Evaluate: Aqua Dome Lodge & Spa (Austrian Alps)

April 10, 2025

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At this time: Evaluate of Aqua Dome Lodge & Spa (Austria)

As Austria’s largest vacationer undertaking so far, Aqua Dome is situated within the lovely Ötztal Valley, surrounded by the Tyrolean Alps and near tiny Austrian city of Längenfeld. Right here, in 1997, a borehole tapped thermal water from a depth of 1,865 m (6,118 ft) for the primary time. A subsequent funding of greater than 70 million euros put Längenfeld and the entire of Austrian Tyrol on the map of thermal spa tourism in a single go. What adopted is a hit story that continues to at the present time. Aqua Dome is arguably probably the most iconic thermal spa in Austria, if not your entire Alps. The thermal spa and resort have welcomed nearly seven million company within the 20 years since opening. Aqua Dome boasts futuristic trying spa and health amenities with a spread of swimming pools, saunas and a small play space for kids. Friends of the resort even have unique entry to Spa 3000 (a premium spa throughout the spa).

Aqua Dome options in my prime 10 listing of the finest motels in Austria.

Have you ever ever stayed at Aqua Dome? In that case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark.

On this evaluate (extra information and images under my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

The structure of Aqua Dome – which consists of two linked websites (the spa and the resort) – is completely suited to the encircling mountain panorama. The resort itself contains a conventional but trendy Alpine structure. Using wooden, stone and enormous home windows within the resort’s façade and terraces has been fastidiously introduced collectively by expert architects, as a way to spotlight the pure fantastic thing about the Ötztal Valley. In distinction, the spa – which is situated barely uphill from the resort – boasts an attention grabbing, futuristic structure with a glass-domed design. Right here, a conical quantity connects three bowl-shaped swimming pools which appear to levitate above the bottom’s floor, nearly creating the look of a space-ship. The jagged roof of the primary spa constructing echoes the formation of the encircling mountains in form and materiality.

On the within, the Aqua Dome Lodge contains a heat Alpine decor, mixing traditional, up to date and native farmhouse design. The foyer’s open-plan structure, wooden panelling and earthy tones seize the character of the Ötztal mountains. On the coronary heart of the foyer is a powerful bar space, full with a piano, mirrored ceiling and a glass wall stocked with wonderful wines and charcuterie. The passionate and educated bar staff has chosen nicely over 100 kinds of gin, taking even connoisseurs into a complete new world of taste. Proper behind the bar, as an extension to the foyer area, is a comfy lounge centered round an open fireplace, with a number of snug seats organized round espresso tables (the proper spot for an aperitif after a day exploring the mountains or enjoyable within the spa).

Aqua Dome Lodge options greater than 200 lodging, all fitted with an Alpine decor that creates a homey ambiance with out sacrificing consolation. Starting from cozy double rooms to panoramic suites with fireplaces to spacious “Raumwunder” household suites with a number of rooms and bogs, the rooms look significantly inviting because of crimson parts and wooden accents blended with heat earth tones. Throughout my go to, I stayed in an Auszeit Double Room, which contains a queensize mattress, a sitting space, and a panoramic terrace with a view of the mountains. The ensuite rest room was geared up with one was basin and a bath (which additionally doubled because the bathe). The mini-bar was stocked with complimentary non-alcoholic drinks (juices, glowing water and nonetheless water).

Proper behind the foyer is Aqua Dome’s single restaurant, which was lately modernised in a brand new type, with a glass extension and big panoramic home windows, bringing the character of the Ötztal Valley inside. The restaurant is a gigantic area, divided into 4 completely different eating rooms, every with their very own distinctive furnishing ideas. Impressed by the alpine environment, vibrant grass inexperienced and darkish cranberry crimson dominate in two of the eating places. The panoramic extension of the ‘Enzian’ space connects the indoor and out of doors space, whereas a flowered bench within the ‘Blumenwiese’ winter backyard invitations company to remain some time. Every morning, the eating places provides a wonderful breakfast unfold, from freshly baked deal with and smoked delicacies to all kinds of alpine cheeses. At night time, the restaurant serves a five-course gourmand dinner, which is mixture of a buffet and à la carte dishes, equivalent to Ötztal trout in alpine caviar, breasts from farm geese with French mountain thyme, and alpine lamb marinated in woodruff.

Most likely probably the most fascinating a part of Aqua Dome Lodge is its location proper subsequent to the gorgeous spectacular Aqua Dome thermal spa, which provides greater than 10 swimming pools and dozens of wellness amenities. Staying within the resort is one of the simplest ways to expertise this iconic thermal spa advanced (also known as probably the most iconic spa within the Alps). A heated, underground walkway connects the resort to the primary spa advanced. Lodge company get limitless entry to your entire thermal bathtub bathhouse, sauna world, and health middle in addition to unique entry to the two-story Spa 3000 and panorama rest room. Moreover, Aqua Dome resort company get early entry (7 am) to the thermal baths, two hours earlier than the advanced opens to the general public (9 am). That implies that resort company can benefit from the floating basins and swimming pools in peace earlier than the non-hotel visitor arrive.

