![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEI_270721830-511d.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe Swiss wellness resort offers so much more than relaxation (Picture: Grand Resort Bad Ragaz)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tThe Swiss wellness resort offers so much more than relaxation (Picture: Grand Resort Bad Ragaz)<\/p>\n
The phrase \u2018there must be something in the water\u2019 could have been coined at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz<\/a>.<\/p>\n This palatial spa hotel<\/a>, hidden in the mountains of eastern Switzerland<\/a>, draws its USP from the Tamina Gorge, a legendary thermal spring<\/a> world famous for its healing properties.<\/p>\n The water\u2019s 36.5\u00b0C temperature (which, in a curious coincidence, is the same as that of the human body) and rich mineral composition are believed to stimulate metabolism and blood circulation, improve heart function and soothe joint conditions, among myriad other health benefits.<\/p>\n To put it simply, this is healing water, or so the stories go.<\/p>\n The spring was first discovered 779 years ago \u2014 the first guests were lowered a hair-raising 70 metres in baskets, blindfolded so they wouldn\u2019t be frightened \u2014 and today it claims to hold the secret to long life.<\/p>\n For four outrageously lavish days, I swam, drank and even applied face cream made with the fabled water, to see if Bad Ragaz really does hold the key to longevity<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up to The Getaway newsletter\t\t\t<\/p>\n Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t I checked into a Junior Suite Deluxe, a sleek sanctuary with parquet floors, a natural stone bathroom and, to my excitement, a pillow menu for those who are particular about where they lay their head.<\/p>\n I could have easily whiled away the hours on the small balcony, gazing at the dramatic alpine skyline, but apart from a morning coffee<\/a> in my robe and an evening soak in the bathtub, I spent little time in my room \u2014 there\u2019s so much to explore in the hotel.<\/p>\n \t\t Grand Resort Bad Ragaz is home to seven restaurants with a total of six Michelin stars, offering traditional Swiss dishes including spaetzli (egg dumplings) and veal, as well as more luxurious bites like waffle and caviar.<\/p>\n There are 12 swimming pools, a golf course, an extensive menu of spa and wellness<\/a> treatments (I can highly recommend the hot shell massage), and a number of stunning hiking trails that embroider the fairytale landscape of Heidiland.<\/p>\n The jewel of the resort is the Helenabad, a historic thermal pool surrounded by glossy marble pillars.<\/p>\n But despite its exclusive feel, Bad Ragaz doesn\u2019t reserve its treasures for hotel guests.<\/p>\n \t\t The adjoining Tamina Therme \u2014 Europe<\/a>\u2019s first indoor thermal spa, built in 1872 \u2014 is open to the public.<\/p>\n Unlike the luxury price point of Bad Ragaz\u2019s suites, entry to this sprawling complex is reasonable, starting at 27 CHF (roughly \u00a325).<\/p>\n Simon Spiller, general manager at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, tells me the spa is designed first and foremost for locals. <\/p>\n \u2018By keeping the Tamina Thermal Spa open and accessible to everyone, we give something meaningful back to the people who make this region so special.\u2019<\/p>\n The key to longevity?<\/p>\n The wellness industry has exploded since Covid ended, but Bad Ragaz\u2019s newly revamped Tamina Health Centre goes far beyond the usual spa getaway.<\/p>\n Dr Jens Wagner, a senior physician at the resort, assures me \u2018no one else in Europe matches our medical depth.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t A new longevity programme, which promises to reduce biological ageing<\/a>, sees guests undergo extensive diagnostic tests measuring everything from blood pressure to posture. This is followed by a menu of wellness treatments, fitness sessions and nutritional guidance that have been forensically tailored to each person.<\/p>\n It sounds impressive, but I remained sceptical.\u00a0<\/p>\n The biggest sticking point here is, as you may have guessed, the price. While double rooms at the Bag Ragaz start from \u00a3296 per night (which is quite reasonable, by Swiss standards), the longevity programme starts at \u00a35,550 \u2014 and that\u2019s without accommodation.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve no doubt that exercise and a healthy diet improve longevity \u2014 and a massage or two thrown into the mix certainly sweetens the deal. But do you really need to take out a loan to do it?<\/p>\n \t\t The thing is, there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all trick to longevity, and the secret to long life can\u2019t be found at Bad Ragaz (or anywhere else, for that matter).<\/p>\n But the resort\u2019s nutritionist, Sonja Ricke, gave me a lightbulb moment.<\/p>\n \u2018Longevity is not only connected to what you eat,\u2019 she said. \u2018It\u2019s connected to joy.\u2019<\/p>\n Was Sonja saying that really, when the chips are down, a long life is mostly about being\u2026 happy?<\/p>\n \t\t The rhythm of Bad Ragaz, with its slow mornings, quiet meals, and unhurried swims, reminded me that while it\u2019s lovely to lounge about in luxury for a few days, you don\u2019t need expensive spa treatments to feel refreshed.<\/p>\n I left the resort with an unmistakable glow, but my favourite moments were born out of finding joy in the little things: swimming beneath an open sky and enjoying the view of the mountains looming overhead.<\/p>\n If happiness is the key, then the secret to longevity lies in things we all have access to, like a walk in the countryside, a home-cooked meal or a swim in the sea.<\/p>\n But if anyone wants to send me back to Bad Ragaz for my birthday, I\u2019ll fall on my sword.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tGetting to Bad Ragaz\t\t\t<\/p>\n I flew to Zurich from London City Airport with SWISS<\/a>, who also operate flights to the city from Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow airports, as well as Heathrow and Gatwick.\u00a0<\/p>\n From there, it\u2019s roughly an hour and a half by train to Bad Ragaz, a journey that takes passengers along the glittering shores of Lake Zurich and Lake Walen. Information about train tickets can be found on the Travel Switzerland website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Alternatively, you can drive from Zurich Airport to Bad Ragaz in about an hour.<\/p>\n Ellie Hutchings was a guest of Grand Resort Bad Ragaz. Nightly rates start at \u00a3296 based on two people sharing. The Longevity Programme starts at \u00a35,550, excluding accommodation.<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/switzert-title-here-48bc.jpg\")
\n\t\tBad Ragaz and its famous spring are found in eastern Switzerland (Picture: Metro)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEC_270722208-f40b.jpg\")
\n\t\tSurely the secret to all good things can be found in a ridiculously lavish hotel in the Swiss mountains (Picture: Ellie Hutchings)
\nFive-star facilities<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8083-cbe3.jpg\")
\n\t\tBad Ragaz suites: quiet luxury (Picture: Ellie Hutchings)<\/p>\n![\"Tamina](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEI_270721839-dbfd.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe legendary thermal water at Helenabad (Picture: Grand Resort Bad Ragaz)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8153-ad2b.jpg\")
\n\t\tGrand Resort Bad Ragaz is home to over 100 medical experts (Picture: Ellie Hutchings)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8181-bd41.jpg\")
\n\t\tIn Switzerland, expect Swiss prices (Picture: Ellie Hutchings)<\/p>\n![\"Tamina](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEI_270721815-4a82-e1760790361795.jpg\")
\n\t\tBeing able to swim outdoors in autumn was a highlight (Picture: Ellie Hutchings)<\/p>\n
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