{"id":701883,"date":"2026-01-17T10:19:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T10:19:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/701883\/"},"modified":"2026-01-17T10:19:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T10:19:21","slug":"is-this-europes-cheapest-spa-break-five-star-hotel-costs-just-43-with-treatments-from-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/701883\/","title":{"rendered":"Is this Europe’s cheapest spa break? Five-star hotel costs just \u00a343, with treatments from \u00a311"},"content":{"rendered":"

As I luxuriate in a steaming hot bath full of mineral water enriched with CO2 gas in spa suite named after Edward VII, I feel much like a royal myself.<\/p>\n

This decadent room is one of many flanking the majestic hallways of the Ensana Nove Lazne hotel in elegant Marianske Lazne, a historical spa town to the west of Prague, in the Czech Republic.<\/p>\n

Edward VII first visited this spot in 1897 and became a regular guest until at least 1909.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He would spend three to four weeks in the summer taking the supposedly healing spring waters and indulging, as I did, in spa treatments designed to improve ailments and general health.<\/p>\n

Today, the same therapeutic water that has defined Marianske Lazne’s spa tradition for centuries is still drawing visitors from central Europe and further afield – but it’s barely on the radar for many Britons.<\/p>\n

That’s a great shame – not least because, despite the fact that it’s one of Unesco<\/a>‘s 11 ‘Great Spa Towns of Europe’, it remains remarkably affordable.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you’re after a low cost but indulgent spa escape, Marianske Lazne feels like one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.<\/p>\n

It’s even possible – and advisable – to combine a visit to Prague, with its cobbles, spires and low prices.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Writer <\/p>\n

Writer Saskia\u00a0O’Donoghue swapped the UK’s pricey spas for a stay in what she describes as one of ‘Europe’s best-kept secrets’ because of its value-for-money and deluxe offerings<\/p>\n

\"Saskia <\/p>\n

Saskia stayed at\u00a0the Ensana Nove Lazne hotel in the elegant spa town of Marianske Lazne in the Czech Republic<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The hotel was frequently used by King Edward VII between 1897 and 1909 and is now a UNESCO site\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ryanair flights from\u00a0London<\/a> to Prague cost from as little as \u00a333 return (or from \u00a316.99 one way) and a train from the city centre to Marianske Lazne is a mere \u00a311 one way.<\/p>\n

My hotel, five-star Ensana Nove Lazne, is right in the centre of the town – and staggeringly inexpensive.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rooms can be secured at this luxurious neo-Renaissance residence for \u00a343 per person, per night in January, with a buffet breakfast and sparkling wine included.<\/p>\n

Marianske Lazne, with its grand, colourful buildings, manicured parks and imposing colonnades is surely one of Europe’s loveliest spa destinations.<\/p>\n

‘We’re more spa-focused here, rather than wellness,’ Dr Marketa Hovorkova, chief physician at Ensana Health Spa Hotels, tells me.<\/p>\n

In the Czech Republic, a spa is typically a place for medical recuperation, not merely a weekend of cucumber water and scented candles.<\/p>\n

For generations, Czechs have been prescribed multi-week stays in places such as Marianske Lazne, sent to restore all manner of ills under the supervision of medical experts. But that doesn’t exclude those of us arriving for a bit of R&R.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You’re getting the creme de la creme of spa breaks, overseen by people who really understand the benefits.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The five-star Ensana Nove Lazne is located in the centre of the town and is ‘staggeringly inexpensive’<\/p>\n

\"Rooms <\/p>\n

Rooms can be secured for as little as \u00a343 per person, per night in January, with a buffet breakfast and sparkling wine included<\/p>\n

At the Ensana Nove Lazne hotel, you’re spoiled for choice. Even if you opt not to try one of the vast variety of treatments on offer – which start from about \u00a311 – the hotel boasts ornate Roman baths, whirlpools and saunas.<\/p>\n

If you’re after real affordable luxury, a visit to the five-star Falkensteiner Spa Resort is a must.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This recently renovated, ultra-sumptuous hotel offers day passes for just \u00a332 – a fraction of what you’d pay at an Alpine spa.<\/p>\n

Falkensteiner is a modern hub, with indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna complex and relaxation zones where time seems to slow. Even if you’re not the biggest spa fan, a visit to Marianske Lazne is still well worth it.<\/p>\n

In fact, it was recognised in 2023 as a ‘climatic spa’. It’s the only place in the world home to all four natural healing resources – mineral water, healing peat mud, CO2 gas and climate.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nordic walking is a common prescription by doctors here, but even gentle strolls feel restorative and more adventurous hikers will find no shortage of routes.<\/p>\n

After a ramble, visitors must sample the famous, mineral-packed waters at the Maxim Gorky Colonnade, Marianske Lazne’s most iconic landmark.<\/p>\n

Locals and visitors sip warm mineral waters from porcelain spa cups – many made in the Czech Republic, which has a long tradition of porcelain-making – each with a built-in spout.<\/p>\n

\"Meanwhile, <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Ryanair flights from London to Prague cost from as little as \u00a333 return (or from \u00a316.99 one way) and a train from the city centre to Marianske Lazne is a mere \u00a311 one way<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The ornately-decorated spa offers a variety of treatments which start from just \u00a311<\/p>\n

Although a rumour I heard about the mineral content turning a drinker’s teeth black proved untrue, it really can stain them, so sipping through the spout helps preserve your pearly whites.<\/p>\n

The waters vary in taste and effects, and there are some 40 individual springs – all with different properties, in the town alone, with more in the wider region.<\/p>\n

Dr Hovorkova suggested I sample the Karolina Spring, known for its high levels of magnesium, and I certainly felt a pep in my step after a few cups.<\/p>\n

The town’s confidence in its waters borders on reverence, and it’s available in many hotels in public areas for guests to drink from freely.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That includes at the fourstar Orea Spa Hotel Cristal, which will set you back from just \u00a323 per person, per night, including breakfast and spa access.<\/p>\n

There’s certainly more to Marianske Lazne’s cuisine than just mineral water, though. Traditional dill soup was a particular favourite on a chilly autumn day.<\/p>\n

Many Czech spa towns have their own liqueurs and Marianske Lazne is no different.<\/p>\n

\"Inside, <\/p>\n

Inside, the spa boasts decadent Roman baths, whirlpools and saunas and is beautifully decorated with tiles<\/p>\n

Maria Liqueur is made, variously, from orris root, which can promote healthy breathing, cranberry juice, known to help kidney health and dandelion root, a natural prebiotic and antioxidant. It’s best enjoyed at the Edward Cafe by Maxim Gorky Colonnade.<\/p>\n

While you likely won’t have heard of Marianske Lazne, it’s nothing short of a revelation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you’re craving a winter spa escape that doesn’t drain your bank account, this enchanting Czech destination should be top of your list.<\/p>\n

TRAVEL FACTS\u00a0<\/p>\n

Saskia O’Donoghue was a guest of Ensana Nove Lazne hotel. For further details, see visitczechia.com and visitvaryregion.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As I luxuriate in a steaming hot bath full of mineral water enriched with CO2 gas in spa…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":701884,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5174],"tags":[92,2000,299,5187,183,13560],"class_list":["post-701883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-eu","tag-dailymail","tag-eu","tag-europe","tag-european","tag-travel","tag-unesco"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115909936408110876","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/701883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=701883"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/701883\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/701884"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=701883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=701883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=701883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}