As temperatures drop and days get shorter, more and more people are heading to Austria's thermal and wellness hotels for a wellness weekend. For many, this short break in autumn is an opportunity to relax and unwind.
In Upper Austria, where there are numerous wellness hotels to choose from, the prices and ratings of the offers were examined particularly critically this year. The Upper Austrian Chamber of Labor (AK OÖ) carried out a comprehensive analysis of the price range for a typical wellness weekend in November and compared the results with the ratings from the "Relax Guide Austria 2025", an established guide that annually rates wellness hotels in Austria.
The survey by the AK Upper Austria showed significant price differences, which vary between 438 and 948 euros for a weekend booking for a standard double room with half board. These costs apply to a weekend for two people and include access to the wellness areas. It is striking that the most expensive hotel in this survey, the "Paradiso Eurothermenresort" in Bad Schallerbach, charges 948 euros for such a weekend, while an offer such as that of the "Wellnesshotel Aumühle" in Grein costs only 438 euros. Both hotels are rated differently in the "Relax Guide" - while the Paradiso Eurothermenresort achieved 15 points, the Aumühle is classified as "good average" with lower points, but is certainly attractive for price-conscious wellness vacationers.
The ratings in the "Relax Guide Austria" follow a comprehensive catalogue of criteria that takes into account factors such as location, architecture, ambience, service quality and cuisine. The highest ratings are only given to hotels that offer excellent services in all areas. The points system ranges from 9 to a maximum of 20 points, with average wellness hotels scoring around 11 to 12 points. Hotels that are located near a public thermal bath but do not have their own wellness area start at 12 points and can gain points through good cuisine or outstanding service. Only top hotels achieve the maximum number of points, a quality benchmark that makes the difference for many guests and offers them reliable guidance.
For many guests, the possibility of using the wellness area for longer on the day of arrival and departure is also an important criterion. Here, too, the Chamber of Labor's survey shows considerable differences: in eight of the hotels examined, this extension is possible at no additional cost. In most other hotels, a fee of between 10 and 50 euros per day and person is charged if the wellness areas are to be used beyond the regular check-in and check-out times. This flexibility, especially for day and short-term travelers, often makes an important difference and is appreciated by many guests.
Flexibility is also evident in the cancellation policies of the individual hotels: While some hotels offer free cancellation up to 90 days before arrival, the Thermenhotel Geinberg even offers the option of free cancellation up to two days before arrival. This customer-friendly policy is an important advantage that many vacationers appreciate in the often unsettled autumn weather.
A detailed price comparison shows that it is definitely worth carefully examining the offers in terms of service and value for money. The analysis by the AK Upper Austria supports potential guests in their decision. The rating by the "Relax Guide" provides additional guidance, as it is based on objective and repeated tests and provides detailed insights into the service quality of the individual hotels. Such studies are a valuable decision-making aid, especially in the current year, when rising living costs are affecting household spending.
The Upper Austrian wellness hotels offer a wide range of services, which means both price flexibility and quality options for guests. The combination of relaxation options, high-quality gastronomy and diverse wellness offers in a comfortable environment makes the hotels attractive to a wide audience. Guests can choose between luxury and basic offers based on the reviews and price differences and thus find a wellness weekend that meets both their budget and their requirements.
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