GREEN PEARLS: REIMAGINING ARCHITECTURE – SUSTAINABLE SPAS AS NEW PLACES OF POWER (Allemagne)
Hotel spa architecture is undergoing a radical transformation with its focus shifting from pure luxury to holistic well-being, ecological responsibility, and innovative design.Catégorie : Europe - Allemagne - Rénovation ou nouveauté dans un établissement Tendances, avis d'expert
Ceci est un communiqué de presse sélectionné par notre comité éditorial et publié gratuitement le 21-08-2025
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Modern relaxation rooms aim to awaken the senses, bring the body and mind into harmony, and conserve resources. Global trends such as biophilia, sustainable materials, and smart energy efficiency are shaping the design of new wellness areas.
The Desire for Relaxation is Reflected in New Wellness Architecture
The need for regeneration, exacerbated by the pandemic, has redefined the importance of spa architecture in recent years. According to Hotel Executive Magazine (July 2023), guests are seeking "green time" to counterbalance constant digital stress and "screen time."
Additionally, studies examining concepts such as Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, in Japan, show that experiences in nature reduce stress hormones, stabilize blood pressure, and promote mental balance. Architecturally, this longing for nature is reflected in open floor plans, large windows, roof terraces, and treatment rooms with direct access to the outdoors.
The modern spa experience is increasingly designed as a multisensory journey.
Natural materials, delicate wooden structures, and changing lighting create visual appeal. Sounds of water and birdsong, as well as sound baths with gongs and crystal singing bowls, foster deep relaxation and harmony. Aromas of cedar and pine essential oils connect you to nature, and regional herbal teas awaken your sense of taste. The textures of wood, stone, and water surfaces soothe your sense of touch. This finely tuned interplay leaves a lasting impression, deepening the experience far beyond the moment.
Sustainability as a Core Principle
The ecological footprint of hotels and spas is becoming increasingly important and is now on the radar of many guests. Responsible concepts integrate energy-efficient technology, sustainable building materials, and mindful water usage with renewable energy sources, locally sourced materials, and recycling.
Lively facades and roof gardens blend the hotel into the surrounding environment, reducing its impact on the planet and its guests. Studies show that using healthy building materials can reduce the long-term risk of chronic diseases among guests and employees. Therefore, sustainability is the basis of future-proof wellness architecture, which combines aesthetic quality, well-being, and ecological and social responsibility.
From Theory to Realized Vision
Several forward-thinking hotels are demonstrating how these new principles work in practice, not only implementing sustainable architecture but also taking it a step further. They show that today's spas are much more than places to relax. These spaces are designed to merge nature, design, and responsibility into a sensual, regenerative experience.
Océano Health Spa Hotel: The Power of the Atlantic Ocean
In Tenerife, for example, the ocean itself is a central design element. At the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel, seawater is piped directly to the hotel, forming the basis of its thalassotherapy treatments. The salty water and mild sea climate stimulate circulation and metabolism, alleviating ailments.
Therapeutic exercise in the warm thalassotherapy pool strengthens muscles and joints further. The wellness area's architecture picks up on this theme, bringing the Atlantic inside with floor-to-ceiling glass fronts and open terraces that offer unobstructed sea views. Light-filled relaxation areas and wind-protected sun terraces invite guests to linger. OCÉANO's philosophy is clear: The architecture should expand horizons and make the energy of the Atlantic tangible everywhere.
Hotel Bella Vista, Zermatt: Panorama Sauna instead of a Whirlpool
One of the greatest challenges facing the modern hotel industry is operating a spa area in an environmentally friendly manner. In recent years, the Hotel Bella Vista in Zermatt has consistently geared its wellness area towards sustainability.
The new Panorama Sauna, which replaced the energy-intensive whirlpool, is made from local wood and blends in perfectly with the alpine landscape. Large glass fronts offer guests unobstructed views of the Matterhorn, providing a unique place of power. The hotel focuses on gentle warmth, spacious relaxation areas—some of which are made of Swiss stone pine—and a soothing indoor climate that prioritizes relaxation.
Hotel Das Rübezahl, Allgäu: A Wellness Garden as a Refuge
Since spring 2023, the Hotel Das Rübezahl in the Allgäu region has offered its guests a new wellness garden, a green oasis promising peace and relaxation in the heart of nature. The 2,500-square-meter area blends natural design with contemporary holistic elements.
