Mountain Resort Spa venues

A mountain resort spa is the spa section inside a resort built on forest and mountain terrain. What sets it apart from spas at ski resorts is that it is not tied to a particular sport or to the snow season: guests come for peace and quiet, walking and nature, and the spa becomes a place to warm up and rest after a day spent outdoors.

Facilities and services

The guide's example of a mountain resort spa, Sagalassos Lodge & Spa, is set among pine forests in the Ağlasun district of Burdur. According to the property information, it has a heated indoor pool, a Turkish bath, a sauna, a jacuzzi, massage services and a fitness area. In the cool mountain climate, having an indoor, heated wet area means the property can also be used outside the summer months.

Who chooses it

A mountain resort spa suits those looking for a weekend away from the crowds of the coast, those who want to combine outdoor activities such as walking with the spa, and those holidaying in the cooler seasons. After a long walk, a sauna or hammam may help ease tiredness in the legs and back; a light Swedish massage afterwards helps you relax further. Ağlasun, where the guide's example is located, is known for its proximity to the ancient city of Sagalassos; for those who want to combine a nature walk with a cultural outing, this is another reason to choose it.

How it differs from ski and beach resorts

The mountain resort spa is the nature-focused subgroup of the resort spa parent category. A ski resort spa, by contrast, works around the snow season and guests coming back from the slopes; mountain resort spas are not tied to a particular season. While at beach resorts the spa rounds off a day at the beach, at a mountain resort it rounds off a forest walk and the cool air. At thermal hotels the spring water is at the heart of the visit; at mountain resort spas, what matters is the setting and the tranquillity.

Booking and how it works

Because getting to mountain resorts usually means leaving the city, spa use is generally planned together with an overnight stay; whether day visitors are admitted varies by venue. When booking, ask whether swimwear and a peshtemal are required for the hammam and pool, how use is arranged for women and men, and whether massages need to be booked in advance. After a walk you should drink water and rest before going into the hot areas; people who are pregnant or have cardiovascular disease or blood pressure problems should consult a doctor before using the sauna and hammam.