In September 2014, the first Wellness YH in Saas-Fee celebrated its grand opening. Roughly a month after season start, we stayed at the new wellnessHostel. Here is our report:
It is an interesting concept: affordable overnight stays featuring luxurious wellness set among Alpine fourthousander peaks. The Wellness Hostel, started by Swiss Youth Hostels and the town of Saas-Fe, is oriented toward vigorous guests interested in a soothing end to a day spent in the mountains.
The rooms are plain and functional but not uncomfortably furnished. All room categories come with generous storage space for sports equipment and the like. The double and quad rooms all come with private bathrooms. Guests staying in the rooms sleeping six have use of a shared bathroom located on their floor.
Meals
In Bistro4000, the hostel’s modern lounge, they serve lassis, doughnuts and Alpine tapas. In the evenings, a comfy fire crackles in the fireplace to create a homey atmosphere. This is where people meet for a before-dinner libation or a beer to launch into the après ski socializing.
The breakfast buffet is set up in the lounge area. We had to experience on our own person that they unfortunately only serve breakfast until 9:45 a.m. even on weekends (he who can’t read, starves). You can also sign up ahead of time for lunch and evening meals for a small additional charge, or have them pack you lunch for a day spent on the slopes.
Rather eat elsewhere? You’ll find plenty of possibilities in the village. We highly recommend the fondue menu in the Vieux Chalet Restaurant, just a few steps from the hostel.
Sauna, steam bath, and glacier balcony
But now let’s turn to the wellness YH‘s centerpiece: Aqua Allalin. That’s what they named the wellness area, which is open to all Saas-Fee guests as well as local folks. They really pulled out all the stops for this. Especially impressive is the view from the two (bio) saunas and the relaxation room.
After having a sauna, soaking in the hot tub, or visiting the steam bath you can take a foot bath to cool down again. If you’re really hard-core (like us, of course) there’s also a glacier balcony. Standing barefoot on pebbles, enjoying a view of the Dom, Switzerland’s highest mountain, we felt like newborns.
In addition to the wellness area, Aqua Allalin also sports a 25-Meter pool, a great water slide for young and old and a fitness room with state of the art equipment.
But even that’s not all they offer: You can sign up for individual fitness training to give it all up and then let yourself be revived with a massage (we skipped the first part and went straight to the hot stone massage.)
Images of Saas-Fee
Our thanks to Patricia Mariani of PrimCom and the Swiss Youth Hostels for the invitation to Saas-Fee!
You can check rates and availability here.
