Bad Ragaz
I know now how heaven looks & feels!
I treat myself to a spa weekend in the 5* Grand Hotel Bad Ragaz, a lovely town only 80 km from Zurich.
This historic spa town, with thermal water that is always 36.5C, and has a special mineralization, is surrounded by a spectacular mountain backdrop. The Tamina Gorge, from which thermal water has been bubbling for thousands of years, was discovered by Benedictine monks in 1242 and they quickly recognized the healing properties of the water ((but I wonder how these pioneering monks went down there in the first place!) Access to the gorge proved to be extremely difficult, so the first bathers had themselves abseiled 70 meters down in baskets, brave people!
From 1350 onwards, wooden bathhouses were built across the roaring gorge. After the doctor and alchemist Paracelsus described the power of water in a work in the 16th century, more and more people made pilgrimages to bad Ragaz in search of healing. Since 1840, the thermal water has flowed through a four-km-long pipeline directly to Bad Ragaz. This laid the foundation for the community’s worldwide reputation as a bathing and health resort. Illustrious guests such as Thomas Mann and Victor Hugo stayed in the famous spa town. ….. and then fast-forward and I also made it to test the amazing thermal waters in 2024.
I stayed at the incredible Grand Hotel Bad Ragaz, and from the moment I was welcomed by the valet parking staff, I knew it was going to be an incredible experience. The reception staff were genuinely attentive and friendly, and they informed me of a wine tasting event in the afternoon. I attended it, and I tasted one of the most delicious Pinot Noir in years. I learned talking to the friendly wine bar staff, that we were surrounded by the picturesque vineyards of the Bündner Herrschaft region. Later Paolo, one of the Concierges, suggested a nice “wine walk” during my stay.
The following day, I visited the Spa at 8 am, I was amazed by the beauty of the thermal water pool. I did the water circuit enjoying bubbles massages for my back and feet, the warm water was “water heaven”. I finished the spa experience with a complementary herbal tea in a quiet room.
Before my wine hike, I choose the option for the buffet breakfast restaurant, and it was impressive! Table after table of fresh local products, freshly made juices and international dishes. I was ready for my walk to Maienfeld Castle, but a bit too full, so I walked slowly, it lasted almost 1.5 hour. In Maienfield I had the opportunity of enjoying two wine tasting, and when exploring this beautiful town, big tour buses passed by. I saw that near by was “Heididorf” a fictional alpine town that includes Heidi house, so this region is known as “Heidi Land”, as this area inspired Johana Spyri to write the world-famous novels about this little girl from the mountains: Heidi.
I believe I had a more interesting pursue (wine!) anyway, so I gave Heidi village a miss. The rest of the way I took local buses, one to Flash, were I stopped at “Weingut Hermann” buying a few bottles of the Pinot Noir I had tested the night before. With my precious cargo I took another local bus back to Bad Ragaz, and just on time to enjoy the opening of the 9th Swiss Sculpture Triennial, with 80 artists from all over the world presenting their amazing sculptures. It is Europe’s largest open-air exhibition and it will be held in Bad Ragaz and Vaduz until October 30, 2024.
The Grand Resort Bad Ragaz is what I believe Heaven must look like! It is surrounded by gorgeous gardens full of flowers and art, beautifully decorated interiors, sublime food and a fabulous Spa with its historic thermal water. I left the hotel feeling healthier and happier, and I hope to return next year, to see the big Public Spa house built in 1886, that sadly was under renovation during my stay.
