MINERAL SPA
Radon gas is a natural by-product of mineral rock formation and has been proven to ease joint pain as well as boost the immune system
CAVE STORY T en, of course, there’s the connection with the Gastein Healing Caves which are located about a 20-minute drive away. As the offi cial fi ve-star partner to the caves, Grand Park Hotel is recommended to its patients and visitors who usually take part in the cave’s standard 10-session radon therapy pro- gramme once to twice a year. T e sessions last for 90 minutes but include the train journey – the further you go into the moun- tain, the hotter and more humid the caves become – and a 30 minute rest aſt erwards. Sometimes the cost of the cave sessions are covered by health insurance companies in Austria and Germany which recognise the effi cacy of the treatment. In addition, the hotel itself off ers a selec-
tion of packages that combine a medical consultation with Dr Weber, spa treatments, nutritional advice and drinking and bathing in thermal and/or radon water and inhaling its steam both at the caves and onsite. Most people on the packages suff er from chronic pain or fatigue and have up to four healing cave sessions a week. “We’re lucky to have the radon connec- tion and the caves are unique,” says Wachter.
“Other radon caves exist, but none have the same mix of heat, humidity and silence and at an elevated 1,000m above sea level. People come here from all over the world. “T ere are many hotels in Austria where guests go for disease treatment, but we’re
Grand Park Hotel Bad Hofgastein prices
■ T e entry price for double bed- room with breakfast only between April to December is €94 (us$123,
£76) per person ■ A signature, 60-minute Grand
Spa massage is €98 (us$128, £80) ■ T e seven-night TCM Retreat starts at €1,330 (us$1,750, £1,100)
per person in a double bedroom ■ T e Classic Detox programme begins at €1,463 (us$1,900, £1,150) per person in a double bedroom for seven nights and goes up to €3,929
(us$5,150, £3,200) for 21 nights ■ Seven-night programmes com- bining thermal water, radon therapy and cave healing sessions start at €1,477 (us$1,950, £1,200) per person in a double bedroom
diff erent because we have a luxury setting rather than a hospital environment. Most couples come here on holiday and while one of them might go to the cave for treatment, the other will go the spa.”
LOYAL CUSTOMERS With a 50 per cent repeat custom rate, Grand Park Hotel enjoys a loyal customer base.
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“T ere are guests who have been here 70 times,” say Wachter. “And we usually off er a special discount of 5-10 per cent for those who come frequently to encourage this. T e average length of stay is 4.6 nights because on the one hand we have guests who stay for a short wellness holiday, but others stay for a long time because a [radon] cure needs two to three weeks.” She feels that one of the reasons why so
many people come back is that the hotel really responds to customer needs. “We always listen to what our guests tell us. We also try to pinpoint trends and create new products for the future.” Currently the team is developing a stress-
management programme to target corporate executives, while a programme introduc- ing fi tness training suitable for older adults with joint and muscle problems is underway. T erapists are being taught to add sensory stimuli to treatments. Of the latter Wachter says: “It all depends on the smell, temper- ature, the right timing and music – there’s actually music with special eff ects that has been scientifi cally-proven to ease pain and we’re hoping to introduce this.” She concludes: “Overall, what drives me
is being part of our team with a vision to reach a common goal – we really want to be the only fi ve-star hotel worldwide with this special mix of spa, wellness, healthy cuisine, radon therapy and experts in bet- ter ageing.” ●
SPA BUSINESS 4 2012 ©Cybertrek 2012
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