Wellness and spa travelers will likely have heard of Mariánské Lázně and its probably on their bucket list if they haven’t already been. Located outside Prague in the Bohemian countryside, it is world renowned for its abundance of natural medicinal sources with more than one hundred mineral springs within the wider vicinity of the town and around forty springs in the town itself. All these mineral springs are cold acidulous springs with temperatures between 7°C and 10°C and the springs differ in chemical composition, which obviously affects the impact it has on your body when drinking it, which btw, most of the people who go to this town, do for healing purposes. In other words, it’s part of the experience and why people show up!
You don’t need to be ill or have a medical condition to come to a spa town like this one, for there are plenty of traditional spa treatments you can experience, healthy food you can eat and serene walks you can take that will nourish your soul if you simply want to a little R&R. Meet Marienbad’s original spa experience, which is housed in the Danubius Health Spa Resort (original property) up on a hill with breathtaking views of the town below. One of the most traditional spa buildings in Mariánské Lázně, the hotel faces the town’s colonnade and lush green park, with a spa, swimming pool, restaurant and cafe on-site. There’s 108 rooms and suites, a WiFi zone (although I managed to connect in my room), laundry service and parking spaces if you decide to rent a car. And, the building itself is ever so majestic that you feel fabulous just entering its doors.
The hotel rooms at the Centralni Lazne location aren’t as decadent and luxe like as the ones at Hotel Imperial in Karlovy Vary and not as chic as Nove Lazne but they simple and classically lovely!
This is a shot taken from the fourth floor in a sitting area that lies between two sides of the hotel, each hallway leading to its own elevator.
The Health Spas (there are several, but all linked)
The largest and most original spa in the area, they have 24 treatment cabins which have original tilting from the 19th century. The building that the hotel and spa reside in today is the very same location as the original spa building from 1812. There’s also a Premier fitness center with cardio exercise, fitness and exercise equipment on the premises as well. In addition to traditional massages and more relaxing spa treatments, you can sign up for more medicinal ones, such as mineral baths, peat packs, natural dry carbon gas baths, mud treatments, electrotherapy, relaxation, acupuncture, dry carbon baths, mineral baths, on-site mineral springs, gas injections, water treatment and a host of other more intense procedures and therapies depending on your needs.
At every hotel, Centralni Lazne included, you have a fountain for drinking the thermal waters right on the premises. You also have access to the original Roman Baths from 1896 with three pools, a whirlpool and bubble baths as well as saunas in three different temperatures, a steam sauna and a sanarium.
Peloids are inorganic and organic pottages, which are used for compresses and wraps. They are made of peat and other mud, which can be found around the springs. For treatments, you typically have them applied for 20-30 minutes once they have reached the 40°C. Peat wraps are used for treating locomotive system disorders, gynaecologic complaints and respiratory system disorders. Special treatments are offered in the form of peat vaginal tampons, which are used for treating chronic gynaecological inflammations and sterility in women. Yes, really. We actually visited the location that specializes in this very treatment and women apparently come from around the world with hopes of getting pregnant after a series of treatments. Below, a nurse explains the procedure to us in Czech with an English translator. (to avoid confusion, she is not working at the Danubius property but at a facility that specializes in fertility treatments).
Notice how you can walk between properties via underground hallways to go to a wellness, spa, medical or aqua facility at another Danubius property.
Oxygen Therapy @Maria Spa
We had a unique oxygen treatment at the Maria Spa, which was easily walkable from our hotel. They have a few different therapies that deal with natural dry carbon gas, which helps to improve blood circulation, kidney activity and sexual functions, in addition to having an anti-inflammatory effect. It can also be administered via an injection to reduce pain, improve localized circulation and accelerate healing. We didn’t do a treatment that intensive, because many of the more invasive procedures and therapies require a doctor’s referral.
Our group did a simple oxygen experience that involved sitting in a small area where our noses were hooked up to intranasal tubes. A little uncomfy at first, but we quickly got used to it especially as the meditative music started playing. The idea is that you inhale extra oxygen through the tube, all while relaxing in a chair. The air being inhaled is enriched with about 40-60% oxygen at a reasonable level of humidity. An increased supply of oxygen into the body enhances the immune system, improves heart activity and the elasticity of the lungs, helps improve your mind’s efficiency and is meant to be excellent for overall health. Sometimes a vitamin drink is also offered as part of the treatment, although we didn’t consume anything other than water after our oxygen therapy experience.
