin with a relaxation area, a private spa suite, and a large indoor panoramic pool. This luxurious retreat ensures that visitors will get to experience the ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation sessions in one of Milan’s most exquisite settings.

Baden-Baden, Germany

The ancient Romans referred to this city as Aquae Aureliae, and from 1931 onwards, it has been known simply as Baden. Today, it is celebrated as Baden-Baden, one of Germany’s most renowned thermal centres. A must-visit is the Friedrichsbad, established in 1877, which features thermal waters and boasts a stunning cupola adorned with exquisite decorations above one of its bathing areas.

The thermal water varies in temperature, ensuring exceptional therapeutic benefits for the body. Guests can also opt for a private room with an aqua thermal bath, elegantly decorated with antique ceramics, and indulge in full-body and aroma oil massages as part of the experience. Notably, American writer Mark Twain once remarked: “Here, at the Friedrichsbad in Baden-Baden, after 10 minutes you forget about time, and after 20 minutes, the world.”

Killarney, Ireland

A luxury five-star establishment where you can indulge in the ultimate escape amid the majestic Kerry landscape, on the shores of Lough Léin lake: welcome to The Europe Hotel & Resort, a “stay that will stay with you forever”, as the hotel confidently claims.

With an exceptional level of comfort, warm hospitality and extraordinary facilities complemented by stunning water views, this hotel also features a large spa in collaboration with the beauty brand Espa, which has created a collection of powerful and effective signature treatments for the Irish retreat.

The 50,000 sq ft spa features 16 treatment rooms, two express beauty suites, and a private spa suite for two. Guests can also enjoy outdoor pools and a thermal suite equipped with a sauna, steam room, ice fountain and heated loungers, ensuring wellness and serenity during their stay.

Hook, United Kingdom

Just an hour from London, in a sprawling 177-hectare estate in Hampshire, lies the newly opened spa at Heckfield Place, called The Bothy by Wildsmith. Designed by the estate owner Gerald Chan, the spa blends seamlessly with the house’s grand Georgian architecture. Based on nature’s circadian rhythm, The Bothy replaces the traditional music often heard at such venues with sounds recorded from the estate grounds.

From restorative treatments using locally sourced ingredients to cold-water lake immersion therapy, you’ll feel fully engrossed in the landscape while enjoying a total body cure with a variety of treatments from head to feet. Inside the spa, phones and children are not allowed, ensuring peace and quiet for guests as they reconnect with the healing power of nature.

Weggis, Switzerland

Spanish-born physician Henri Chenot, a leading authority in nutrition, psychology, biology, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture in Europe, was famed for the “Chenot Method”—a pioneering preventive medical approach aimed at prolonging human life.

Since his passing in 2020, thousands have been drawn to Chenot Palace Weggis, a stunning retreat on the shores of Lake Lucerne at the foot of the Swiss Alps, celebrated as one of the premier detox destinations in the world. This luxurious medical spa offers a standard seven-day stay that includes comprehensive consultations with an expert team of doctors, nutritionists and therapists.

Guests can indulge in a diverse range of massages and facials while also enjoying rejuvenating activities such as yoga sessions and aquatherapy.

Mystras, Greece

Nestled on a hill in the Peloponnese, the five-star Euphoria Retreat—A Holistic Wellbeing Destination Spa boasts a unique design inspired by Byzantine architecture. Far removed from the bustling Greek coast, it is the perfect sanctuary to immerse yourself in relaxation rituals. The retreat offers a variety of beauty and detox treatments, ranging from a three-day Well-Being Detox to a 21-day Metabolic Weight Management Programme.

The expansive spa spans over 32,291 sq ft and features a Byzantine hammam, a salt treatment room, a hydrotherapy pool, a marble steam room and swimming pools.

The dedicated staff provide comprehensive guidance to help you find the right programme, whether it’s emotional rebalancing, fitness improvement, or spiritual centring. The restaurant, meanwhile, offers a menu tailored to your dietary requirements, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Taygetus mountain range.

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