The hotel was built in 1987 - but feels more like it was built in the 1970's. The signage is confusing and we almost gave up trying to find it - even though it is a stone's throw (behind some trees) from the central Spa in Zurzach. When we finally found it we were on the verge of leaving to find "something better" - even if it meant driving back to Zurich - as this was our last night in Europe before taking an early flight back to California. How lucky we were to have been too tired to change properties! Once inside, the warm welcome and friendly reception eased our way into what still seemed " like a poor sister" property. Our room was a corner one with great balcony - lovely view of a waterfall and pond. Comfortably furnished with an excellent new king sized mattress and bedding that was much better than many 5* hotels! The price of the room included entrance to the spa so we donned the robes from the bathroom and hurried over there. Don't forget to take your room towels too as the spa CHARGES 3 francs for a small towel - we decided to do without towels as we didn't have money with us. Once inside, the place felt very clinical - a spa for the people - like what one might have expected in the former Soviet Union. I was used to the Grand Hotel Quellenhof in Bad Ragaz - quite a different - higher end experience to be sure. In Zurzach one mingles with backpackers, Russians, locals and lots of children. Once I got over my snobfest, I couldn't believe the clarity and texture of the water. It was SO INCREDIBLE. Absolutely all my stress melted away and I felt reborn. The pool I liked best was adults only and had a "Jet Line" where you waited in cue to be zapped by jets starting at the knee level - all the way up to neck level - it was amazing. Better than a full body massage. The hotel food was expensive and not that great - I would recommend a walk into the charming village for a pizza or sandwich. We had some bread and salami for dinner in the room and were very happy. Breakfast was adequate - and the cappucinos were included and excellent. We need to leave early and the hotel management made sure we were served by 6:45am before the official buffet breakfast started. I highly recommend this place as a stopover upon arrival or departing from Europe to de-stress after or before a flight. Why don't we have a mineral spring spa pool in the United States to match the ones in Europe? It's a grown up water park that makes you really feel young again.
GO - you'll love it.
Clean, relaxing and well worth the money.
Pauli Moss
Beverly Hills, CA