The world’s best destinations for health spas

Towns with their own hot springs add an extra layer of relaxation to any trip. Which is why we asked travellers to name the best destinations for health spas. *

Karlovy Vary in Czech Republic

The Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary is known for it’s hot springs (over 300 of them) and the warm waters of the Teplá River are a popular bathing spot throughout the summer months. As a result, health spas have popped up all along the river banks and the surrounding countryside is full of hotels (like the Retro Riverside) devoted to every kind of hydro-healthcare.

Rotorua in New Zealand

Rotorua’s geothermal springs have been attracting visitors since the 1900’s and the lakeside town’s bubbling mud pools are a must. While the area’s natural hot springs are hard to beat, luxury accomodation like the Silver Fern Rotorua Accommodation & Spa make it a point of pride to provide up-to-the-minute beauty treatments at their private spa baths.

Sirmione in Italy

Located on the northshore of Lake Garda, the picturesque town of Sirmione has been a spa retreat since Roman times. Today it’s possible to visit the ruins of a villa connected to the Roman poet Catullus and the remains of a 13th-century castle, followed by a trip to Terme di Sirmione – the town’s famous sulphur springs. For a view of the Lake and a hydromassage, check into the Hotel Continental Thermae & Spa.

Baden Baden in Germany

The Black Forest spa town of Baden Baden is one of Europe’s elite spa towns, although recent years have seen the emergence of affordable resorts, designed to appeal to every budget. Surrounded by thermal springs and a wooded valley, Baden Baden has a calm, peaceful atmosphere that is replicated inside establishments like the Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa.

Ubud in Indonesia

Historical sites, jungle trekking, river rafting, touring the temples, checking out the art galleries, visiting the botanical gardens and eating as much Indonesian food as possible leaves visitors to Ubud little time for a spa day. If you can, however, making a base at one of the luxury spa hotels (such as the Pramana Watu Kurung Resort) will add a much needed refreshing, revitalising element to your trip.

Chiang Mai in Thailand

Chiang Mai has spas and health resorts to suit every budget, many of which are based in the city centre and yet still manage to create a relaxing environment for guests. Elaborate health spas like Tamarind Village feel like a different world, surrounded by gardens full of soothing water features, leafy trees and the requisite spa features.