I forgot to say, we are flying into Frankfurt and drive to Baden-Baden. We are looking for a nice, romantic getaway for a few days. Water (spas) is a big plus but not absolutely necessary. We are looking for scenery, quiet, nice meals, nice hotel. This is in early November. Is Baden-Baden a good place or would you recommend other places within the same driving range from Frankfurt?

all i can tell you is that in the last berlin hotel i was in, a woman came up to me and did not allow me to enter the steam room with my suit on because she claimed it had germs and i was to go nude or not at all. FINITO.

well... at least in switzerland i was allowed to keep my suit on.. while others did not..
but if you are uncomfortable with nudity this is not the country for you.

there are unisex uncutained showers and people just waltz around and have no repressive feelings about it. you get used to it after awhile, but fully participating is another story.(For me)

so.. just so you know.
i doubt your friend will feel comfortable in the spas.

Go in naked but keep the towel wrapped around you. After awhile, you may feel more comfortable with being nude. If not, you still have the towel.

At the main spas at Baden Baden, everyone wears swimming togs in the spa section. It is only the sauna section where nudity is compulsory. Your entry fee gets you into the spa section: the sauna section costs extra. Therefore you can enjoy the baths at Baden Baden without having to resort to nudity.

"At the main spas at Baden Baden, everyone wears swimming togs in the spa section."

I wouldn't count on it. I've seen German tourists in *California* go nude into hotel hot tubs.

I'm curious about this because I'm planning a trip to Germany and spas are high on my list.
I've been reading about the different spas and many of the websites mention nudity in certain sections. Is nudity primarily reserved for steam rooms?
Wouldn't a towel carry as many germs as a swimsuit?
I just want to be properly clothed or unclothed, as needed.
Thanks

Ahem. Wellll...I think I can speak with some 'authority' (however limited and half-baked) on this question, having visited just last May *both* Baden-Baden and Wiesbaden, and having 'taken the waters' in both cities.

First, both B-B and Wiesbaden are convenient train rides from Frankfurt airport -- Weisbaden perhaps a little closer. Both are charming small cities, but B-B has the advantage of being a more carefully-conserved 'destination' spa.

In B-B, there are two spas, the more traditional of which (the Kaiser-Friedrich) is "Textilfrei" -- no swimming togs, total nudity. The genders mix in some of the pools, as well. The other spa (the "Caracalla") allows suits everywhere but the saunas. I didn't visit that one, so don't know precisely whether the saunas are mixed or not.

My stay in Wiesbaden was much shorter, so I had time only to visit the 'traditional' spa in the center of the city. Again, mixed gender and no suits allowed.

Two points I'd like to make: First, the spa experience in Germany is not to be missed. I've never felt so clean, refreshed, relaxed. The interior beauty of the more traditional spas is a delight, as well -- each room (pools, saunas) is a work of art. I can't think of a better way to help overcome any jet-lag than to spend a couple hours soaking and steaming the travel grime and fatigue away.

Second: for the Germans (and I suspect most Euorpeans) group nudity under spa conditions is a complete non-issue. As an American, I know our culture has somehow managed to equate nudity with pornography, with the result that even contemplation of a visit to a place where people are unclothed seems somehow depraved. But let me assure you: No European visitor sharing the spa with you will give a second thought to your state of undress. And after the first 25 seconds, I'll wager you won't either.

Please don't deny yourself the luxury of a spa visit because of this unnecessary hangup.

Fritzrl

We were in Baden-Baden 3 years ago, for the same purpose of a relaxing weekend. The Caracalla was great, with indoor outdoor pools and jets, http://www.carasana.de/home/en/caracalla.html will show you an overview with information. Or google for Caracalla Therme (prices and hours of operation included) Only the sauna area was sans clothing. The city is lovely to walk through, and nice restaurants with a French influence on the food. One of the most relaxing weekends I ever had.

We are frequent visitors to BB, having just been there 3 weeks ago. The Roman-Irish spa is definitely nude (FKK). Some days it's co-ed nude, some days the sexes are segregated.
Caracalla is a swimwear spa except for the top floor sauna.
Don't forget that several hotels have their own spas...we usually stay in the Dorint/Sofitel (next to the Kurhaus and casino), which has its own spa (not nude). Very relaxing.
If you opt for Caracalla, the Quellenhof is a nice hotel to stay in as it's literally a 2 minute walk from Caracalla. You can wear your suits under some sweats and just stroll over (ask the hotel to give you some towels).
Some nice restaurants to try are Amadeus (on Leopoldplatz where it meets Sophienstrasse), the Kurhaus (excellent food, not formal, but not casual either, a good place if you want to try game--venison, boar, pheasant, etc.) , Namaskaar (Indian, very good, reservations suggested as it's quite small) and Cafe Beeg for lunch (very nice, inexpensive specials) and delicious pastries (in the Hotel Beeg on the pedestrian street near Caracalla).

FYI, we stayed at Der Kleine Prinze for part of our trip (we extended our stay and the Dorint and Quellenhof were both booked). Very helpful staff. We had a junior suite on the second to top floor, excellent views. Free Internet access in their little library above their restaurant. They make excellent hot chocolate! We liked it but would prefer the Quellenhof.

The German tourist bureau sent me a little booklet of hotels in small towns, I'm surprised at how many of them have dry saunas and steam rooms. It's beginning to be a prerequisite for any hotel I'd consider. Wow! What a country!
And I'm looking forward to eating at the Kurhaus. I haven't had wild boar yet but I'm game!

