The changing rooms are separate men’s and women’s and it easy to get yourself lost in the maze of corridors as the signs are all written in Hungarian, but the staff are used to it and when all this try to send you back in the right direction. The focal point of the baths is its grand central swimming pool, with its glass or supported by intricate marble columns. The perfect place to view this is from the small semicircular hotpot at the end of the pool made them so up the heat and marvel at the architectural details of the building. The main thermal baths can be accessed from the far end of the swimming pool with separate sections for men and women, so it’s not the ideal place to visit if you are a couple unless of course you need a break from each other. The water is kept at a scorching 44°C so it is really a genuine hot bath. The interiors of the main thermal baths are a truly surreal experience with ornate tiling and murals lining the walls. There are no windows in the storms so you are completely shut off from the outside world, and with many of the local bathing naked, the only reminder that you are in the 21st century are the other apprehensive looking tourists.

There are also some outdoor fun pool including a wave pool that are open in summer and make the Gellert baths more of an enjoyable family experience, but the main attraction for most is the impressive architecture of the indoor thermal baths.

Other Facilities
A range of massage treatments are available at Gellert baths and it also has a small canteen area selling a variety of fried foods.

Best Thing
The well preserved art nouveau architecture makes you feel like you have stepped back in time.

Worst Thing
Separate men’s and women’s thermal baths mean that it is not ideal for couples or families.

Top Tip
If you just want to see the coloumed swimming pool, then save yourself the money and go in the viewing gallery, but you if you are really interested then it is worth entering the main thermal baths and immersing yourself in the experience.

Summary
The Gellert baths in Budapest on one of the clandestine historic Bath in Hungary and if you are interested in architecture then it’s the perfect place to go and take a step back in time. It is however a somewhat intense experience and if you’re not used to this style of Bath and many visitors may find themselves at home in the city’s Szechenyi Baths.

Rating:

Where to Stay

Luxury – Danubius Hotel Gellert *****

Midrange - Town Hall Apartments ****

Budget - Grand Hostel

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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

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

Thermae Bath Spa

Inside the baths you will find two thermal pools (indoor and outdoor) at approximately 35.5C, cooled from the 45C at which it exits the ground. Somehow it didn’t feel as hot as it claimed when we visited, but it was pleasantly warm and coupled with the calm atmosphere you’re sure to have a very relaxing visit. Unusually, due to its confined city centre location, the spa is built vertically with pools on the ground floor and the rooftop, and steam rooms, changing rooms, treatment rooms and the cafe located on the floors in between.

The indoor pool features a pleasant bubble pool and a powerful massage jet for your head and shoulders, as well as a lazy river . The uplighters in the floor of the pool project a subtle, dappled light onto the curved ceiling of the pool that becomes even more atmospheric as they dim the main lights in the evening.

The outdoor pool is a real highlight though, located on the rooftop, with views over the top of the city to the surrounding hills. Its the perfect place to relax in the spas warm waters and enjoy the jacuzzi seats and the massage jet. If you visit in the evening then you can lie back and watch the sun go down over the city.

Other Facilities:

In addition to the main pools, there is a gorgeous steam room where you will find herbal scented steam chambers with hot stone benches to sit or lie on. The center of the room features a giant hot shower fed by the thermal spring. The powerful jets are quite harsh but give a good massage. For further relaxation there are foot baths in which to calm your tired feet.

For additional fees there are a range of over 50 treatments and massages available including Hot Stone therapies, Thermal treatments, featuring the Vichy Shower and Watsu, and ‘Kraxen’ Stove.

The cafe is nicely presented and serves a range of good quality snacks and light meals. The windows catch the evening sun and so its a great place to sit and relax if you’re there later in the day.

Summary:

Thermae Bath Spa is surely a very good thermal spa with its beautiful architecture and stunning settings in the heart of the historic city, but falls short due to a lack of attention to detail. Overall a great experience that you won’t quickly forget.

Best thing:

Views from the rooftop pool really make the baths a special experience.

Worst thing:

A lack of attention to detail spoils the visit with a catalogue of trivial irritations. By the time you have figured out how to open the door of your cubicle and found your way to the pools, it’s almost time to leave, but the clocks have no numbers on and by now your digital wrist band has probably fallen off. We could go on, but we’d be here all night.

Top Tip:

Take the twilight package in spring or autumn. It’s not only the best value package at Thermae Bath Spa (includes dinner, robe+towel), but you can watch the sunset from the rooftop pool, and thanks to the reflection in the pools glass railings, you get a beautiful double sunset effect.

Rating:

Where to Stay

Luxury – The Residence *****

Midrange - Pratt’s Hotel ***

Budget - Forres House

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For more information, visit: http://www.thermaebathspa.com/

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