Spa

Due to open October 23rd, 2020.
Housed in the hotel’s modern annex is the spa, a quiet sanctuary hiding on the Vrijthof. It includes a pool, sauna, hammam, and booth for meditation, confession, or prayer; a place to practice one’s own ways to spiritual wellness.

The inspiration

The spa builds on the city’s rich history and religious composition that contributed to how the city has taken shape. Situated among the city’s holy sites, this new structure on the Vrijthof observes the patchwork of hybrid architecture built over multiple eras and styles including Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic.

By appreciating heritage, the new structure gains inspiration through knowledge of the past and pays tribute to the tradition of continuous synthesis of forms and structures. The modern extension was thus built to reflect the practices of today’s traveller without competing with the history that is overwhelmingly present at the site.

The architecture of the space dictates the way visitors interact and interpret their state of well-being. Natural light enters through the skylight across two floors and brings forward both light and shadow, revealing the duality that is necessary for wellness in all its forms. By completing the thermal cycle, one begins with heat to dilate pores and eliminate toxins then induces a thermal shock under a cold waterfall to stimulate circulation and release adrenaline. Finally allow the body to restore its state of balance in the pool or relaxation room.