On the coronary heart of the Aqua Dome Spa is the Crystal Middle, an infinite, three-level glass construction which homes two giant swimming pools with thermal spring water (one at a temperature of 93°F or 34°C, and one at a temperature of 97°F or 36°C), a solarium and a number of other quiet rooms. The spotlight of Crystal Middle is its large glass entrance that gives an open view of the mountainous environment of the Ötztal Alps – merely breathtaking! The Crystal Middle connects to Aqua Dome’s well-known out of doors swimming pools, which is assortment of three kinds of swimming swimming pools:
- A bubbly river pool – with a mild present and a few rapids – takes company from The Crystal Middle’s indoor pool to the spa’s elevated basin swimming pools
- A glass pyramid provides entry to 3 eye-catching pool basins that float over the opposite swimming pools like an UFO. Every basin has its personal particular attraction. The only real basin has a salt content material of 5%, with light underwater music and lighting results. Pure sulphur spring water flows into the thermal waters within the sulphur basin pool each quarter-hour. The third basin – a therapeutic massage basin – is ideal for individuals who wish to add power and vitality to their aquatic pleasure.
- A 25 m (82 ft) lap pool stretches underneath the basins and contains a nice water temperature of 78°F (26°C).

Reserved solely for company staying on the Aqua Dome Lodge, Spa 3000 is unfold throughout the highest two flooring of the primary spa constructing and provides magnificent views of the encircling mountains. Its trendy design combining pinewood, granite and enormous glass facades with panoramic views brings the uncooked fantastic thing about the Ötztal Valley inside. The cathedral-like inside of Spa 3000 homes amenities equivalent to a bar, a rest space, a hearth room, a Jacuzzi, and a sauna, all opening to a big rooftop terrace with the perfect views within the Aqua Dome advanced. A centrally positioned staircase leads from Spa 3000’s higher ground to a decrease degree, the place one finds a number of extra rest areas, full with steam baths, a sauna and a small indoor pool, constructed alongside a pure moss-covered wall.

The Aqua Dome Spa can also be residence to a formidable garment-free sauna space, which options quite a lot of saunas, equivalent to a loft sauna, a stone sauna, a sauna canyon, and hay barn sauna. The sauna additionally provides sauna Aufguss (sauna infusion), through which sauna masters swing their towel a number of instances a day or invite company on a scented journey with glacier ice, mountain honey, Swiss stone pine magic or salt peeling. The sauna space can also be residence to a rest lounge, a cafetaria, steam baths, a number of indoor whirpools, in addition to a ravishing 20 m (66 ft) lengthy out of doors pool, which is stuffed with 34°C (93°F) heat pure thermal water. From the sauna space, it’s only a quick stroll to the remedy space, which is situated one ground under Spa 300 (on the identical degree because the health middle). Right here, there are 17 remedy areas, the place massages, scrubs, and facials make use of native honey, herbs, salt, and even wooden (it’s recommened to prebook your remedy to keep away from disappointment).

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Aqua Dome payments itself as a 4-star superior resort (and never as a five-star resort). IMHO, the resort might nearly cross for a 5 star property: many of the resort’s communal amenities have an expensive ambiance (particularly for the reason that latest improve of the foyer) and don’t really feel that completely different from another 5 star motels. Additionally, the service was glorious throughout my keep and the meals providing was moderately good as nicely (each dinner and breakfast). Nonetheless, the one space had been the resort dissatisfied me a bit had been the rooms. Whereas my room (an Auszeit Double Room) was clear, spacious and cozy, it felt a bit fundamental with dated furnishings, and lacked an expensive design (I suppose that’s why the resort sticks to its 4-star superior grading).

Most individuals keep on the Aqua Dome Lodge to have entry to the Aqua Dome Spa subsequent door. It’s necessary to emphasise that the spa is open to the general public, so it may really feel very busy and crowded, nearly like an amusement park. That mentioned, the resort does provides its company early entry to the spa (two hours previous to most of the people), so in case you might be an early riser, you may benefit from the spa and its swimming pools in whole tranquility. The complete place additionally empties out within the late night, making this one other nice time to discover. As well as, resort company have unique entry to the Spa 3000 – a spa throughout the spa – the place they will spend their time in serenity, silence and calmness (away from the crowds).

With greater than 200 rooms, Aqua Dome is a very giant property. In case you are on the lookout for an intimate property within the mountains, it’s best to positively keep elsewhere. Throughout my keep, the resort felt busy (particularly through the meal instances since there is just one restaurant the place all resort company have breakfast and dinner) however not over-crowded. To deal with the excessive variety of company (each on the resort and the spa), all company obtain a chip wristband at check-in. This wristband could really feel a bit bizarre at first however it’s a multi-functional device: it opens the resort room and grants resort company limitless entry to all areas of the spa (e.g. thermal baths, Sauna World, Spa 3000, health middle); all extras (e.g. lunch, drinks and so on…) can be charged to the chip wristband.

MY VERDICT

Location: 7/10
Design: 8/10
Pool: 10/10
Rooms: 7/10
Meals: 8/10
Breakfast: 9/10
Spa: 10/10
Service: 8/10
Wow issue: 9/10
Worth for cash: 9/10
Total expertise: excellent – 8/10

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BEST TIME TO VISIT

Aqua Dome is a vacation spot that may be visited year-round.

HOW TO GET THERE

Aqua Dome is straightforward to succeed in by prepare (Ötztal railway station) and by airplane (Innsbruck & Munich). Street transfers between the airport, prepare station and resort might be organized by means of the resort concierge.