BY IPSITA BARUA Travel Editor
-4° degrees. You are soaked in a hot thermal bath 1, 450 metres above sea level, letting the jacuzzi jets massage your muscles. The open sky above you. Snow beneath you. And the imposing Alps all around you. If you sigh and think this is stuff winter dreams are made of, head to the Mineralbad & Spa Rigi Kaltbad and make those come true, and also some people jealous with your reels.
About the Mineralbad & Spa Rigi Kaltbad
The mineral waters here have been a place of relaxation and rejuvenation for over 600 years. At the Mineralbad & Spa Rigi Kaltbad, the source of water is the Drei-Schwestern-Brunnen spring, chanelled beautifully in a well-structured setting, both indoor and outdoor. It features an outdoor pool heated at 35° degrees Celsius, sustainably from local wood with stunning views of the mountains, a herbal steam bath, a Finnish herbal sauna, a spa lounge with treatments and massages, and a unique crystal spa.
There’s also a small café in the reception area that serves light snacks like salads, quiches, desserts and beverages.
What I booked
I went in for the Day Spa Rigi Indulgent Moment priced at CHF 97.
This included:
- Day admission to the mineral bath and spa area
- Full body oil massage (25 minutes)
- Bath towel
- A glass of prosecco/ beer / mimosa /soft drink
- Tea and spring water
There are also many more packages that you could pick from as listed here
Good to carry
- Bathrobe and swim wear
- Slippers
- Toiletries
- And a good book to read if you are not the sleeping types
The experience
When you book online, the check in is quick where they give you an access card that also doubles up as your locker card. There are separate changing rooms and shower areas before you get to the thermal pool.
It’s advisable to take a quick shower before you hit the thermal pool.
The pool is comfortably heated and for those of you like me who don’t know how to swim and avoid pools, you will survive. The depth isn’t much, just up to my lower neck level with my height of 5 feet barely 2 inches. There are also side railings that you could hold and use to navigate the pool.
Tips:
- There are separate areas in the pool that tackle muscle points in different areas of your body. If you stay close to the walls of the pool, there are jets of water at different heights that massage your legs, calves, lower back, upper back and feet too (for the feet it’s on the floor of the pool). So look for those and spend time pampering your body under water.
- If you have shoulder aches, pains and strains, place yourself under the thundering falls. That was the best shoulder massage I had without a Masseuse.
- Definitely follow the pool stream outside and revel in the comfort of leisure and landscape.
- The steam area (downstairs from the thermal pool) has very a comfortable seating and an adjacent lounge area with great views, just perfect for a quick snooze because that’s the right sequence of events if you are relaxed enough.
- The Crystal Bath, also downstairs, is a less populated area than the pool upstairs. In an enclosed area with very shallow water and mood lights, it felt a bit more exclusive. Don’t miss this.
- The Finnish Spa is a nudist area. It’s right next to the Crystal baths.
- Keep your mobile phones in the locker, there’s hardly and network apart from the Guest WiFi you could use. All zones are strictly phone and photography free. And if you wish to grab a quick bite in the café , its accessible in and out for day visitors.
- Take time in each area. Relax. Close your eyes. Let your mind and muscles loosen up. Believe me, it does wonders.
The massage
The massage room is for 2 people with curtains drawn in between. My 25-minute massage was short but amazing. I told the focus areas to the Masseuse and she had the right pressure to tackle those. It’s rounded off with hot stones that leave you warm, relaxed and sleepy.
After the massage, select the complimentary beverage of your choice and relax in the adjacent lounge, while taking in the Alpine views.
How to get here
As with all mountain destinations, please keep a tab on the last cable car going down. The cable car station is Weggis and there are various ways to get here – through Arth Goldau, Schwyz, Brunnen, Gersau, Vitznau or Küssnacht.
The round-trip cable car from Weggis to Rigi Kaltbad with Halbcard was CHF 26
All transportation routes and modes detailed out here
Go gather your girlfriends or book a surprise day out with your partner for some R&R!
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