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Love a visit to the spa, but not so enamored of the German protocol that dictates a sauna can only be visited when butt-naked and in mixed-sex company?
There isn’t any way I know around the “textile free” policy, other than arming oneself with a gigantic fluffy towel with a sturdy velcro closure to facilitate quick drops and pick-ups. But there is a way to avoid an all-too-up-close-and-personal look at body parts of the opposite sex, if you’re a woman at least…
On a handful of occasions last year when winter was closing in, a friend and I paid visits to what’s perhaps the most traditional of all Wiesbaden’s spas, the Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme. It’s located right in the town center, tucked slightly back along a side street in a way that makes it barely noticeable unless you’re looking for it. Upon entering the handsome stone building, you’re steeped in a world of genteel elegance, all statuary and painted tiles amidst the steam. You’ve also stepped a century back in time. The stately edifice dates back to 1913 and is done up in Jugendstil, the German term to describe Art Nouveau.
Fans of those mega-operations with slides, outdoor pools and ten saunas to choose from might be disappointed in the relatively modest scale of this thermal bath. But with a pool, Russian steam bath, Finnish sauna and resting rooms of various temperatures, its offerings cover the most essential bases. For cooling off, there’s a nozzle that shoots icy water crystals onto your shoulders and around your knees. The café on-site offers drinks and snacks, or should you just want to drink some mineral water with healing properties, a fountain in the rest zone provides you with a free source of it.
The best time to visit? In my book, that’s a Tuesday, as on that day, only women are allowed to use the facilities. To all you gentlemen out there, I’m sorry to say that you don’t get your own day, although on all other days of the week, you’re welcome to enjoy this watery pleasure palace in mixed company.
Visit: The Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme is located at Langgasse 38-40, 65183 Wiesbaden, just across from the ALEX restaurant. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Admittance is restricted to those ages 16 or over. The spa has its own parking lot; be sure to get your parking ticket stamped at the counter to take advantage of discounted parking fees. A visit costs 6.50 euros per hour in the winter season (Sept. 1-April 30) and 5 euros per hour the remainder of the year. Bring your own towels or be prepared to rent them (3.10 euros for a small one, 4.10 euros for a large one).
