Wellness holiday in Spa and the Ardennes: sauna, jacuzzi and relaxation
Spa earned its name honestly. The town in the Ardennes hills gave its name to wellness centres worldwide and remains Belgium's most famous wellness destination today. But beyond Spa itself, the region offers dozens of holiday homes with sauna, jacuzzi or hot tub. Here is how to choose the best one.
Holiday homes with private sauna in the Ardennes average €120 to €220 per night for two people. Homes with jacuzzi start from €100. For a weekend in Spa itself, it is best to combine a private stay outside the centre, giving you peace and quiet while the town's wellness facilities are still within walking distance.
Spa: the wellness capital of Belgium
Spa has been famous for its spring water for centuries. European nobility and aristocrats came here to take the waters in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today Spa attracts visitors both to the thermal spa Les Thermes de Spa and to the Formula 1 circuit at Spa-Francorchamps, just 10 kilometres away.
The Les Thermes de Spa wellness centre offers access to a thermal pool, sauna landscape, hammam and various treatments. A day ticket costs between €30 and €60 per person. Combine this with a private holiday home outside the centre and you have the best of both worlds: private peace during the day, professional wellness as an outing.
Holiday homes with private wellness in the Ardennes
The supply of holiday homes with private sauna, jacuzzi or hot tub in the Ardennes has grown strongly in recent years. Owners know guests are willing to pay more for private wellness, and have invested accordingly. You will now find at least a handful of homes with their own sauna area in almost every sub-region.
The best concentration of this type of home is in the High Fens (around Malmedy and Stavelot), in the area around Spa itself and in the Semois valley. These three areas combine attractive countryside with a well-developed offering.
What to look for in a wellness holiday home?
- Private or shared sauna?, private is more pleasant but more expensive
- Indoor or outdoor jacuzzi?, outdoors in winter with the steaming water vapour is special
- Is there also a steam room or infrared cabin?
- How many people does the sauna comfortably seat?
- Is there special lighting or a starry-sky effect?
- Are towels and bathrobes included or do you need to bring your own?
What wellness facilities are there and what is the difference?
Not every home with 'wellness' in the description offers the same thing. It is worth knowing exactly what each facility involves before you book.
Outdoor hot tub / outdoor jacuzzi
A heated bubble bath on the terrace or in the garden. The most sought-after facility in Ardennes holiday homes. The water is kept at a constant temperature of around 38°C. Ideal for two people wanting to relax with a view of the countryside.
Wood-fired hot tub
A round wooden tub heated by a built-in or under-mounted wood stove. It takes 2 to 3 hours for the water to reach temperature, but the ritual of lighting the fire and waiting is part of the experience. The water has a softer, more organic feel than an electrically heated jacuzzi.
Finnish sauna
A dry heat cabin at high temperature (80 to 100°C) with low humidity. Traditionally a sauna session involves pouring water on the stones (löyly), cooling off outside or under a cold shower, then going back in. Deep muscle relaxation and improved circulation are the main benefits.
Infrared cabin
A cabin using infrared radiation rather than hot air. The temperature is lower (45 to 60°C), making it more comfortable for those who find a classic sauna too intense. Infrared cabins are also more energy-efficient.
Steam room / hammam
A room filled with hot steam at a lower temperature (40 to 50°C) but high humidity. Particularly good for the skin and respiratory system. Less common in private holiday homes but available in larger wellness chalets.
In-home massages
Some owners or local therapists offer massages on-site. Ask your host in advance. An hour's massage in your own holiday home followed by a sauna session is the ultimate combination.
When is the best time for a wellness weekend in the Ardennes?
Wellness in the Ardennes is enjoyable all year round, but the feel of it varies considerably with the seasons.
Autumn (September, November)
The forests turn red and golden brown, the air is crisp and the summer crowds have gone. A perfect combination: walking through fallen leaves during the day, then unwinding in the sauna or hot tub at sunset. Prices drop noticeably after mid-October.
