Unfortunately, that really is where the positives end. The pool building is extremely basic and a bit dated, and showers didn’t work properly on our visit. The worst thing though is the atmosphere, which feels more like a hospital ward than a spa, and has an uncomfortable tension in the air with the rather serious pool attendants watching over to make sure that nobody is having too much fun.

Other Facilities

The Brine Baths in Droitwich Spa also have a small sauna, and if you book in advance you can have a simple but tasty cold lunch, although slightly oddly you’ll have to eat it off plastic garden furniture at the poolside after your session.

Best Thing

Experience almost uncontrollable floating in the natural salt waters.

Worst Thing

The clinical atmosphere makes it hard to relax and have a good time.

Top Tip

Make sure that you don’t have any open wounds, as sting like crazy in the salt and could leave you with a scar, despite the protective gel provided.

Summary

The Brine Baths in Droitwich Spa provide an unusual and memorable experience. But apart from the warm water and extremely high salt content, it’s really nothing special and is let down by a somewhat uncomfortable atmosphere.

Rating:

For more information, visit: www.brinebath.co.uk

Find out how we rate thermal baths.

The Droitwich Spa Brine Baths are currently closed. See news for more information.

The pools themselves are fairly straightforward, but nicely presented with a variety of blue dichromic mosaics throughout. The main indoor pool is a saltwater pool with reclined seating in the water along one edge aswell as massage and bubble jets, but at only 32° C it is not particularly warm and with its standard rectangular design is a little underwhelming. The adjacent saltwater whirlpool is much more pleasurable with a range of different bubble sequences including tingly fizzing effect. It’s a little warmer at 34°, but this is the hottest pool in Bad Ischl, so it’s no surprise that it can get a little crowded.

There are two outdoor pools, accessed separately from the indoor pool. The main outdoor pool is also saltwater and kept at 33°C, which although not particularly hot is comfortable for an outdoor pool. It’s a nice place to sit back and enjoy the mountain air, just watch out for the near invisible internal walls and steps hidden beneath the surface of the water, or you could end up with some nasty bruises. The other outdoor pool is far more interesting though. As the resort itself says, the lazy river is THE water attraction, and in this case it’s more of a rapids than a lazy river, with children and adults whizzing around the track. There are a few pit stops along the way with calm areas to relax and enjoy some bubble therapy, including a very cosy salz grotto. You can keep hopping between stations and when it’s time to go home, you will be sure to go for one more lap.

There are also small but nicely presented indoor and outdoor children’s pools for those with family. The basic four hour ticket costs 13Euros at the time of writing, and you can get a 10% discount if you carry a Gastekarte from a hotel in Bad Ischl with you.

Other Facilities

The baths have a pleasant canteen style restaurant with decent quality and value food, and plenty of gallery areas with loungers if you want to take a break from the pool during your visit. Any food or drink can be recorded on your digital wristband so you don’t need to carry money with you into the pool areas. If you want saunas or spa treatments then you’ll need to purchase an additional ticket for the adjoining sauna welt, which would then allow you to move freely between the two areas.

Summary

The Eurothermen Resort in Bad Ischl is a very pleasant and well presented complex, where you can spend time relaxing and have some fun in the lazy river. However, it fails to take advantage of its location with quite poorly conceived architecture that feels like an upmarket swimming pool complex, but not the world-class facility that it ought to be. The water is not particularly warm either for a thermal spa, but if you go in with realistic expectations, you should have a good time.

Best Thing

The lazy river is the clear highlight, with a long track, powerful current, and three different relaxation areas along the way.

Worst Thing

It’s just not particularly warm. Some may enjoy the slightly cooler pools but a thermal spa of this size, really should have at least one genuinely hot bath to avoid disappointing visitors.

Top Tip

Wherever you see a white nozzle on the side of the lazy river, put your hand over the jet directly below it underwater. Hold it there for a couple of seconds for a fun surprise.

Rating:

Where to Stay

Luxury – Hotel Goldener Ochs ****

Midrange - Alpengasthof Hotel Anlager ***

Budget - Haus Strutzenberger

More accomodation in Bad Ischl

More Information

For more information, visit: www.eurothermen.at

Find out how we rate thermal baths.

“Following specialist inspections at Droitwich Spa Brine Baths on Friday 12 December 2008, the facility has been closed to allow further building investigations to take place and to avoid any potential hazard to the public or staff.

Droitwich Spa Hospital (telephone 01905 793333) that owns and runs the facility is seeking to contact members and those that have purchased, or have been given gift vouchers, to discuss the options available to them.

Droitwich Brine Bath, opened in 1985, to provide a natural spa bath and associated treatments.

As soon as further details are available, these will be be provided”.

For the latest information, please visit http://www.brinebath.co.uk/