7132 Therme

We celebrated our wedding anniversary at this hotel, and our stay was absolutely wonderful. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by Martina, who went above and beyond to ensure our experience was perfect. Her kindness and professionalism truly made a difference. The hotel itself is stunning—luxurious with incredible attention to detail in its architecture and design. A true highlight of our stay was the thermal baths, which provided a unique and relaxing experience, making this hotel stand out even more. We truly enjoyed every moment and highly recommend this hotel for anyone looking for a memorable and high-quality stay.

An architectural masterpiece. Worth a visit for sure

A masterpiece of architecture, but overprized. They only serve water and apples, no tea, nuts or stuff like that for 85 CHF. The spa area is basically inexisting. Outside watertemperature very decent, but facilities are bit outdated.

Magnificent place for architects. You will not be able to take your eyes off the details while relaxing in the pools at different temperatures.

2 stars for all the Thermes which are very nice. -3 stars for the customer sensibility. We had a reservation and done pre-payment as required, however we were surprised by a big snow fall on the way and we didn't feel safe to continue the journey until the destination. When we contact them the reply was (paraphrasing) "We can only cancel 24h before, and it's winter you should be prepared. You could get a bus". I'm a bit shocked by this response, we didn't even ask for a refund but a re-schedule so we wouldn't lose all the money. After being there several times and taken several visitors with us, I'm very negatively surprised by the response and lack empathy. Lost a long time customer and someone that used to praise this place to everyone. I'm just disappointed.

I simply love this place. I visit the spa at least once a year since many years. I found it while scrolling through architectural highlights and was so impressed by Peter Zumthors work. I enjoy the design as well as the grey stone , quarzit, and especially the silence at this place. highly recommended if you are a reflected, elaborated person.

To me the Therme Vals 25 years after it‘s construction still holds its promise. We enjoyed an almost empty spa on a regular workday in spring which really added to the relaxing atmosphere. Personally I am a fan of the heavy stone architecture and didn’t feel like it has a tomb like character. However, the price of 80CHF is considerably too high for what is offered. Lower your prices!

We visited the Therme Vals on August 8th and were looking forward to this trip to Switzerland since 15 years, after learning about the amazing architecture of Peter Zumthor's remarkable building in university. When arriving, we were confused and disappointed of the entrance. Walking amidst 70s-style apartment high rises, appearing deserted, with the Therme nowhere to be seen, we entered the spa through the basement and were welcomed by a large dustbin and an uninviting entrance. Walking down a corridor that was probably not designed by Zumthor and didn't match his vision, we were greeted by a friendly woman that took our 60 Franc payment and gave us electronic wristlets for entering the bathing area. Finally entering Zumthor's spa, we walked through the entrance gate that was, to our surprise, broken. It is fair to say that we were already slightly taken aback at this point. Nevertheless, the first corridor leading towards the changing rooms was a sight to behold. The changing rooms were marvelously designed as well, even though they have certainly aged since the opening in 1996. Entering the spa we were greeted by plastic signboards not worthy of the design of the building, telling us to leave our phones in the locker rooms. Throughout the building, you would discover these kind of small digressions from Zumthor's vision here and there. The building itself is truly marvelous and a celebration of water, with many details and rooms that are worth to be discovered. I do not want to spoil this amazing experience here - you have to visit it yourself to experience it. However, unfortunately our visit was totally ruined by the poor behavior of the visitors, which in the end must be accounted for as poor management of the Spa. During our stay, we were confronted with: • A large group of young men (20-30), smoking marijuana and cigarettes in the outside area. Even following our complaints, this did not change. • Water pistols being used to annoy other guests, by said group. • Our towels being taken by strangers, three times. • A noise level due to the guests shouting, that was almost unbearable. This is explained by the plain stone walls used in Zumthor's design that rely on a quiet crowd. • An iPhone, of which the alarm was going off for 10 minutes straight, reverberating annoyingly in the main hall. In summary, our visit to which we were looking out for since more than a decade, was utterly ruined. The building could not be appreciated either, as it is hidden behind hideous high rises. Our only solace was the apologies of the lady at the front desk when leaving, who was visibly embarrassed by our complaints. Zumthor's original vision was to build a serene Spa with a quiet, meditative experience, leaving room for introspection. Leaflets were even supposed to be handed out at the entrance, guiding the visitors in their behaviour (see Bauwelt 1997, Heft 14, "Fließendes Wasser, Geschichteter Stein"). Nothing of this was left 26 years later, unfortunately. In summary, the visit to this spa left us disappointed. While the building is a marvel of modern architecture, the enjoyment of your visit can easily be spoiled by the crowd in the spa that is virtually unmanaged. Try to visit off season, when as few people as possible are there. Two stars instead of one only because of the amazing architecture.

