Showing posts with label spa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spa. Show all posts

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Tauern Spa: A Review

Tauern Spa Logo





Tauren Spa is an oasis of water and wood, nestled among the Austrian Alps. Although the spa is a little out of the way, this is a choice location for any hotel, let alone such a luxury retreat. You can absorb the breath-taking views not only from the warm salt-water pool or the outdoor bar, but also from your room. Most of the rooms at Tauern Spa have a view to die for, but make sure you specify if you want the best panoramic views and book well in advance if you plan to visit over the weekend. 

Tauern Spa
Tauern Spa from outside
The simple, modern, and luxuriantly comfortable bathrooms and bedrooms are the perfect place to kickback after a day in the mountains. If the hiking trails, bike routes, ski trips, or shopping sprees leave you a little achy, the range of treatments and chill out areas will melt away any tension you arrived with. The relax room with a library, and the sauna are the most peaceful corners of the retreat; soak in the heat while you gaze up at emerald pastures and snow-capped mountains. There are plenty of deckchairs, and to the relief of parents and tranquillity-seekers alike, there are even separate kids pools, family expeditions, and a play room.


Relaxing in Tauern Spa
Relaxing in Tauern Spa
When you wake up to the bright Austrian sunlight, next on the list is breakfast, and it doesn’t disappoint. Don’t be put off by the buffet style assortment, they say it’s the most important meal of the day and Tauern Spa certainly seems to agree; the food is great quality and thoughtfully prepared, easily one of the better hotel breakfasts you will have on your travels. The Hotel dinner gets five stars, too, one for each course! You will sit down to 5 courses of modern Austrian food, and international cuisine, beautifully presented in a contemporary restaurant accented with traditional Austrian spirit.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Spas and Well Being in Austria

Spa in Austria





Just the idea of being in stunning surroundings, with snow covered mountains or lush green slopes all around you, depending on the time of year, is enough to make most people think seriously about going to Austria for a spa break. Yes, Austria is not just good for skiing holidays or the chance to hike through the mountains and across the slopes. A spa holiday may not be the first thing you think of when you’re planning a trip to Austria, but you can be sure that if this is what appeals to you, you’ll have lots of spa breaks and locations to choose from.

Is one spa much like another?

You may think a spa is just a spa, and the only decision you have to make when booking your spa break is where to stay. Should it be near the delightful city of Innsbruck? Or would you rather head for Salzburg? Perhaps somewhere further into the quietness of the mountains would appeal to you, far away from the excitement of the skiers?

Wherever you think about going, you can be sure you will have an impressive choice of spa types to choose from. There are thermal spas, perhaps one of the most familiar spa types of all. Alternatively, and since this is Austria, you have the option of going for the watery wonder of the lakeside spas, or the high altitude delights of the mountain spas. So whatever you want to be surrounded by while you’re away, you can find the perfect spa to do the job.

What are the benefits of choosing an Austrian spa holiday?

The title of this article really says it all. Of course you have the advantage of the scenery and the spa facilities wherever you go. But you also have the ability to take good care of your well being, and different spa resorts have different ways for you to do this.

For example, the Grand Park Hotel is a thermal spa situated in the Gasteiner Valley, and it has a thermal spring pool for you to use. With different types of saunas, a rose quartz steam bath and waterbeds too, you’ll certainly get the benefit of thermal properties here.

Alternatively if you want to explore the delights of a mountain spa, head for the five star surroundings of the Wellness Residenz Schalber in the Tyrol. It describes its offering as holistic and it truly has your well being at heart. The highlight is the ability to swim inside and outside without changing pools – a true experience if ever there was one.

Some spas are built around certain sports, with the idea that your well being is as much about activity as it is about relaxation. If this sounds good to you, check out the Quellenhotel and Spa. Here you can indulge in a game of tennis either indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather conditions. They also have golfing facilities. And when you’re done you can have a dip in one of seven thermal water pools – how’s that for bliss?

So how do you choose the right location and venue for the ideal spa and well being holiday in Austria?

First it is all about location. The mountains of Austria provide a stunning venue for any break, especially when you can take advantage of the freedom to enjoy the outdoor pools and thermal spas. But on the other hand you might feel attracted to the idea of a lakeside spa, with the expanse of water to enjoy. Those wanting the opportunity to play some sports as well as enjoying spa and well being facilities should look for something like the Quellenhotel and Spa mentioned above.

You should also think about whether you are going to stay at the spa or whether you want to do some sightseeing while you are in Austria as well. This might depend on the amount of time you will be staying at your chosen spa. For instance, if I had a weekend to spend in Austria at a spa resort, I’d be tempted to pick the best one I could find in an appealing ‘get away from it all’ location. Why hurry to pack in all the sights as well as enjoy the spa facilities? It would do nothing but make me stressed, which defeats the purpose of going to a spa in the first place.

However if I had a week to spare, I’d definitely book a spa and well being break somewhere close to Innsbruck (a personal favourite, having been there some years ago). I’d have the opportunity to try all the spa facilities as well as having a couple of days out exploring the local area, perhaps with some nice morning hikes followed by an afternoon relaxing at the spa.

Sounds promising, doesn’t it?