Lavey-les-Bains: Hidden Bliss

By Diana Baide, Guest Author

While you may not believe it now, this secret spot holds the key to an experience of deep relaxation and peace of mind when traveling through Switzerland. Les Bains de Lavey, or “the baths of Lavey,” are not just any regular day spa that you can pay a visit to on your way home from work—that would mean relaxation at a mere mediocre level. De-stressing at this Swiss thermal resort, however, is taken to the next level.

The bus

Lying hidden just 75 miles outside of Geneva in the Alps of Switzerland, these thermal baths at Lavey are accessible either by car or train. Going by train is probably the most popular with tourists (about 1.5 hours). If you’re departing from Geneva, take the train going towards Lausanne and get off at the St. Maurice station. Once you are there, you’ll see a post office. The bus that will take you to the thermal baths makes a stop in front of this post office and charges 3F per rider. The ride is about 10 minutes and the bus will drop you off right in front of the baths. And voila, you’ve reached the baths of bliss!

Prices vary depending on if you have kids, are a student, senior citizen, etc. Definitely don’t miss an opportunity to get a discount. Once you’ve paid your entry fee, you’ll be given a special card key that you’ll need to swipe in order to enter the spa facilities. Once inside, you’ll have access to lockers (operated by the card key), showers, hairdryers—clean, very secure, and free. Now it’s time to relish what you really came for. You can choose to keep your spa experience indoors, outdoors, or do both and get the best of both thermal worlds.

All the baths are kept at a stable warm temperature throughout the year. The indoor pool resembles something more like a Turkish hamam. Are you ready for the best part about it? Put your ears under water and you’ll hear soothing sounds changing every hour from classical music, to whale and dolphin calls. This is only the beginning of a very holistic experience. Next is the large outdoor bath complete with underwater jets for your back, neck showers, a mushroom waterfall, a whirlpool, and bubble beds. Not enough? How about the fact that this outdoor pool sits tucked between Alpine mountain peaks and pine trees. Enjoy the warm healthy waters and soothing jets while gazing at the towering cliffs overhead and the green valleys below.

The pavilions that lie beside the outdoor bath are also there to enhance your thermal bathing experience. The first pavilion, the Nordic Centre, has an ice bath, a snow cave and ice fountains. Try going into the chilling cold of the wells or the cave and then run back out to the warmth of the bath. Or maybe you’d prefer the Serenity Pavilion where you can bathe in ultraviolet lighting, experience the biosauna or traditional saunas, enjoy heated marble seats and Swiss showers. If you feel you want a break from the waters you can go back outside and take a nap on a sun bed, and when you’re ready you can jump back in. Depending on how long you wish to stay, you may be able to witness the illumination of the outdoor pool in the evening, which is absolutely incredible, creating a silhouette view of the mountains in the background. You won’t want to miss it.

Illumination of the baths

Once you go and experience this extraordinary spa relaxation, you won’t want to leave. Good news! You can prolong your stay by checking into the hotel Grand Hôtel des Bains or buy a seasonal package of treatments and relaxation for the year. No need to be ashamed of this much-deserved self-indulgence. No doubt it crosses everyone’s mind to extend their stay in this utopian thermal spa a little longer and avoid heading back to the real world. It’s a mind spell that happens to everyone, if you dare let yourself succumb to this hidden thermal bliss.

[photos courtesy of Diana Baide]