European Spa Experience – Spa Irma, Piestany

My first European spa experience is something I will never forget. Read along to learn how I found Spa Irma in Piestany, Slovakia.

While visiting my friend in Czechia, I desperately wanted to check off another country on my first adventure to Europe. I was staying for two weeks, but she had to work for just three days after my first weekend there. Needing a little rest and relaxation, my friend suggested a quick European spa trip to nearby Slovakia. We pulled out the map, and with a little internet searching, discovered the well-known spa town of Piestany. I had no idea where I was going or what to expect, but I was ready for an adventure.

Traveling to Slovakia by Train

The train traveled from Brno, Czech Republic through to Bratislava, Slovakia, where I had to switch trains. Then it continued north along the border between the countries to reach Piestany.

My First Train Trip in Europe

This was my first solo train trip and I was scared of missing the connection in the capital of Bratislava. I didn’t have much experience of train travel since we don’t use the train as much in the United States. My friend warned me that if I didn’t get off in Bratislava I would end up in Budapest, Hungary!

Although I was nervous, all turned out just fine by listening carefully, taking the time to read the schedule board, and following the signs to the right track.

Traveling in the Special Handicap Car

I consider myself to have limited mobility due to arthritis in my right ankle which can make walking more difficult. As a precaution, I was traveling with my cane. My friend had warned me that there really wasn’t specialized service or assistance when traveling by train in Europe.

Fortunately for me, I am happy to say she was incorrect about the lack of help. A conductor in Brno grabbed my suitcase and helped me aboard. Then he escorted me to a car reserved for handicapped people. This car was completely empty and I enjoyed the quiet ride up until I changed trains.

Once I changed in Bratislava, there were several university students traveling the same route. They lifted my suitcase into the train for me and assisted me with stepping up from the platform to the train. I found help and guidance all along my train journey.

From Train Station to the Hotel

Moving from the Czech Republic to Slovakia, the currency changed from korunas to euros. This became obvious when I had to use the bathroom and the woman wouldn’t let me in without first paying for the privilege. I called upon my bladder to stay strong or I would need to relieve myself behind the building.

My mistake was not having any euros on me was twofold. Not only did I not have the money to pay for the toilet, but I couldn’t pay the taxi to get to my accommodations chosen on Booking.com. I asked at the counter for any help, but the woman did not understand English well enough to help me.

Saved By Some Students

Luckily, a few university students heard my story and offered me a handful of euro coins to pay the taxi. Their generosity touched me but I didn’t take their money. Instead, one of the students called the Penzione and arranged for them to order me a taxi and pay for it upon my arrival there. She explained everything to the receptionist and they said not to worry. I could repay them later.

Afterwards, I could get to an ATM and exchange some money to repay them for the taxi ride. Although I initially felt nervous about my circumstances based on the currency issue, the kindness of young strangers in a foreign country filled my heart with joy. I was going to enjoy this European spa visit.

Penzione Tematin

The penzione I chose from a picture on Booking.com ended up actually being as beautiful as shown online. And the people there were even better.

My room was on the second floor with a comfortable bed and private bathroom. A small table held a kettle and an assortment of local teas. The small balcony offered the opportunity to watch the sunset over the neighboring houses.

The restaurant on the first floor served both international and local foods, all prepared superbly with excellent, friendly service. My favorite treats were the cappuccinos sipped in the lounge area or outside at a table under the pergola covered in flowering vines. The Penzione Tematin offered on-site European spa services, but my stay was brief and I focused on using the spa services at Spa Irma.

The European Spa Irma on Spa Island

When it came time for me to visit the historic spa on Spa Island, the hotel reception desk called a taxi and arranged the ride to drop me right in front of the door.

Spa Irma and the Hotel Thermia are located in an Art Deco building of tan stone with walking paths surrounded by a lush green lawn and colorful shrubs and flowers. Relaxed spa-goers in white robes and slippers strolled casually along the paths or sat by the water fountain awaiting their next spa treatment. I felt privileged to be amongst these elite European spa goers.

