budapest for and thermal baths
 

Can anybody recommend the best thermal baths to visit im November

The most beautiful of all is at he Gellart Hotel. Don't miss it and get a wet massage while your there. That's all you need to know.

I agree, visit the Gellert baths. It was a wonderful experience that I had to talk my husband into. The hotel said that only tourists can afford these baths and they had some more reasonable baths that the locals went to. You could ask at your hotel.

This is an honest question - what is the "dress code"? I have read about the Gellert Hotel and heard about the baths and thought about going (I'll be in Budapest for business this Dec). I played sports in college and regularly attend my local gym, so I have no problem with locker room nudity. Is that the norm, or is it a more modest place? <BR>

I was at the Gellert Baths in January and by far the majority of people were Hungarian. Also, I don't remember how much it was but it wasn't very much--probably about $10-15 total, maybe less.

Be sure to check out Rudas Baths - a short walk from the Gellert. Very atmospheric. <BR> <BR>As for dress -you'll be given a modesty apron which covers the front and leaves nothing to imagine regarding your posterior. You can also wear a bathing suit if you prefer. Be sure to bring some flip flop type sandles. <BR> <BR>Also - check out the Szechiny (sp?) Baths in Varisloget.

Gellért bath entrance for thermal bath bath and swimming pool costs 7usd,only for thermal bath 5 usd.Safe deposit is extra.For the pool you of course need a bathing suit,you can rent it.(Most of the locals are there for treatment,ticket paid by insurance.There is a medical center, a day-hospital upstairs.) <BR>Széchényi is newly renovated but open air even in winter,it's full of elderly people. <BR>Eva

tp

All the talk about Gellert is bunk. We just returned from 3 weeks in Hungary. Cost for entrance was $9.75 USD and a 15 minute massage was $8. What's not told at when you buy your ticket is there's another 400Ft charge for the matron to open the door to the changing rooms. The 2400Ft for admission was supposed to include the cost of a changing room. A 30 minute massage was 2000Ft. Ours lasted only 15 minutes and mine was done by Igor with a lit cigarette hanging from his mouth. No one could speak any english so we were at a loss. For such a publicized spa it sure was an awful experience. Oh, and don't forget the 3500Ft deposit for a towel. <BR>A better spa and less expensive visit Miscolctapolca, with it's pools in the caves.

Stay at the Gellert and the baths are available at no cost. You are given a terry robe for the trip down in a special little elevator. We all wore swimsuite for the outdoor pool and hot tub.

Really conflicting replies here folks. Would it be best to just go for a swim...looks like a great pool.

I guess prices have gone up. I had a thermal bath and a massage at the Gellart 3 years ago for about US $7.00. It was very nice after 4 days of walking the city.

http://www.danubiusgroup.com/spahotels/spa.phtml?hotlink=4781&lang=en&spa=1&hl=2<BR><BR>H ere's a list of prices for services at the Gellert. <BR><BR>Push come to shove, you could always send a email to the Gellert.

I gonna visit Budapest with my wife and go to the bath.Could anyone know what places are coed. I don't want to be separate from my wife even in the spa

Hi,<BR><BR>It is true if you stay at the Gellert the baths are free, but of coarse not the massages. The hot baths are sex segrated and a lot of the people are nude, but I and my friends wore bathing suites. They do lend you an apron to walk around in if you do not have a bathing suit. Be sure to wear flip flops. The main beautiful pool with the great moasics if coed and everyone wears a bathing suit. There are also thermal pools on this area, but they did not seem as hot as those in the segrated areas. It is a fun experience

I would recommend the Gellert. (See the message about the watermain explosion outside the hotel in Sept. 2002). Check that it's re-opened. We stayed at the hotel in July, 2002. Guests use the baths free-of-charge. Others pay an admission charge. There are numerous pools. (I think 10 in total, including the inside and outside pools). There is an incredible wavepool outside (originally built in the 1920's!!!). Inside there is an "efferverscent" pool. THis is co-ed. This is the one you see in the guide books - a pool surrounded by columns. Twice an hour for 10 minutes each time, bubbles are generated. Hence, the name "effervescent" pool. From the rear of this pool, there is an entry to a separate area for each of the men and women. Each has two large pools. These contain minerals, and are heated to 36 and 38 degrees. (I am wondering if this is related to body temperature). One feels positively languid after leaving these pools. Of course, massages are available at a nominal cost (nominal in North American terms). The hotel (and spa are) is an architectural gem. Worth a visit. The hotel is very "old world" - but that's what going to Europe is about for North Americans. Why see more of what we can see at home! Definitely, visit the Gellert, assuming it has re-opened.