While we breathed in the oxygen, a video was shown against a smokey transparent screen, sharing the tradition and history of the spa, building and Marianske Lazne itself.
The Roman Baths at Nove Lazne
Who doesn’t love to soak in a bath, especially one with so much decadence and beauty around you? Romanesque statues hide in corners, the tiles are rich in all directions and there’s a touch of elegancy and luxury in the air as you make your way from room-to-room. Between relaxing lounge areas, three saunas, two hot tubs, two Roman baths, a steam room and more, there’s no shortage of things to try out here.
Other Amenities
In addition to traditional and medical spa services, there’s a cosmetic salon, hair studio and place to get those pedicures and manicures done. Restaurant Goethe offers both Czech and international cuisine, a dietary corner, buffet-style breakfasts and evening meals. They have regular dance nights or piano concerts in the lobby bar and there’s a conference center casino linked to the hotel with five function rooms that can hold 800 people. Below, my delicious caraway soup which I had at Goethe for lunch one day, followed by coconut and chocolate balls of course.
One of my favorite memories of the property (Roman Baths aside of course), was sitting outside in their adjacent cafe and watching the world go by as I sipped on my creamy cappuccino.
DETAILS:
- Head to Karlovy Vary for its Healing Thermal Springs & Storyland-Like Walks
- Discover Heavenly Spa Town Marianske Lazne in the Heart of Bohemia
- Wellness Travel: Danubius Health Spa Resort in Mariánské Lázně
- Chateau Mcely, For Luxury & Serenity in the Czech Countryside
- Hotel Imperial Spa & Health Club in the Heart of Karlovy Vary’s Hot Springs
- Medical & Wellness Spa Programs at Karlovy Vary’s Imperial
- Get Upscale Pampering at Prague’s Mandarin Hotel
- Pure Radiance and More at the Four Seasons in Prague
- Spa Culture in Prague & Beyond
Renee Blodgett is the Founder and Managing Editor of We Blog the World, a global travel, culture and lifestyle publication exploring the world through the lens of meaningful experiences, human connection and cultural depth. Having lived in 10 countries and traveled to 95, Renee has spent much of her life immersed in the people, traditions, landscapes and ideas that shape how we experience the world.
Since launching We Blog the World in 2007, she has written and produced extensive editorial coverage spanning boutique and luxury travel, culinary experiences, arts and culture, wellness, adventure, technology, spiritual traditions and transformative travel. Her work is rooted in the belief that travel is about more than where we go—it is also about what a place, culture or encounter awakens within us.
Renee brings more than three decades of experience across journalism, photography, media, brand strategy, technology, wellness and global storytelling. She has worked with companies and organizations around the world on brand positioning, communications, product launches, media strategy, speaker positioning and storytelling. Through Blue Soul Media, she works with authors, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and purpose-driven brands to clarify their message and expand their impact, which includes speaker coaching/training for high-profile stages such as TED and bringing authors’ work to market while retaining authors rights.
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Her growing body of work also includes Blue Soul Living, which extends her interest in consciousness and well-being into the spaces we inhabit, exploring how intentional design, energy and environment can support greater harmony and connection.
Renee is the award-winning co-author of the bestselling Magdalene’s Journey and founder of the Magdalene Collection, inspired by women’s voices, stories and wisdom across cultures and generations.
A longtime photographer and storyteller, Renee has documented people, places and cultures around the world and produced photographic collections focused on destinations including the Galápagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome and Ecuador. She also co-founded Traveling Geeks, an international initiative that brought entrepreneurs, journalists, creators and technology leaders together with their counterparts in other countries to exchange ideas and explore innovation across cultures.
Renee’s work has been recognized by Forbes, the United Nations and others for her influence in media and social storytelling. Across her work in travel, media, consciousness and culture, a common thread remains: curiosity about the world, the stories that connect us and the ways meaningful experiences can change how we see ourselves and one another.
