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Blind date in Poland >>

Text by Alison Hope

What comes to mind when you think of the word spa? White fluffy bathrobes, reviving facials and relaxing massages in tranquil surroundings? In Poland however, “spa” means so much more, with many spa resorts offering a wider selection of treatments than anywhere else in Europe – ranging from luxury pampering to more medical-oriented care for the elderly or those recovering from illness. Many spa resorts, such as Arka Medical Spa in the spa town of Kołobrzeg, and Sandra Spa in Pogorzelica – both on the Baltic coast - successfully manage to accommodate both guests looking for an opportunity to relax, unwind and enjoy aromatherapy massages and anti-cellulite treatments, as well as those seeking rehabilitation and other medical treatments.

Spa resorts can be found in over 40 towns and cities across Poland, from the Baltic coast in the north, to the mountainous regions in the south. They tend to be clustered around microclimates, pockets of air-pressure that can have particular benefits for conditions such as asthma or high blood-pressure. Just think how revived you feel after spending a couple of days at the coast, breathing in the iodine-rich sea air – the effect is exactly the same. Spa resorts also tend to be found close to natural sources of mineral rich mud and thermal waters, which are often incorporated into a wide variety of healing and rejuvenating treatments.

Spa resorts take many forms, from hotels such as the New Scanpol in the centre of Kołobrzeg, on the Baltic coast, which has an entire floor dedicated to spa treatments, to resorts such as Nałęczów near Lublin, which is spread across acres of countryside in South-Eastern Poland. However, the one thing they have in common is the fact that they are dedicated to the wellbeing of their guests. Some spa resorts specialise in treating particular conditions, such as respiratory problems, rheumatism or high-blood pressure, so if you are looking for treatment for a specific ailment, it is essential to do your research before you book.

What makes spa resorts in Poland so unique? Compared to spa resorts in other parts of the world, there is a much stronger emphasis on health and wellbeing. As well pampering treatments such as facials and pedicures, you can expect to find highly qualified dermatologists, physiotherapists and nutritionists. There is usually a medical doctor on call, particularly at the spa resorts which have a strong emphasis on rehabilitation. Qualified and experienced aestheticians are also available to provide minimally invasive treatments such as chemical peels, dermal fillers and dermabrasion, ensuring that you return from your break looking refreshed and revived.

When it comes to more familiar spa treatments, you will not be disappointed: popular spa treatments such as aromatherapy, lymphatic drainage and Swedish massage are widely available, and spa treatments from further afield, such as Ayurvedic massage originating from India and Thai style massage are increasingly available in many spa resorts across Poland. Beauty therapists use the same branded products that you would recognise from beauty salons at home in the United Kingdom or Ireland, for instance the Coen Spa near Łódż uses the Thalgo range of products, the Baginscy Spa on the Baltic Coast uses Mary Cohr products, while the Villa Park Spa in Ciechocinek, in the centre of Poland uses Clarins products. All of these are well-known branded products.

As you would expect, spa resorts offer swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms and Jacuzzis, as well as quiet places to relax and meditate, however there are also several treatments that are uniquely Polish, and which are not so widely available outside of Poland. For instance, kryotherapy involves spending 2-3 minutes in a chamber where the atmosphere is carefully controlled and the temperature is chilled to -135°C. While this may seem extreme, the atmosphere is kept dry, which makes it bearable and you emerge glowing and feeling energised. It has been proven to be beneficial in boosting the immune system and is commonly used to treat sports injuries, although it has also been reported to ease conditions as diverse as arthritis, cellulite and stress.

For a more gentle form of spa therapy, you might like to try a salt cave: these are naturally occurring in certain parts of Poland, with the most famous example being found in Wielieczka, near Kraków. The iodised atmosphere within these salt caves has been proven to be beneficial in easing thyroid and bronchial conditions. Some spa resorts have successfully recreated them within their resorts in order to harness these healing benefits.

Simply taking time away from the daily grind, and relaxing in pleasant surroundings is often enough to help you to unwind. Even if you don’t take advantage of all of the facilities or treatments on offer, spa resorts in Poland provide a peaceful place to relax with a book, meditate, or simply sit and watch the world go by from a patio. Great care is often taken to ensure that the environment is as relaxing as possible. For instance, the Coen Spa near Łódż is built around a lake, and Arka Medical Spa in Kołobrzeg is built on the edge of the beach, so that you can drift off to sleep to the sound of crashing waves.

