GOTHENBURG Sweden is the homeland of classical massage, or Swedish massage as it is called in English. The country also have several lush spa hotels.
This week I visited Arken Hotel & Art Garden Spa outside of Gothenburg. This hotel is like an oasis in the sounding industrial area. Driving to the hotel you pass the shipping harbour and several cargo train rails, but at the end of the busy area you find the spa hotel on a hill top. The view from the hotel over the sea is peaceful and beautiful.
The spa area is one of the most beautiful spas I have ever seen.
Arken Hotel & Art Garden Spa is a beautiful spa hotel just outside of Gothenburg.
They have beautiful gardens outside.
And inside.
The spa area is fantastic.
Their spa experience starts with a traditional Japanese washing ceremony. Sitting on small benches, you are supposed to scrub yourself quietly as a form of meditation. We were at first slightly skeptical to this method…
But found it to be one of the most pleasant experiences in the whole spa. There is something very nice about the simplicity of poring water and scrubbing yourself like this. Recommended!
The spa area is lush.
They have all different types of saunas, like this Turkish one.
And this steam room with citrus scents.
And this sauna with a sea view and cold water to cool down you feet.
Between the different saunas you can try the ice sauna, and cool down with an icy scrub.
Or try the ice bath..
Or this old fashioned ice bucket. Really cool!
After that you can relax in the hammocks in the sun outside.
Or in the beds inside.
Or by the jacuzzi..
Or in heated tubs filled with water mattresses and hot stone.
You can finnish with a foot bath.
And then have a nice dinner in the restaurant.
Top that with a morning yoga next day.
Or some light therapy…
In the totally white room. Then you will have a perfect energizing spa experience.
And do some shopping and dining in Gothenburg the last afternoon. It is a perfect autumn getaway.
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