I was taking a chance because I did not have a scheduled appointment. My arrival to Spa Irma was on a Monday and I was hoping it wouldn’t be too busy.

The receptionist checked the schedule and found the mirror pool, Piestany mud pool, and a back massage with just an hour wait. To pass the time, I walked through the connecting corridor to a cafe area. I enjoyed a cappuccino and sat comfortably in their cafe to while away the time.

Cappuccino and Conversation

The staff displayed such respect for all customers and one server struck up a conversation once he discovered I was an American. The server thanked me for my patronage and welcomed me to come back again soon. Although I felt out of place in this world of luxurious spa and hotels, they treated me as a valued guest. I could get used to this. It felt good to be valued for my presence, and perhaps my tourist dollars.

Treatment Time

At my scheduled time I was escorted to a women’s dressing room and told to strip completely and then place my belongings into a locker. A female attendant gave me a large white sheet to wrap myself in. Getting used to nudity amongst women was a bit strange to me, but when in Europe, do as they do. Only women were allowed on this side of the treatment rooms. I followed her down the hall to the mirror pool wrapped securely in my white sheet.

The Mirror Pool

This was a golden Art Deco decorated room with a large, yet shallow pool. The water was approximately 3 feet deep. And it was completely empty. I was able to confidently drop my sheet and step naked into the heated water. A sigh of pleasured relief escaped my lips as the heat seeped into my body. The pool was separated by a textured and frosted glass wall and I could hear men on the other side.

The water contained minerals from the local area, but no mud yet. The maximum time was 10 minutes and a timer prominently displayed on the wall counted down my minutes much too quickly. I stepped out of the mirror pool quite warmed through and relaxed from my solitary splash time. My ankle started to feel better already.

Once my ten minutes was up, the attendant came to fetch me. I was wrapped in my sheet and ready for the mud.

The Mud Pool

The mud bath is the European spa treatment Piestany is famous for. I wanted to learn first-hand if this was true. With a previously injured ankle, I was curious to discover if the special mud lived up to all of the healing claims mentioned.

The attendant explained the maximum time was ten minutes and that many people didn’t even last that long. I was sure I’d go the whole ten minutes without a problem. As before, I was the solitary occupant once the attendant left me.

Stepping into the oozing mud for the first time felt like stepping into the mud at the bottom of a swampy pond. This sensation repulsed me at first and it took a few moments to get used to it.

Once I could tolerate the gooey feeling of warm mud squishing between my toes, I started rubbing the healing mud all over my body. The pool is approximately 3 feet deep. I squatted and performed a strange crab-like crawl to move through the heated mud.

The woman was absolutely correct about tolerating the detoxifying benefits of the mud. I felt completely drained and exhausted, both physically and mentally, by the seven minute mark. With the last of my energy, I dragged myself up the steps.

I used the shower built into the wall to rinse off the mud. After the mud bath, she escorted my sheet-wrapped pink body to the scheduled back massage. At this point my ankle felt wonderful and I was convinced of the magical healing properties of this Piestany mud. I wished there was a way for me to take a tub of it back home with me.

My Back Massage

During the treatment, my massage therapist answered my curious question about the origins of most of their customers. Many of their European spa visitors were wealthy Russians, Germans, and some local people from both Slovakia and Czechia. Their newest influx of customers were from the Middle East.

Practicing her English was helpful to her and enjoyable for me. She informed me that Americans were not frequent visitors and enjoyed chatting in English with me. I didn’t find that hard to believe since I had never even heard of this place. Since I had also trained in the past as a massage therapist, we had common ground to talk about massage treatments.

Her therapeutic work on my neck, shoulders, and back created a feeling of complete rejuvenation that carried me through the rest of my brief Slovakian adventure. It felt so good, I came back the next day for a few beauty treatments.

Spa Irma is located at 921 29 Piešťany-Kúpeľný ostrov, Slovakia. It is well worth a visit if you are in the area. With the Hotel Thermia attached to the spa, you can also stay for an extended visit. You will not be disappointed with the treatment, the staff, or the ambiance.

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