Spas in Austria
 

I would like to learn more about spas in Austria and what to expect. We will be staying in Bad Hofgastein for a few days, which I understand has several spas. How do the treatments compare to those in the US, and does anyone have any recommendations in Bad Hofgastein or Austrian spa treatments in general? Can you spend a few hours or is it best to spend the entire day? We will also be doing some hiking in the area. Thanks in advance for your help!

Topping :)

Oh, the spas are excellent! I haven't been to Bad Hofgastein, but I loved Wartherhof in Warth. We had a three day program including massages, facials and the different baths. Pure heaven.

The food is incredible and sometimes there is even evening entertainment. You can go hiking as well and then take a dip in the hotel swimming pool or enjoy the different saunas. Speaking of saunas, you'll find many kinds at different temperatures.

I usually go with my girlfriends and we hike, get massages, go swimming, eat, flirt at the bar in the evening and then play cards in between.

Enjoy!

The Austrian train network runs special train/spa packages, with discounts on botht the train fare and hotel/spa rates. I picked up the booklet while taking the train back from Vienna in March. I'll have to see if Warth is on the list!

We have been to the spa at Warmbad Villach, and totally enjoyed our time there. The services are very similar to those available stateside, plus many others that are not even in our vocabulary.

Additionally, we overnighted in Bad Hofgastein about 8 years ago. It is a pleasant town, in a long, wide valley. There are several "older" hotels there with "in house" spa and treatment facilities.

However, checking the web, I now see that a "huge, modern complex with every conceivable service" has been opened in Bad Hofgastein. It's called
Alpen Therme Gastein, and it resembles the facilities at Warmbad Villach.

The web site has downloads for all their services, along with hours and prices.

It looks marvelous!!!

Well, we had an "interesting" spa experience in Bad Hofgastein...

We stayed at the Hotel St. Georg, which was okay, but fairly dated in decor and offerings. This was the last stop on our 15-day Austrian trip, so we felt like we had seen enough hotels to be able to judge. I had booked several treatments in the spa for the four individuals in our group, not knowing what we were getting into. Upon arrival, the reception staff actively talked us out of just about every spa treatment, which seemed very odd to us at the time. When we sat down for breakfast our first morning there, the wait staff asked if anything was wrong with our dining table form the night before (a different table). The entire place seemed very unusual. To make a long story short, it turned out to be a hotel where they cater to and treat Dr. F. X. Mayr patients who are seeking "The Cure." Most of the spa treatments were actually medical cleansing treatments having to do with purging the colon and other organs. The thermal baths were specifically for these patients. The dining room was divided into areas for those just drinking tea all day (no food), those eating a roll, yogurt, and tea, and regular people who could eat whatever they wanted. So, that one morning, we had filled our plates with cheese, fruit, pastries, etc. and sat in the tea only room! Anyway, Bad Hofgastein itself was a great home base for hikes and other day trips. The one massage I had was horrible, and probably caused more damage than anything else. I'm just thankful I wasn't seeking The Cure!

Our trip to Austria was wonderful, overall, and now we just laugh about our spa experience!

So...you didn't have a chance to try the modern Alpentherme? Overall, I thought both Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein seemed rather dated. Not the place I would choose to stay in for a trip in the Salzkammergut. And your spa experience makes me glad we stick with Baden-Baden!

Unfortunately, we didn't get over to Alpentherme. I'm sure it is much nicer than the St. Georg...a totally different animal. I think Bad Hofgastein and Bad Gastein might be more appealing during the ski season.