Grand Hotel des Bains

The hotel is at the thermal center. It is thus far away of every big city especially by public transport as I have to take the infrequent bus. Room I was disappointed for an expensive hotel it was very small. There is no more place in the fridge because of all what they want to sell to drink or eat. The thermal center is good, the food is good and the hotel interior is beautiful. Overall it is overpriced even at the lowest price I think it wasn't worth it and I am a big fan of thermal station. The price fluctuate a lot try to get it on the cheap.

We visited the Baths and wellness centre as day guests on a Sunday. We had spent a few days snowboarding in Villars nearby and wanted a quiet Sunday with a couples massage. The massage was exceptional. Possibly the best I’ve ever had. Therapists got the exact pressure and were polite and professional. The therapy rooms are ok, few details like the blinds were broken in places so room didn’t darken properly and the bin was full and not closing. It was almost lovely but just missed the mark. The whole of the hotel/baths/wellness centre was hugely busy. It took 15 minutes to find somewhere to park. The setting although pretty at one angle actually has a really industrial park feel from the other direction. For those Brits reading it is more like a local leisure centre with business hotel attached than a boutique spa. There was no space in any of the restaurants even trying to book 5 days ahead and so we ended up with a school cafe like sandwich and machine coffee which was not worth the price tag. (Book very far ahead if you’re wanting a space for the nicer ones is my advice). The baths themselves are huge! And very very busy. Considering it was not holiday time and a Sunday I would say they over book far too many people. There was no where to put your towel (which is mandatory by the way and not provided). There was little space in the sauna and it was not getting hot due to the large number of people going in and out. Similar problem with Turkish steam rooms. Getting a sun lounger to read and relax was out of the question. There was rarely space in the jacuzzi areas. And there was a a rush of people every time a space was available. However it was beautifully clean and cared for. The staff were lovely and efficient. Overall lots of things to love but was not the quiet boutique feel I thought from the pictures I would be getting. I would go back, just with different expectations as although it felt crowded the waters were lovely and I left feeling relaxed and happy.

The bed was comfortable and the curtains were very good (I hate curtains that don't completely block the light). The spa looked good but I didn't have time to use it. The shower was terribly designed - when I used it it flooded half of the bathroom floor. There were also no television channels in English - not a single one. We weren't allowed to play pool after 11pm because the noise might disturb guests in the bedrooms above - that can't be right.

Too crowded, very very crowded, maybe the most crowded place in Switzerland, potentially the most crowded pool on earth, baths were also crowded, so were the saunas and inside pools as well as showers. So in a nutshell it is extremely crowded..

Thank you for the pleasant atmosphere, for agreeing to decorate the room for my son, for the friendly staff, and the delicious food.