One of Europe’s fastest growing tourism destinations in Hungary. Budapest was once the gleaming jewel of the Austro-Hungarian empire and today is a popular destination for the urban and cultural explorer. A scenic 2-hour ride away is Budapest’s ideal side trip to Lake Hévíz. Since the turn of the century, Hévíz has been recognized as Hungary’s spa-town and for having the world’s largest biologically active, natural thermal lake. For those with sore and weary bodies as well as those looking for a place to relax, Lake Hévíz is a fountain of youth. When visiting the area, an ideal place to with a wide range of services and amenities is the Danubius Health Spa Resort Aqua.
Lake Hévíz is a unique destination to say the least. It’s a funny scene as adults wander around the grounds with colorful foam tubes that one would typically associate with children frolicking in a pool. They are heading to the lake to spend a few hours soaking in the water’s healing properties. These waters are known for their curative powers and have being attracting tired and drained souls from around Europe for over 1000 years.
In fact, the lake has been a source of rejuvenation by the area’s original inhabitants since the 4th century B.C. and the Stone Age. The Roman invasions introduced the Roman bath culture and ever since the area has drawn the tired and afflicted. In the 18th century a formal research study publicized the healing properties of the waters and ever since its health tourism flourished with a steady flow of Europe’s elite class.
The water emanates from over a half mile below from an underground cave. The strong stream of hot water flows out of the source at 104° and keeps the temperature of the lake at 99 ° during summer and does not dip below 75° in winter. The healing powers in the water come from the dissolved gas elements including carbonic acid, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, hydrogen carbonate, and a variety of healing bacteria and algae. Around the lake you’ll also see pretty water lilies in fuchsia, yellow and white that were introduced the late at the turn of the century.
The lake is enclosed with a park like environment with shady trees and soft grass where guests layout out on lawn chairs or blankets. In the lake they swim or float allowing the warm mineral rich water of the lake work its magic. There are several buildings on the property with the 19th-centurtury traditional Austro-Hungarian facades with detailed spires and ornate wooden awnings. There guest have access to a number of services and facilities including a spa, lockers, and a few restaurants to nosh in between soaks.
The hotel is just a 15-minute walk away from the lake and you’ll see a steady stream of hotel guests with their floaty sticks coming and going. The hotel is a grand eight story structure that has recently been remodeled with a chic and contemporary interior design.
This hotel is made for rejuvenation and relaxation offers a number of services to that end. The hotel has its own mineral spring source to fill the hotel’s many pools and guests from all over descend there for their healing properties. There are several large outdoor pools as well as more indoors which have an even warmer temperature. There are sauna and steam rooms as well as a number of other services for health and wellness. There are extensive medical treatments and services offered as well.
The recently remodeled rooms in the hotel feature a contemporary and edgy design with unique lighting features, ultramodern wood paneling and comfortable furnishings. The suites are very large with a separate sitting area and bedroom as well as a large bathroom with separate walk in shower and bath. There is a small kitchenette with wet sink, and refrigerator. Guest will also enjoy views from the large sliding glass doors and French balcony that lets in fresh alpine air and gives sweeping views of the pool and parklands nearby.
The hotel offers several dining and entertainment options. Guest’s will enjoy dining al fresco on the terraces overlooking the grounds and pools. The hotel offers guests an all-inclusive dining plan which includes an extensive buffet of Hungarian and international dishes. Meals are offered throughout the day with an afternoon tea as well.
One of the main reasons that guest from all over Europe come to the Danubius Health Spa Resort Aqua is for the wide range of spa, wellness, beauty and even medical treatments. The spa is really a healing center with a large staff of well trained professionals, facilities and the latest spa and wellness equipment. The various massages use interesting types of oils and fragrances such as chocolate, lavender honey, grape seed oil, sparkling wine, or lime blossom honey.
One of the hedonistic pleasures offered is the Wine Bubble Bath which is an experience one will not soon forget. The therapy includes a warm Jacuzzi bath bubbling with warm waters and then a bottle of rich red wine, sourced from the local area, is added to the bath. The warm waters and Jacuzzi jets penetrate deep into sore muscles to eliminate soreness while the antioxidant of the wine are absorbed into the skin. The fragrance of wine fills the nostrils as you drift off into a deep and relaxed bliss. After the treatment the skin is feeling rejuvenated and alive.
Beyond the spa therapies guests have access to the heated pools, steam room, Finnish sauna, infrared sauna, textile sauna, steam bath, plunge bath and salt cave. The water of the indoor heated pool is sourced from an underground spring that reaches the pool at a toasty 98 degrees.
Beyond the endless relaxation options, there’s plenty to do in the area from visiting Lake Hévíz as well as the quaint towns nearby. The picturesque town of Hévíz has a walking street lined with shade trees, Victorian era villas and number of eateries, pubs and neat little shops. Lake Balaton is one of Hungary’s most favorite tourism destinations and is a is a twenty-minute ride away. Around the area there are ancient castles, museums and opulent estates to visit as well as wineries for which the area is becoming more and more renown.
Lake Hévíz is an enriching destination for its healing properties as well as the appeal of its quaint town. For the guest seeking an utterly relaxing vacation, the ideal choice is the Danubius Health Spa Resort Aqua.
All Photos: Courtesy of Danubius Health Spa Resort Aqua
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