The ancient Romans already knew that the hot springs in their country were good for their health and well-being and therefore used a lot of them. In modern times, they have become luxury spas all over Italy. From the majestic Dolomites to the romantic Capri and Ischia in the south, there is no shortage of luxury spas to choose from. Thalassotherapy is particularly beneficial and we have them on our list. Whether you want to get back in shape, just relax in a beautiful hot spring environment, travel alone, with family or friends, these nine spas in Italy offer the best for all tastes and needs.

1. Adler Dolomites

Dolomites

The motto of the Hotel Adler is “let the soul fly” and it’s easy to see why. Located in the village of Ortisei in the Val Gardena valley, you are transported to the heart of the majestic Dolomites, all classified as World Heritage. Summer and winter alike, the Adler seaside resort welcomes you with South Tyrolean hospitality and offers you not only luxurious surroundings, but also spa treatments that will relax and heal your body, and indeed, make your soul fly.

The Adler Spa has been refurbished to ensure it features the latest in wellness concepts. The hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens and there is even a lake, with views of the mountains and, in particular, Mount Sassolungo. The lake has a small island bridge in the middle and is connected by a boardwalk. Natural materials, local wood and huge bay windows create an atmosphere full of warmth and light. There are saunas by the lake, and for the winter, organic saunas, Finnish saunas, Turkish baths and a hot whirlpool. You can also use a yoga and meditation pavilion, with or without a class.

The treatments all fall under the ADLER RELIVE, a combination of massages, beauty treatments and relaxation. Naturally, your stomach is also taken care of with a buffet breakfast and vegetarian cuisine as well as fine dining.

2. Merano Palace

Merano, South Tyrol

Merano is located in northern Italy at the entrance to the Paessler Valley, in a basin surrounded by mountains. The elegant city is best known for its luxurious spas and delicious red wines, orchards and apples.

In this magnificent setting stands the fairy tale Merano Palace, founded over 50 years ago by Dr Henri Chenot, often considered the father of the well-being movement. It is the first European spa to combine Eastern and Western medicine and the emphasis is on healing and recovery. Its renewed program includes detoxification cures, in-depth medical check-ups carried out by specialists, muscle and tendon care and, following the COVID epidemic, recovery cures. If you are in bad shape, there is no better place than the Palace Merano to be thoroughly assessed and to prescribe the appropriate treatments to get you back in shape and well-being.

3. Fiuggi Palace

Fiuggi

Just a 50-minute drive from Rome, you’ll find this cool, marble-covered spa that uses Fiuggi’s well-known thermal waters. Even Michelangelo benefited from the healing properties of the waters which cured him of a kidney stone. Today, you can either drink the waters or float in thalasso pools. The one-week program offered by the spa restores the kidneys and balances the immune system. You can lose weight and get back in shape in a state-of-the-art gym, located in a former ballroom. The spa area, full of marble, includes swimming pools, treatment rooms and a relaxation area. The rooms are equally luxurious. Everything you need to restore your health and well-being, all professionally supervised with tailor-made programs at Fiuggi Palace.

4. Santa Rosa Monastery

Amalfi coast

If you are looking for a super romantic setting, luxurious accommodation and unusual beauty treatments, this former 17th-century monastery – perched spectacularly atop a cliff overlooking the Amalfi Coast between Amalfi and Positano – is the spa for it. you need. The main building, now inhabited by pampered guests instead of nuns, is surrounded by a herb garden bordering an infinity pool. When you reach the top, the church bell rings to welcome you to the Santa Rosa Monastery.

The treatment rooms are in the old wine cellar with vaulted ceilings and what it offers are bee pollen facials, aloe vera body wraps and hot candle wax massages . You will come out smelling sweet and relaxed and enjoying the wonderful sights and scent of the herbs, once used to make special creams for Catherine de Medici.

