A new purpose-built spa building, like nothing I've ever seen before, on the outskirts of Florence.
We came here on a long weekend winter Saturday, which ought to have been a form of torture, though the large size of this spa managed to absorb the crowds just fine. The other guests were mostly couples, and a few groups of friends. People were relatively well behaved, except one guy who didn't follow the no-cell-phone rule and hence woke up a whole room full of happily napping people in one of the relax rooms (I tried to kill him with my evil eye, but he wasn't getting it). The best thing about this place may be that it doesn't allow minors under the age of 18.
The building has three levels and is open in the centre looking down to a large warm pool that has sliding doors to swim to the outside. On the various levels there are different types of saunas, a whirlpool and steam bath area, and then a TON of little rooms with different themes - salt, water, hay, "chapel", etc - with various types of relaxing surfaces, from padded benches right down to extremely comfortable double beds with cozy blankets.
The staff was generally helpful and informed, and there were lots of them, carefully watching and warning and cleaning everything. We had massages, which cost 59E for the hour (plus the time you're paying to be inside), the room was nice though nothing spectacular, the masseuse not bad, not the best i've ever had either.
On the negative, the reception and payment process needs streamlining - we had calculated using a 4 hour entry with a massage and time needed to get to dinner, but spent too long "checking in". Showers could have used more real-time cleaning (sadly, people are maleducati about leaving clumps of hair around) and most of all, the shower was not HOT but lukewarm... not ideal at the end of a relaxing afternoon. Hopefully staff will resolve these things, as the place is still really new.
No photos with my review because they are not allowed!! read more