Long before the term ‘wellness’ became a lifestyle buzzword, we humans still sought physical, mental and spiritual refreshment in communal settings. Whether soaking in mineral-rich hot springs, gathering in steam-filled Roman bathhouses, or retreating to alpine sanatoriums, we have proven time and time again that the concept we now think of as wellness is deeply interwoven in human history.
In ancient Egypt, Greece and India, holistic health was closely tied to nature and spirituality
Meanwhile, the Greeks built elaborate public baths to reap the therapeutic effects of water and movement. The Romans took the idea further, elevating them to an art form. Their famous thermae were not just for bathing: they were centres for exercise, socialising, healing and reflection. Equipped with caldariums (hot baths), frigidariums (cold baths), and massage services, these ancient spas were direct precursors to present-day luxury wellness.
Throughout Europe and Asia, natural hot springs became pilgrimage sites. Some towns, like Baden-Baden in Germany and Bath in England, were built around and named after healing waters, attracting royalty, clergy and commoners alike in search of cures and comfort. Other famous spa towns include Vichy in France and of course Spa in Belgium! In other places, the healing properties of waters were ascribed to religious aspects – such as the waters of Lourdes in France, whose healing properties are associated with the reports of repeated appearances of the Virgin Mary to a local 14-year-old girl in 1858.
By the nineteenth century, the wellness movement took a more clinical turn. In response to the rise of tuberculosis and other chronic illnesses, sanatoriums offered patients fresh air, nutritious food and rest. Particularly famous examples were located in mountainous regions like the Swiss Alps; the acclaimed author Thomas Mann, who was born 150 years ago this June, famously set his novel Magic Mountain in such a sanatorium, offering vivid descriptions of their ‘rest cures’ and emphasis on fresh air. While these retreats were created for medical purposes, they were very much about physical and mental restoration in scenic settings. In that respect, they can be seen as unintentional precursors for our wellness resorts today.
In Denmark, Skodsborg is the most famous example of the trend. It opened as a sanatorium in 1898, introducing ideas of physiotherapy and the healing properties of light, air and water that were entirely new to Danes at the time. Today, Skodsborg still specialises in healthy living – now as a spa hotel and exercise destination.
A former sanatorium and present-day health spa, Kurhotel Skodsborg underwent a renovation in 2017, during which Unidrain drains were installed.
Sjöparken, a sanctuary of understated luxury immersed in the embrace of nature
Hotels with no water-based facilities offer alternatives such as rooftop yoga, in-room meditation guides, and circadian lighting
Today, wellness is no longer found only in spa resorts. Urban hotels with no water-based facilities offer alternatives such as rooftop yoga, in-room meditation guides, and circadian lighting. Retreats in remote locations offer digital detoxes and similar opportunities to reset and unwind. To modern hospitality providers, many of their travellers are not just booking a bed. They also look for pampering – and, taking things even further, for mental clarity and performance enhancement. The latter aspect may be partly why business hotels are responding to the trend, too, with trends such as sleep-focused amenities becoming standard. The hotel room is no longer a passive overnight space: it has become an active component of self-care routines. We explore several of these recent hotel trends and their knock-on effect on private bathrooms in this part of the June Inner Circle content.
Wellness is not just about beauty and luxury. Many of its aspects are rooted in science. Studies continue to suggest that wellness practices like hydrotherapy, massage and mindfulness reduce cortisol levels, improve sleep, are good for the immune system and boost our mood. Spending even a short time in environments designed for calm and care can be beneficial for our physical and mental well-being alike.
In a world full of noise and speed, wellness offers a soothing pause. And whether they take place at a mountaintop hot spring or a city hotel spa, modern wellness experiences nod to ancient practices, continuing a legacy of self-care.
