This place is amazing! There is something for everyone! Feeling active? Go swim a few laps in the…read moreindoor 25-metre lap pool. Or practice your diving skill by jumping off a diving board into the diving pool. Got babies and children that just want to splash around? Stop by kiddie pool where they can splish and splash until their heart's content. For the older kids, or the kid inside of you, head to the Fun Tower for a variety of water slides. Want to take in the great outdoors? Then swim out to the outdoor pool and take in the slopes, all the while not leaving the pool! Or if you're in need of pampering, head to the spa for some quiet, relaxing time. Luckily we were given wristbands from the hotel we were staying at which gave us free entry into the spa and aquatics area. (And you bet we took advantage of it. We went everyday during our stay!) Without it, there is a separate entrance fee for each area: spa, pool, and gym. The spa is located on the second floor, while the aquatics is on the ground floor. The locker room is very basic. Be sure to bring your own shampoo/conditioner, towels, and slippers. Hair dryers are provided. The outdoor pool with the Jacuzzi beds was unbelievable! Since we went during winter, the surrounding was breathtaking. It was like a winter wonderland.The contrast of the warm water and freezing cold temperature was definitely an experience. To be able to see frost form on your eyelashes and hair right before your eyes is something else! This was the definitely the highlight of my visit! Be sure to stop by the Fun Tower. It is located in between the kiddie pool and lap pool. (We had a bit of a hard time finding it since it's tucked away.) There's a 3 lane water slide where you can race with others to see who can get the fastest time. There was another water slide where honestly, it was so scary for me, haha. It's like a straight shot down into darkness. So if you're looking for some adrenaline action, that's the water slide for you. We also did another slide where you can get either a one or two person seater floatie and head down a twisty, winding water chute. We also had the opportunity to use their spa. There are areas where it's women / men only and coed area. There are a vast array of saunas and steam baths for you to choose from. There's also a coed area where you can relax on lounge chairs and take a nap or read a magazine. But most importantly, there is the Bio-Sauna which requires you to go NUDE. That's right, no swimwear allowed. We found out this the hard way when we opened the door and had a viewing of everyone in their birthday suits! So what do you do when you're feeling hungry? There is a bistro located on the first floor. You can also order healthy snacks at the spa. Or if you would like a quick bite and don't want to change out of your swimwear, there is a counter that sells light bites such as hot dog, drinks, and candies for your sweet tooth. And please note, the hot dog is not American style bun. Instead the hot dog is nestle in a bun, which I have to say is genius! No way that hot dog is slipping out of the bun! Also, no need to bring cash/credit card as payment. The wristband that is given to you is how you will pay for your meal. At the end of the visit, that's when you can pay with your credit card/cash. I'm honor to be the first to write a review for this place. Just thinking about it, makes me what to be back there now. If you're staying in St. Moritz, this place is a must! I can't wait to come back again!

From the owner: Im Alpenquell Erlebnisbad gibt es viel zu entdecken: Das Mehrzweckbecken für Schwimmer und…read moreNichtschimmer mit 187 m2 (29°C), das Erlebnisbecken (33°C) mit diversen Sprudelliegen und Massagedüsen, das Kinderplanschbecken, der Whirlpool (37°C) und zur Abkühlung der Kaltwasserfall. In der Sauna-Welt können Sie entschlacken und den Kreislauf anregen in der Arven Biosauna (55°C), der finnischen Sauna (95°C), der Infrarotsauna oder im grossen Dampfbad. Zwischen den Saunagängen im Ruheraum entspannen.

Review #2500. "I…read morework a little bit like a sculptor. When I start, my first idea for a building is with the material. I believe architecture is about that. It's not about paper, it's not about forms. It's about space and material" said the Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. In the case of Therme Vals his material was 60,000 slabs of local quartzite and his space a mountainside in the Swiss Alps. Built atop thermal springs, this incredible homage to water is one of the most breathtaking places I've seen up close. When architects are particularly obnoxious they speak of building the space, not the walls. It's no wonder they're drawn here -- now they can pontificate on another dimension: the water. How it feels. How it sounds. Even how it tastes. All kidding aside, I think the architects are onto something here. In the same way that light animates a space, water at Therme Vals is similarly abstracted. Its echo as it rushes through the quarzite walls; the way in which as you are in the water you are also in the mountains from which the water comes. The ride through the Alps from Zurich alone is worth the trip to Therme Vals, and when you arrive you will notice the place has a somewhat sacred feeling to it. As the Pritzker prize (architecture's Nobel) winner aptly put it, "Our spa is no fun fair." You will not find a menu of detoxifying lunch options, herbal tea or magical panpipe music here. In place of such frivolities you will be given the chance to luxuriate in a pure and unadulterated bathing experience. Whilst doing so you may gaze out upon cleverly framed views of the expansive Alps (a reminder of where it all comes from) or fall asleep in the sunshine on the stone outside. It is meditative even for those least able to quiet their minds. You can hop from the fire pool to the ice pool, swim in the outdoor pool and then relax in the flower pool (my favourite) before doing it all over again. Should you want a beverage in the baths you can drink from a brass cup attached to a chain beneath a rush of water; its ferrous taste as unique as the place itself. I spent but a few hours at Therme Vals though I often fantasise about returning to stay at the hotel (in one of the Zumthor-designed rooms) and partaking of the baths at night (only hotel guests are permitted in from 19:00-20:00) and in between hikes in the Alps for several days at a stretch.

