swimsuits in Baden-Baden
 

We will be in Baden-Baden in December and want to go to a spa. It will be my husband and two adult daughters. Nudity would be awkward! Which spa(s) require a swimsuit and have a coed pool??
Thanks!

The Caracalla spa is a swimsuit spa (also coed). It has a nude section upstairs, but there is plenty to do downstairs in the swimsuit section (the two big main pools, the aromatherapy room, etc.).
IF you get to BB and find Caracalla way too crowded (esp. on week-ends), consider heading over the Dorint/Sofitel and getting a day pass for their spa facilities. Very nice, if not as extensive as Caracalla and usually not crowded at all. Also much nicer changing rooms. I think the day rate is about 28 euros for day at the Dorint; you pay extra for back massages, facials, and so on. Caracalla is cheaper, but their lowest rate is only for a few hours.
We will be in BB for four or five days in mid-December and will be staying at the Dorint/Sofitel partly because of its nice spa facilities and great location (it's also one of our favorite hotels).

P.S. 28 euros may seem high, but it's a steal compared to the rates for day spas near us...I checked out one today and its facilities didn't even begin to compare to those at the Dorint/Sofitel, but its day rate was £90 !! (About $175)

There are two public spas at Baden-Baden: Friedrichsbad, which requires nudity, and Caracallatherme, which requires a swimsuit except the sauna area upstairs (where you needn't go). So Caracalla will be your choice. Caracalla is really nice (avoid weekend afternoons). Since that splendid guy in my life gave me a coupon for Christmas last year, I'm going now and then. There are different pools, indoors and outdoors. Water temperatures vary from 30°C to 38°C. The outdoor pools are warm enough even in winter, it's great to swim in warm water and watching the snow around (if there is any).

All details here: http://www.carasana.de/home/en/caracalla.html

Thank you for the great tips! We will try Caracalla and if it is crowded, the Dorint/Sofitel. We had our wedding reception at the Sofitel Hotel in Minneapolis, so that would be poetic! :)

To Quokka!

I see from another post of yours that you are German, so . . . .

How did you come to choose the user name 'quokka' which, as you must be aware, is the name of a rare Australian marsupial found only on a small island off the coast of Western Australia?

Ja, wie kommen Sie denn gerade auf den Namen 'Quokka'?

Harzer

Harzer: Because I visited Rottnest Island last year and found those "rare Autralian marsupials" absolutely cute! And to confuse people, perhaps.

On most other forums I'm using my real first name, so I thought I'd put a little more effort and imagination into the choice of my handle this time.

P.S. AuntAnnie, sorry for off-topic threadjacking discussing Australian mini-kangaroos, but unfortunately there is no possibility to send personal messages on this board.
Hope you'll enjoy your stay in Baden-Baden!

AuntAnnie - I have taken school groups to Baden Baden three times over the past 5 years. You have nothing to worry about. The downstairs is spa oriented and everyone wears swimwear. The upstairs is quite separate and completely avoidable if you choose to make it that way. Be sure to spend a few minutes in the Eucalyptus steam rooms. Have a wonderful time, we always do.