Rejuvenating Wellness Weekend: The Perfect Place to Unwind
In 2022 we recommended four spots for a wellness weekend. We’ve revisited the piece to check what still holds true today: spa spaces, saunas, and a star that has remained since 2017.
A weekend where your phone stays silent and the plan consists of sauna sessions, massages, and a good meal: that was our idea of relaxation in 2022-and it still holds today. You don’t need to travel to the other side of the world. Four addresses between the Alpine foothills, the North Sea, and the Sauerland region show just how varied a wellness weekend can be.
- Wellnessgarten Waging: just an hour’s drive from Munich, natural swimming pond plus a diverse sauna selection.
- Kristalltherme Kochel: sauna infusions with mountain views, followed by a dip in the icy Kochelsee lake.
- Upstalsboom Südstrand on Föhr: around 2,000 square metres of island-style spa, hammam, and views of the North Sea.
- Hotel Deimann in the Sauerland region: around 4,700 square metres of spa and the Hofstube, which has held a Michelin star since 2017.
Pre-Alpine Region: Waging and Kochel
A stone’s throw from Munich lies the Wellnessgarten Waging am See. Wellness, overnight stays, tennis, and good food sum up the place nicely. In addition to a wide selection of saunas-including a Finnish healing-stone sauna and a hayloft sauna-the natural swimming pond invites you to take a relaxing dip. Inside, you’ll find a range of treatments, massages, and quiet zones designed to ensure uninterrupted relaxation. When hunger strikes, treat your palate to a four-course menu, and spend the night at the hotel or in one of the apartments.
A little further south, right on the shores of Kochelsee, sits the Kristalltherme. Simply gazing at the lake and the mountain range beyond is soothing. The sauna here is a must for dedicated sauna enthusiasts: the steam rituals are performed with visible care, and to complete the experience, you’re encouraged to take a plunge into the icy lake. Massages and rest areas round off the day, and the floating bar serves cocktails straight from the water.
North Sea: Upstalsboom on Föhr
For those who prefer a wilder setting, the North Sea delivers. With views of the Wadden Sea and the open ocean, the conditions for a restorative weekend are already in place. The Upstalsboom Wellness Resort Südstrand sits right on the southern beach of Wyk auf Föhr and was named one of Germany’s 101 best hotels. The eilun SPA spans about 2,000 square meters and features a heated indoor and outdoor pool, four different saunas, a steam bath, and a spacious fitness area.
A hammam isn’t just a spa gimmick-it’s a ritual that gently slows the body down. That’s exactly what a weekend like this is all about.
The hammam is a highlight. This oriental cleansing ritual, combining steam and soapy lather, doesn’t just relax you-it’s a pleasant counterpoint to the chilly island breeze outside. Access to the saunas, steam bath, hammam, and fitness area is permitted from age 16, making the resort better suited to a romantic getaway than a family holiday.
Sauerland: Hotel Deimann
The Romantik & Wellness Hotel Deimann in Schmallenberg offers the full package. Its spa and bathing area spans roughly 4,700 square meters, with three swimming pools, six saunas, a salt room, and a solarium. The view of the Rothaargebirge’s natural landscape is part of the experience. If you’d rather stay active, you’ll find a fitness area, a 27-hole golf course, and in winter, a ski resort right outside your door. Hiking and mountain-bike trails start right at the hotel.
Culinary excellence comes courtesy of the Hofstube. The fine-dining restaurant has held a Michelin star since 2017 and has defended it in the latest editions. After a session in the sauna or a workout, you’ll be in the perfect place to satisfy your appetite.
What to Pack for Your Weekend Getaway
Four properties, four distinct personalities: Waging and Kochel sit close enough to Munich for a spontaneous short break, Föhr rewards the journey with a few days by the sea, and Deimann blends spa bliss with Michelin-starred dining for anyone craving the full experience. The list is deliberately concise. Germany boasts countless wellness hotels, and somewhere near you there may well be a hidden gem that convinces you just as thoroughly. Yet the bottom line remains unchanged since 2022: carve out time that isn’t booked for anything on your to-do list.
If tranquillity matters more than the destination, our three off-the-beaten-path retreats offer inspiration for a weekend that needs no itinerary at all. And if you’d rather not travel at all, we show you how to bring the spa home to your own four walls.
Good to Know
▸How much time should I block for a wellness weekend?
Aim for two nights as a solid rule of thumb. For day-trip targets like Waging or Kochel, one long day plus an overnight stay often suffices; for Föhr or the Sauerland region, the travel time nudges you toward a long weekend.
▸Does a wellness weekend have to break the bank?
Not necessarily. Day spas such as Kristalltherme Kochel or Wellnessgarten Waging welcome visitors on modest budgets, while properties like Deimann or the Upstalsboom Resort sit in the premium tier. Mixing a day visit with a single overnight stay keeps the tab reasonable.
▸What exactly is a hammam and what’s it good for?
A hammam is an Oriental cleansing ritual that uses warm steam and soapy lather. It eases muscle tension, cleanses the skin and gently winds the body down-quietly sidestepping the intense heat of a traditional sauna infusion.
▸Which of the four hotels works best for families?
The Upstalsboom Resort on Föhr restricts sauna, steam and hammam access to guests aged 16 and up, so it leans toward couples. For a relaxed day with children, the day spas in the Alpine foothills offer far more flexibility.