I forgot to say thanks for the advice. (Even though I'm not the OP)

Thank you all for your responses. BTilke,Quellenhof seems to be fully booked for our dates. Suprisingly, quite a few hotels are also fully booked, at least on the internet. I haven't tried contacting the hotels directly.

schuler, fritzrl, I really don't think my gf will be comfortable with nudity, either her being naked or with others around being naked. So, I really want to make sure we can enjoy the waters without the threat of nudity.

Caracalla sounds pretty good. I checked their pictures, I am not sure how good their outdoor stuff will be in November but it looks to be a nice place. We don't need the real sauna experience.

We'll be there for 4-5 days. Hopefully, that should be enough.

BTilke, did you say spa at Dorint is not nude? In that case, will give that a try as well as Caracalla.

I was planning on renting a car and drive from Frankfurt Airport. Is a car of any use other than the drive to/from the airport? I like not having to rely on the train schedule. It would also be handy if there is a nearby place worth driving to.

Caracalla is perfectly fine in November unless it's raining hard the day/evening you want to go (we prefer the evening). We have been in the outdoor pools while it was snowing and were perfectly comfortable. There are two outdoor pools (you get to them from inside); one warm and one very warm. Also, don't miss the aroma therapy room--about 10 minutes there will keep your sinuses clear for days!

Although I think it's more pleasant to take the train, we usually drive. To get to Der Kleine Prinze you follow the signs for Centrum (after you exit the autobahn). It will take you into this tunnel. Near the end of the tunnel, but while you are still in it, you exit to the right. A little confusing, but not bad. Try not to miss that exit or the tunnel will take you out of central Baden-Baden and you'll have to circle around to get back in.
Parking for the Prinze is actually at their sister hotel, the Belmont, located about a block away. You can pull in front of the Prinze and park there while you unload your luggage and check in. The staff will give you a tag that you put in the car allowing you to park in the Belmont's lot. I think the rate is 6 euro per day.

The Dorint is not a nude spa. It's very plush and relaxing but not on the scale of Caracalla.

A couple of things to see nearby...drive up to the Merkur bahn (a funicular that takes you to the top of one of the local small mountains, beautiful views at sunset). Or drive to the Old Castle (in ruins, but still interesting). If you have time, you could take a run over to some of the wine villages in Alsace. Or go down to Freiburg. Be sure to stroll along the canal in BB.

Not surprised to hear the Quellenhof is booked. It is VERY popular, esp. with German and Russian visitors. We are going back to BB in December and/or January and will try to stay with them, but we will have to reserve fairly soon.

BTilke, thanks!

Just to clarify, the exit on the autobahn will be for Baden-Baden; as you get closer to town, that's when you start seeing the signs for Centrum. Keep your eyes peeled for the *small* signs for Der Kleine Prinze, you have to make a few turns.
(FYI, if you ever stay at the Quellenhof and decide to drive, you follow the signs for Thermen, not Centrum. The hotel's parking is directly under the hotel.)

Also, Amadeus is one of the restaurants that attracts a younger crowd in BB. Good cocktails as well as food, nice background music. Leans Italian but isn't strictly an Italian restaurant.

I have wondered about this. Asking a question of any Germans, do you ever fear that you would see a co worker in the spa, or would that be no big deal as well, like sharing the locker room with your male co workers.

sansman, I am not German, but where I live co-workers often go to sauna together. It is a good way to relax and forget about work-related things.

And to add: Many workplaces have their own saunas that people can use after work. So seeing a naked co-worker is quite normal. They usually are same types with or without clothes.

Ditto on the outdoor pools at Caracalla in November. It is wonderfully refreshing to be sitting in warm,jetting water and snowflakes floating down.

You might consider Bad Homburg as an alternative to Baden-Baden. It is a short train ride from Frankfurt and has a faded charm. Many hotels have special packages built around the spas.

My wife (is this too much information?) is very shy and conservative, but soon dropped her inhabitions (as well as her swim suit) after spending some time at one of the clothing optional spas. It was a very liberating experience.

This thread is making me feel very modest. I could not imagine bearing it all in front of my co-workers. In fact I would probably never sleep again if I had to look at them nude!

I'm an American who has lived in Europe over twenty years and I still can't drop my towel in front of my colleagues. (In fact, as the years pass on, I want to cover more and more).

Sometimes you really can't teach an old dog new tricks.

as the years go on , i have more and more to cover!!!!

Well I am glad I read this post! I am planning on going to Baden-Baden...but with my 3 teenagers. Are there any age limits on the use of the spas? I seriously doubt my 16 year old daughter would want to be naked around her brothers or even her father. I want us to be able to enjoy the spas so I'm glad to hear there are some that allow swimsuits!

So far as I know, there are no age limitations with either spa in B-B, except that younger folks are not allowed into the Caracalla saunas, as they are strictly 'Textilfrei' (nude) fixtures.

Under the circumstances, love2sing, I'd advise Caracalla for you and your family.

Do check the Baden-Baden website, though (www.baden-baden.de), as it provides links to each of the spa's websites, with further details there.

Fritzrl

We were back in Baden-Baden for a few days in December. It was very pleasant BUT...Caracalla was not as enjoyable this time and I put the blame on the Ryanair influence bringing in British families looking for cheap holidays. Unfortunately, *some* of them were very loud and obnoxious, even in the spa rooms that were supposed to be "silent." (Nobody really expects them to be completely silent, but that doesn't mean kids should feel free to shout and argue at high volume while their parents looked on and did nothing to keep them quiet.) A few of these kids also started having splash fights/contests in the larger pools. Again, no parental intervention. So after that Caracalla experience, we decided to stick with the hotel spa at the Dorint. Much more relaxing.