I am back in Berlin for the week and decided to treat myself to a few spa experiences. During my…read moreresearch I honed in on 2 spas in particular (and I'll write a review for both) - Liquidrom and Vabali. I went to Vabali first, and Liquidrom second.
Liquidrom: The pool is within a quick walk from the U Bahn. It's a cool building (though the spikes belong to Tempodrom, not the pool portion).
Upon checking in and getting changed in the locker room, I felt like it was basic, but functional. Their shower gel in the showers is nothing special or premium, but it works.
Once showered, you enter a long hallway. And this is where the confusion begins. There is not a lot to do here. It's bizarrely disjointed since it's partially clothed partially nude. The clothed portion is the salt water pool. This is what you're paying €22.50 for 2 hours for. It's one pool (and I guess a tiny outside pool to sit in, but you'll mingle with nude people from the spa, if you're expecting to stay clothed). I think this whole space would make a lot more sense if they don't upcharge you for the spa, but make it one holistic no clothing experience for the full pool and spa.
The pool itself is decent. It's moody with LED lighting and music playing. But it's not really that big. And it's circular, so I am not really sure what you're supposed to do here for 2 hours. It's the only thing you've payed for (other than optional massages and whatnot).
Anyway, over to the Spa I went. €2.50 upcharge (once) and you're in through the turnstiles. And again I am confused. Where are you supposed to put your swim trunks? There are open lockers, but I saw a few people schlep their garments around all the time.
In the spa. you have 4 saunas. 2 of which are pretty nice (the Aufguss Sauna at 90c and the Kräutersauna (I forgot the temp). The other two are a steam room and a 60c salt room (that I found to be kinda useless. It was not warm enough really to do anything).
I was able to join one infusion in the Aufguss sauna, and that was hot and decently nice. The issue I was having (and the reason I only got to do one) is that signage and clocks are not super obvious. Apparently they only do these once per hour at the full hour. I got there shortly before 10am. I would've liked to at least have a chance to join the 10am one, but I didn't know, nobody tells you anything, and signage is hidden right by the Sauna, so deeper into the spa.
I left after reaching the 2 hour mark, since I didn't want to pay for 4 hours (which is charges you if you go over). I won't come back. I think this place is crazy expensive for what you can do here. The spa facilities are confusing and not that great. Going to Vabali is not that much more expensive, but you get SO MUCH more. Don't bother going here, seriously, just don't.
