After several hours on an overnight flight, with no sleep thanks to a really great book she just couldn't put down, followed by an entire day of exploring the historic hot spots of Budapest, Girlawhirl's local Super Pal promised an entire day dedicated to relaxing and rejuvenating in the healing Hungarian natural hot springs. Having heard about the famous baths of Budapest, Girlawhirl jumped at the opportunity to finally experience one firsthand and to soak away her jet lag woes…
Budapest is loaded with baths. It's a “Budapesti” tradition to soak in the natural mineral springs, and has been for thousands of years. Even today, many locals stop in for a soak on the way to work every day. Girlawhirl's Super Pal decided to take her to her personal favorite; one that's regarded by many as the best in the city: the baths at the Hotel Gellért.
Located at the bottom of Gellért Hill on the Buda side of the Danube River, the bath, and hotel, feature stunning architecture. Girlawhirl felt she had stepped through time when she walked through the doors. The Art Nouveau style is carried throughout the entire structure with stained glass windows, mosaic tile and sculpted fountains pouring hot mineral water directly into the pools – not to mention a swimming pool room that looked better suited to be a ballroom, except for the pool and all.
Services had to be ordered upfront before they could even enter the lobby. They also had to show their receipts at different points in the baths to show they were in the right place – i.e. not in the private sauna room when she had only paid for a public soak. In addition to a day spent immersed in the natural minerals, Girlawhirl could also go for a number of treatments, including a massage – though her Pal warned her if she had modest tendencies it might be a bit of a shock. Traditionally a massage is given after a soak, completely in the nude with only a casual attitude towards privacy.
The Gellért Baths used to be separated into male and female baths, but baths were mixed gender when Girlawhirl visited because of a reconstruction project. The room Girlawhirl soaked in had two baths with the temperature tiled right into the walls. There's only a two degree Celsius difference, but it was definitely a difference she could feel. The thermal waters contain sodium, calcium, magnesium,
hydrocarbonates and sulphates, as well as fluoride, which add up to the waters' supposed healing qualities.
She had the option to jump into an icy bath before taking a break in the group sauna – she opted against the shock to her system. A bit more time in the baths and Girlawhirl was cooked… in the best possible way. Relaxed and at ease, the ladies decided to cap off the day spent learning exactly why Budapest is called “Spa City” with a causal café dinner and a great night's sleep.
So in love with her experience, Girlawhirl made her Pal promise to take her to Rudas Bath & Spa, actually built by the Turks in the 16th century, for another day of relaxation. She agreed but said they would have to do it the "Budapesti" way: in the morning on their way to their next adventure.