Review #2500. "I work a little bit like a sculptor. When I start, my first idea for a building is with the material. I believe architecture is about that. It's not about paper, it's not about forms. It's about space and material" said the Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. In the case of Therme Vals his material was 60,000 slabs of local quartzite and his space a mountainside in the Swiss Alps. Built atop thermal springs, this incredible homage to water is one of the most breathtaking places I've seen up close. When architects are particularly obnoxious they speak of building the space, not the walls. It's no wonder they're drawn here -- now they can pontificate on another dimension: the water. How it feels. How it sounds. Even how it tastes. All kidding aside, I think the architects are onto something here. In the same way that light animates a space, water at Therme Vals is similarly abstracted. Its echo as it rushes through the quarzite walls; the way in which as you are in the water you are also in the mountains from which the water comes. The ride through the Alps from Zurich alone is worth the trip to Therme Vals, and when you arrive you will notice the place has a somewhat sacred feeling to it. As the Pritzker prize (architecture's Nobel) winner aptly put it, "Our spa is no fun fair." You will not find a menu of detoxifying lunch options, herbal tea or magical panpipe music here. In place of such frivolities you will be given the chance to luxuriate in a pure and unadulterated bathing experience. Whilst doing so you may gaze out upon cleverly framed views of the expansive Alps (a reminder of where it all comes from) or fall asleep in the sunshine on the stone outside. It is meditative even for those least able to quiet their minds. You can hop from the fire pool to the ice pool, swim in the outdoor pool and then relax in the flower pool (my favourite) before doing it all over again. Should you want a beverage in the baths you can drink from a brass cup attached to a chain beneath a rush of water; its ferrous taste as unique as the place itself. I spent but a few hours at Therme Vals though I often fantasise about returning to stay at the hotel (in one of the Zumthor-designed rooms) and partaking of the baths at night (only hotel guests are permitted in from 19:00-20:00) and in between hikes in the Alps for several days at a stretch.

Bathing in thermal waters inside a national monument, the uncontested masterpiece of the famous architect Peter Zumthor, makes always a certain effect, especially if the environment is so far from your everyday surroundings. When you enter the narrow corridor, like a tunnel which leads to changing rooms, you seem to go in a mine through bowels of the earth. The spaces are very elegant and linear, walls are flatware of squares of quartzite, the local rock, which colour is pearled grey with clearer and darker nuances. It is soft and warm and if the sunlight touches it, it glitters particularly when the rays reach the water of the outdoor swimming pool. In the indoor spaces there is half-light everywhere: in the elegant cloakrooms, in the cabins of the massages, in the relax rooms, in the indoor swimming pools. Except sun beds in mahogany tree and doors of blue glass there are no decorative elements, such as e.g. vases of flowers or quite simply some colour spots. The impression which you receive is of a total immersion in another (if I dare to say, almost supernatural) dimension made of silence and relaxation.

I LOVE THIS PLACE SO MUCH! This is the best thermal bath I have ever had in my life. I really want to come back here someday. This place is very clean and they have wide variety type of baths with different temperature ranging from steam bath (Turkish Bath) to sauna. The most important highlight that I like the most is the breathtaking views of Vals. It is very relaxing. Overall, I really enjoy this place with my group. Highly Recommended!!! No Regrets at All!