From the lounge terrace, which features a fire pit and a water installation, guests can enjoy views of Neuschwanstein Castle and the Allgäu Alps. Alpine herb beds, a natural pond, and various alcoves offer spaces for guests to unwind. The garden is filled with regional plants and seeds from alpine habitats, creating new environments for insects and small animals. Moreover, the natural pond functions as a water source for dragonflies and birds. The technical implementation and the rest of the wellness area also prioritize sustainability: natural ventilation, efficient thermal insulation, and water treatment systems conserve energy and resources.
The New Relaxation House at the Sturm Wellness Hotel: Architecture meets Nature
Since May 2025, the STURM in the Rhön region has offered guests an enhanced health experience. At the heart of this innovation is the recently constructed Relaxation House, which harmoniously blends architecture and nature. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls connect the interior with the exterior, and the use of wood and natural stone ensures a healthy, soothing indoor climate.
Following the principle of decentralization, the relaxation and wellness areas are spread across the grounds, providing each guest with a place to retreat and encouraging them to engage with the surrounding nature. Professor Matthias Loebermann is responsible for the architectural design once again. The award-winning architect has worked closely with STURM for many years. He received the prestigious “Best Architects Award 24” for an earlier extension to the hotel: the Gardens View Rooms.
A New Spa Experience at Klosterhof: Architecture that Breathes
After eight years, the multi-award-winning Artemacur Spa at the Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa underwent careful yet profound renovations. The design principle focused on creating spaces that allow guests to breathe, incorporating natural materials such as local wood and jute, soft earth tones, and large panoramic windows that bring light and the landscape into the interior.
The indoor area has been sensitively redesigned to include new retreats, revamped relaxation areas in the sauna, and exclusive pool cabanas with textile screens and lighting effects that provide more privacy. A highlight above the indoor pool is the "Rainbow Path" light installation by artist Wolfgang Gerner. This wave-shaped piece, made of jute, accompanies guests on a meditative journey through the colors of life. Through this transformation, the Klosterhof reinforces its philosophy of creating a health experience that transcends traditional wellness by inspiring the senses, respecting resources, and providing a holistic effect.
ADLER Lodge RITTEN: Forest Spa and Sauna
The forest sauna and adjoining terrace at the ADLER Lodge RITTEN were designed to preserve the existing trees. The architecture blends into the surrounding nature, with treetops providing shade and creating an interplay of light and tranquility. The building is made from regional materials, such as larch wood and natural stone, which provide warmth and minimize transport distances. Large windows open the space to the forest, enhancing the experience of "shinrin-yoku," or Japanese forest bathing: guests are visually and sensorially immersed in nature, which has been proven to reduce stress and promote inner balance.
Additionally, the spa experience is attuned to its surroundings acoustically and olfactorily: birdsong, nature sounds, the aroma of larch wood, and the pleasant feel of natural stone make the forest sauna a place that conveys lasting tranquility.
New Outdoor Spa Area at the Naturhotel Outside: Enjoy Nature with a View
Just in time for the start of the season on May 25, 2025, the Naturhotel Outside in Matrei, East Tyrol, opened its newly designed outdoor spa area. The expanded natural swimming pond, new wooden walkways, and spacious sunbathing areas provide more places to relax amidst the alpine landscape.
A biodiverse garden enhances the spa's connection to nature, providing a peaceful and sustainable experience.
The spa's interior has already undergone significant renovations during the winter: a pool with Deferegger healing water, a new outdoor pool with views of the Alps, and spacious relaxation areas made from ecological materials have now been added to the existing spa facilities. Large windows bring light and mountain views deep into the interior.
Outlook: Future Trends in Sustainable Spa Design
What was once considered a luxury now increasingly defines the identity of sustainable hotels: the wellness area reflects social values. Architecture that fosters breathing and relaxation spaces is a prime example of this shift. It creates areas that not only offer comfort but also contribute to ecological responsibility, physical regeneration, and mental health.
The future of spa architecture lies in further integrating environmental awareness and digital innovation.
Personalized wellness programs supported by digital health data and calming, technically discreet environments are becoming the standard. Meanwhile, energy and water efficiency are being optimized further, and materials and construction methods are being developed increasingly in harmony with regional ecosystems.
The places featured here—whether a forest sauna, saltwater pool, herb garden, or rainbow installation—not only invite you to relax, they also convey a certain attitude. An attitude that is not limited to certificates but can be experienced daily. And shows: sustainability isn't about sacrifice, but rather an increase in depth, meaning, and connection.
https://www.greenpearls.com/
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