Bathing in thermal waters inside a national monument, the uncontested masterpiece of the famous…read morearchitect Peter Zumthor, makes always a certain effect, especially if the environment is so far from your everyday surroundings. When you enter the narrow corridor, like a tunnel which leads to changing rooms, you seem to go in a mine through bowels of the earth. The spaces are very elegant and linear, walls are flatware of squares of quartzite, the local rock, which colour is pearled grey with clearer and darker nuances. It is soft and warm and if the sunlight touches it, it glitters particularly when the rays reach the water of the outdoor swimming pool. In the indoor spaces there is half-light everywhere: in the elegant cloakrooms, in the cabins of the massages, in the relax rooms, in the indoor swimming pools. Except sun beds in mahogany tree and doors of blue glass there are no decorative elements, such as e.g. vases of flowers or quite simply some colour spots. The impression which you receive is of a total immersion in another (if I dare to say, almost supernatural) dimension made of silence and relaxation.

Great place to grab a drink and light snack before dinner. The sunset view is amazing and it's…read morefairly priced. They only make reservations for hotel guests so if you aren't staying at the hotel make sure to arrive early if you want a window seat to watch the sunset.

The Art Boutique Hotel Monopol's central location in St. Moritz is perfect - minutes from the…read morefunicular for skiing, and surrounded by great shops and restaurants (Chesa Veglia for truffle pizza and Bäckerei Bad, with its delicious Nut Cake, are highly recommended!). Rooms are lovely, and the double coffee option (in-room and lobby) was a thoughtful touch. Service was excellent, with attentive staff offering helpful recommendations. The funky art, relaxing Sky Spa, and vibrant Sky Bar (with stunning mountain and lake views!) created a fun and memorable atmosphere. Highly recommend!

It's on a good place and has a wonderful backward. Guests can enjoy activities, such like golf,…read morehiking, etc. I'd like to stay again in this wonderful hotel ...

As a part of Annette's 100 review challenge for this week; 'review your favorite winter activity',…read moreI decided to review this brilliant hotel up in the Alps. Historically I have always been in charge of travel itineraries for trips my husband and I take, for the reason that I enjoy planning these events and for the reason that I tend to kick some serious butt at it. In 2006 I planned a surprise long weekend for my hon, and took him up in the mountainous Alps. Not only was the drive from Munich wonderfully beautiful (minus the hefty speeding ticket), once we arrived in Bad Ragaz we knew we were about to have a wonderful time. In German speaking countries, any city or town that starts with 'Bad' has to have (by law) very pure and clean air, and/or another form of natural therapeutic qualities. In the old times (and still nowadays) doctors would often recommend for their patients to either vacation in or relocate to one of these 'spa-towns' to improve their overall health. So in this case bad actually means good. I cannot tell you the look of surprise on my husbands face once we pulled through the gate, and he realized that we were staying in a true castle. The castle is ancient, dark, beautiful and everything you would expect a castle in the Alps to be. Though old, it is nicely kept up and very clean and regal. The room we stayed in was the size of a small studio, it was gloriously charming in all the right ways. Each morning as I opened the windows I felt like a princess, all that was missing were hummingbirds and frollicking bunnies on the lawn. The hotel has a restaurant with good food, and continental breakfast was included. There is plenty of things to do and explore in the area, but the main draw has to be the thermal springs and spa. It takes approximately fourteen years for this mineral rich water to trickle down through the Alps until it finally reaches the hot springs. Relaxing in this water does not only feel good, it is reportedly also good for you. Take a lift up the 2km high mountain and watch the wildlife below you. Go skiing, snowboarding, langlaufing or snowangel making. Take a stroll through the pictoresque village of Bad Ragaz. Test your luck at the casino. Take a day trip to the breathtaking gorge nearby.. This little town has it all and then some. And did I mention you get to stay in a castle?! It is important to note that when you visit Germany, Switzerland, Austria, well - pretty much the whole region hotels and restaurants will be different than you are used to. They are not your Marriott or Hilton resort that gets redecorated every year or two and the style of decorating will be relevant to the country the establishment is placed in. Take a look at the website if you are interested in booking, just so that you are informed of your options when staying here. I highly recommend this hotel to everyone that might be interested in visiting the region, we have had a great time staying here!