Exercise is an important part of staying healthy, and Poland offers no end of opportunities to get moving: while most spa resorts boast a fully equipped fitness studio, and often several swimming pools, why not take your exercise outside? Take a brisk walk along the beaches of the Baltic coast, or hire a bike and explore the forests. Guests staying at the Villa Park Spa in Ciechocinek can go pony-trekking, and Baginscy Spa on the Baltic coast offers everything table-tennis, volleyball and basketball.
While the Baltic coast is a popular destination during the summer months, and the spa hotels in the mountains are always popular during the ski season, spa resorts can be enjoyed all year round, especially at resorts that have indoor facilities. The Sandra Spa in Pogorzelica has an indoor swimming pool, billiards room and even a bowling alley.
You would be forgiven for thinking that a stay in a spa resort would mean lettuce leaves for breakfast, lunch and dinner; however this is not necessarily the case. While you may be more inclined to select lighter options following any spa treatments, there are plenty of options to choose from - from health salads to more hearty Polish dishes, and you can even enjoy a beer or a glass of wine with your dinner. Larger spa resorts have also created special menus to cater for diabetic, low sodium and low fat diets.
Whether you are looking to get away from it all, or are simply looking to stay in comfortable surroundings, spa resorts and spa hotels in Poland are certainly worth discovering. Not only are they generally excellent value for money – and indeed may offer special weekend and seasonal packages, they are often located in some of the most beautiful parts of Poland, making them a good base to explore the surrounding region – unless you are tempted by another aromatherapy massage!

Popular Spa Treatments in Poland

Hydro-massage - pressurised water jets are used to massage the body. This relaxes tense muscles, increases blood flow to tissues, and increases the lymph flow.
Therapeutic mud treatments - specific parts of the body are covered with a mud pack of set temperature and thickness for deep-warming of the body, achieving an anti-inflammatory, regenerating and anti-bacterial effect.
Classic massage - applied to the whole body or locally, massage involves a specific succession of such techniques as stroking, and kneading. It improves circulation, increases tissue elasticity, relaxes tense muscles, and improves lymph circulation.
Magnetotherapy - treatment with a variable magnetic field improves peripheral circulation, accelerates regeneration processes such as healing of wounds and fractures, and has a painkilling, anti-inflammatory and soothing effect.
Power showers - a shower in water of varying pressure and temperature stimulates circulation, which has a calming effect and helps build up immunity.
Salt Caves - relaxing in pure air saturated with therapeutic sodium chloride as well as magnesium and calcium ions has been reported to ease conditions such as bronchitis and rheumatism.
Kryotherapy - the stimulating effects of extremely low temperatures, from -120°C, achieved using liquid nitrogen. This acts on the body's surface for 2-3 minutes, and causes a defensive reaction, leading to a painkilling, swelling-reducing and anti-inflammatory effect.

Salt Cave at Arka Medical Spa, Kołobrzeg

“ Taking a few days out of the office, the opportunity to do nothing but relax in Arka Medical Spa’s salt cave is a welcome one, and as somebody who suffers from mild asthma, I was keen to find out how effective it would be in easing my condition.
The salt cave is a small room that is filled with... yes, you’ve guessed it ... salt. The walls and the ceiling are constructed from large rocks of salt and the floor is covered in gravel that is in fact large crystals of salt, which crunches under my feet as I make my way to a reclining chair. The lighting is dark and atmospheric, though in the centre of the salt cave, a tree that has been carved from salt is gently illuminated.
A spa therapist follows me in and makes sure that I am comfortable, tucking a blanket over me. While it is not cold, the blanket somehow makes me feel more sleepy. As the therapist leaves the salt cave, ambient music starts to play quietly in the background, and I am left on my own to take a light nap and enjoy the benefits of the iodised environment.
After 45 minutes, the therapist returns, and my session is over. I feel nicely refreshed and really quite alert. My breathing is much clearer, and I do not need to use my asthma medication for the rest of my stay in Poland.”

Kryotherapy at Baltica Spa & Wellness, Szczecin

“Ever since I first heard about kryotherapy, I had been keen to try it. Following an initial consultation with the in-house medic at Baltica Spa & Wellness, during which she takes my blood-pressure and goes through my medical history, I am handed a bag containing a pair of clogs, long woolly socks, thick woolly gloves, towelling shorts, a towelling vest, a towelling headband and a surgical mask. I get changed, amused by the “outfit”.
Spa therapists are on hand to explain everything to me, even offering to come into the kryo-chamber with me – but I am feeling brave! I start off in a chamber that is chilled to -10°C. The door is firmly locked, yet the therapist can still see me through the window, and can talk to me via a microphone. He encourages me to walk around and move my arms. It does feel a little cool – but not unpleasantly so. After 30 seconds, I progress to the next chamber which is chilled to -60°C. While it does feel colder, it is not unbearable. The therapist continues chatting to me, asking me how I am feeling and encouraging me to keep moving. Yes, I do feel a bit silly, but I walk around in a circle and swing my arms before moving into the third and final chamber, which is chilled to -120°C, the coldest temperature that I am going to experience today. Again, it is not exactly unbearable, though my arms are starting to turn pink. After two minutes, I feel that I’ve been in the kryo-chamber for long enough, and decide that it is now time to come out.
Once outside the kryo-chamber, the next step is to gently raise my body temperature in the fitness centre, where I gradually build up my temperature on a treadmill under the supervision of spa therapists. While the in-house medic did advise me that the benefits of kryotherapy are not really seen until after a couple of sessions, I certainly felt great even after one session - completely alert and full of energy. My skin looks great too – plumped up and definitely glowing”.
Photographs Courtesy of Baltica Spa & Wellness, Szczecin

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