Winter (December, February)
The most popular time for wellness homes. An outdoor jacuzzi or hot tub in the snow or cold has something magical about it. Christmas and New Year weekends fill up fast, book at least 3 months ahead. January and February are quieter and cheaper.
Spring (March, May)
Nature awakens and walks are at their most beautiful with flowering woodland floors and young leaves. Spring also brings school holiday peaks at Carnival and Easter. Outside school holidays, spring is ideal and affordable.
Summer (June, August)
An outdoor jacuzzi in full sun loses some of its appeal. Summer is more the season for swimming pools and terraces. That said, wellness in the Ardennes remains popular in summer: a cool sauna session followed by a dip in a stream is a treat on warm days.
Best choice: plan a wellness break in November or January. You pay less, you have the peace and the atmosphere is just right.
Combining wellness with hiking and outdoor activities
The Ardennes are ideal for combining activity during the day with relaxation in the evening. That rhythm, move, then recover, is not only pleasant but good for the body. Muscles that have worked hard respond better to the warmth of a sauna.
Walking along the Amblève
The Amblève valley offers routes of 8 to 20 kilometres through mixed forest and along the river. Start in Stavelot or Trois-Ponts and end the day in your own sauna.
Thermal walk in Spa
Walking paths along the historic springs of Spa, such as the Source du Tonnelet or the Fontaine de la Sauvenière. A unique combination of nature and wellness history you will not find anywhere else.
Cycling in the High Fens
The peat bog between Malmedy and Eupen is flat enough for a comfortable cycle but large enough for a full day. After 50 kilometres in the fresh air, a sauna is not a luxury but a necessity.
Kayaking on the Lesse or the Ourthe
A few hours paddling on one of the Ardennes rivers tires the arms and shoulders. A jacuzzi afterwards fully dissolves that tension. Hire centres in Dinant, Han-sur-Lesse and La Roche offer day trips.
Mountain biking in the Forêt d'Anlier
The forest of Anlier in the province of Luxembourg has signposted mountain bike routes of 15 to 40 kilometres. Combine this with a holiday home near Neufchâteau or Libramont.
Ask your host whether they hire out bicycles or have walking maps. Many Ardennes holiday homes provide this kind of extra for their guests.
Wellness in harmony with nature
Near Spa, thermal walks are also possible: forest paths alongside the historic springs. This combination of nature and wellness history makes a stay in the Spa region truly unique.
A 15-kilometre walk through the Hertogenwald or along the Amblève river, followed by an hour in the sauna and dinner by the fire: that rhythm feels good.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spa offer for a wellness holiday?
Spa has been known as a wellness destination for centuries and even gave its name to the word 'spa'. The Thermes de Spa offer extensive wellness facilities. Around Spa there are holiday homes with private jacuzzi and sauna in the forest. The town also has a casino, racecourse and many restaurants.
How much does a wellness weekend in the Ardennes cost?
A wellness home for two in the Ardennes averages €130 to €280 per night. Including dinner, activities and a treatment at a thermal spa you can budget €400 to €900 for a full weekend, less than a wellness hotel, with more privacy.
Are there holiday homes with both sauna and jacuzzi in the Ardennes?
Yes, there are homes in the Ardennes with both a private sauna and a jacuzzi or hot tub. This combination is popular with couples looking for total relaxation. Always check when booking whether the facilities are in the home itself or shared.
What is better for relaxation: a sauna or a jacuzzi?
Both have their merits. A sauna heats the body deeply, relaxes muscles and improves circulation. A jacuzzi combines heat with the massaging action of the jets. The ideal is a combination: warm up in the sauna, cool down, then relax in the jacuzzi.
When is it cheapest to book a wellness home in the Ardennes?
January and February are the cheapest months. Weekends outside school holidays in November and early March are also affordable. Avoid Christmas, New Year, Carnival and summer holidays if you want the best value.