5. Lefay Resort & Spa

Garda lake

This elegant spa and resort is located in Gargnano, on the western shore of Lake Garda, around a 2-hour drive from Milan via Bergamo. Lefay Resort & Spa presents a successful combination of modern Italian design and oriental treatments and philosophy. The luxury hotel has been recently renovated and offers all white but comfortable rooms, as well as deep armchairs in the lobby to enjoy the view of the lake through large picture windows.

One of the treatments offered is moxibustion. Derived from Chinese medicine, this procedure involves burning mugwort leaves near the skin, and the heat is applied with a stick. This stimulates the flow of energy and strengthens the blood. Tai Chi classes with all their proven benefits for mental and physical balance are taught, as well as Zazen meditation.

Five new wellness trails offer, among other things, outdoor massages. In addition, the beautiful surroundings of Lake Garda invite rejuvenating walks in nature.

6. Montecatini Palace & Spa

Tuscany

The thermal baths of Montecatini in Tuscany, about 37 km from Florence, have been famous for centuries. The Montecatini Palace & Spa is the first hotel designed by Montecatini and as such it is a first-rate temple of modern wellness that leaves nothing to be desired.

Montecatini has four springs, which can be drunk in the Art Deco splendor of Terme Tettucio. This is a day spa where you pay a fee at the entrance and receive a drink and fill the marble sinks. There is also a four star hotel of the same name near the springs. Tettuccio helps fight constipation and the other sources are called Leopoldina (constipation), Regina (liver) and Rinfresco. The rooms of the Montecatini Palace are modern, there is also a huge swimming pool, a garden and, of course, treatments like massages and drinking the healing waters.

You arrive in Montecatini close to all the springs and the thermal spa, but there is another part, higher up, called Montecatini Alto, which can be reached by an old-fashioned funicular which dates from 1898.

7. Capri Palace Medical Spa at the Capri Palace hotel

Corsair

Be like leggy movie stars like Julia Roberts and pamper your legs, stimulate circulation and treat any type of vascular disease at the famous medical “leg school” at the glamorous Capri Palace Hotel & Spa on the romantic island of Capri . Yes, the treatments at this spa focus on the well-being of your legs, not only improving shape, but healing swollen ankles and anything that hurts your legs. For this purpose there are drainages, brisk walks in hot and cold Kneipp pools up to the thighs, mud wraps and yoga for the legs. Needless to say, these treatments are complemented by walks along the island; perhaps a visit to the villa of Axel Munte and the villa of the Roman Emperor Tiberius.

After your legs, pamper your face with a Valmont facial treatment, while enjoying breathtaking views of the Gulf of Naples. The hotel also has a first class restaurant and luxurious rooms.

8. Spa Mezzatorre

Ischia

The luxury hotel and spa Mezzatorre stands on the northwestern tip of the island of Ischia, with a 16th century watchtower overlooking a private bay. The buildings and hotel rooms have a distinct Arabic feeling, which is very eye-catching, and prompted Italian director Luchino Visconti to move here.

The thermal center, surrounded by thick bougainvillea, has hydrotherapy pools fed by the hotel’s thermal springs and even used for facials and specialist ear cleanings. However, Ischia is best known for the healing mud which brings help and relief to those suffering from dermatitis, rheumatism and respiratory problems. My mother, who suffered from rheumatism a lot, used to go there every year and avoided sore, deformed fingers.

9. Spa Thalasso Acquaforte

Sardinia

What cannot be left out in our list of the most luxurious spas in Italy is the place where 25 years ago Dr Cerina revolutionized the world of thalassotherapy in the Spa Acquaforte in Sardinia. The ancient Romans already knew about the healing properties of seawater and this concept has reached new heights in this exclusive resort. Thalasso is, after all, the Greek word for the sea. In thermal pools, sea water is used at varying degrees of temperature and saline density, all under first-rate medical supervision. Thalassotherapy helps detoxify and rejuvenate the whole body. In addition, there is an Ayurvedic park, yoga and aesthetic medical center.

The thermal spa complex is located next to the ancient town of Nora.