After weeks of non-stop stress and barely any quality time together, we finally decided to treat ourselves to something special. “Let’s do a spa day,” Nicole suggested one morning, and honestly, it was exactly what we needed. We chose the Hürlimann Bad & Spa in Zurich, which we’d heard amazing things about but never visited. Spoiler alert: it lived up to the hype!
Finding Our Way to Relaxation
We booked our spa experience for 6 PM on a Friday, figuring it would be the perfect way to wash away the work week. We arrived around 5:30, and I’ll admit, finding the actual entrance was a bit confusing. The spa is located in what looks like an industrial area, and we wandered around briefly before spotting the entrance.
Once inside, we were greeted by friendly staff who explained the rules, what our tickets included, and what to expect. One important rule: no phones allowed in the spa area. While initially I felt that little twinge of separation anxiety we all get these days, it turned out to be one of the best parts of the experience. No distractions, no checking emails, no scrolling – just pure, uninterrupted relaxation. (This is also why you won’t see any personal photos of the spa in this post!)
Even the entrance hallway was impressive – beautifully designed and immediately setting the mood for relaxation.
We’d specifically booked the Roman-Irish Spa Ritual, which turned out to be one of the coolest spa experiences I’ve ever had. Set within the historic vaults of a former brewery (how cool is that?), this ritual guides you through 10 different stations over about two hours. It’s a self-guided journey that combines ancient Roman and Irish bathing traditions for a complete mind and body reset.
The Historic Setting: Not Your Average Spa
Before I dive into our station-by-station experience, I have to talk about the setting because it absolutely blew us away. The Hürlimann Spa Zurich is housed in the century-old stone vaults of the former Hürlimann brewery – a significant industrial monument in the city. The contrast of modern spa facilities within these historic walls creates an atmosphere you simply can’t find anywhere else in Switzerland.
What makes it even more special is how they’ve preserved and highlighted the building’s brewing history. There are subtle nods to its past throughout the design, with playful elements that remind you you’re relaxing where beer was once brewed. It’s this thoughtful integration of history that makes the Hürlimann Spa Zurich experience so unique.
But the crown jewel? The rooftop infinity pool with panoramic views over Zurich. (More on that later – it was the perfect finale to our spa journey!)
Our Roman-Irish Ritual Journey: Station by Station
After stashing our belongings (including our phones) and changing, we were ready to begin our ritual. The beauty of this experience is that while there are recommended times for each station, you can move at your own pace and listen to your body.
Station I: Floral Steam (40°C)
Our journey began in a floral steam room designed to acclimate our bodies to the humidity and open our pores. The aromatic scents were incredibly refreshing, even at 40 degrees. We stayed for about 10 minutes, which was perfect. Nicole isn’t a huge fan of extremely hot saunas, so we made sure to move on before she started feeling dizzy.
Station II: Cleansing and Exfoliating (Peeling)
This station was a first for me – I’d never done a proper full-body peeling before. We moistened our bodies in the shower, then applied the peeling product using circular motions with light pressure. After letting it sit for a few minutes to work its magic, we rinsed off under a rainfall shower.
I can’t overstate how amazing this felt. My skin was softer than I can ever remember – literally baby-smooth! Nicole and I immediately decided we needed to incorporate regular peelings into our home routine. It was one of those moments where you realize you’ve been neglecting something important in your self-care.
Station III: Hot Herbal Steam (45°C)
This was probably my favorite station. The hot herbal steam filled our lungs with the most incredible aromas while the heat worked to further open our pores and relax our muscles. The combination of heat and herbal essences was deeply relaxing. We cut this station a bit short for Nicole’s comfort, but even our abbreviated time here was wonderful.
Station IV: Hot Bath
Next came a hot bath designed to further purify and detox our bodies. We soaked for about 12-15 minutes, though honestly, I lost track of time. That’s the sign of a truly relaxing experience, isn’t it? When you’re so in the moment that time becomes irrelevant. The warm water enveloped us, and I could feel the tension of the past weeks melting away.
Being completely disconnected from our phones meant we weren’t constantly checking the time or getting distracted by notifications. It was just us, the water, and the moment – something that feels increasingly rare these days.
Station V: Warm Stones
This station was a bit unusual – we simply lay on warm stones to relax. I’ll be honest, it wasn’t the most comfortable experience lying directly on stone, but the warmth did help continue the relaxation process. It was interesting, if not my favorite part of the ritual.
Station VI: Roman Bath (35°C)
This central room was definitely a highlight. We spent about 20-25 minutes here (the longest recommended time of any station) soaking in body-temperature water with massage jets and bubble loungers. The water was perfectly warm, and the atmosphere was incredibly peaceful. The jets provided a gentle massage that worked out knots I didn’t even know I had.
Station VII: Exercise Bath (28°C)
After all that relaxation, it was time for a bit of movement. This cooler pool (though 28°C is still quite comfortable) was designed for swimming a few laps. After the heat of the previous stations, this felt refreshingly cool and helped close our pores. The temperature contrast was invigorating without being shocking.
Station VIII: Warm Stones (Again)
Yes, another warm stone relaxation area! This was a bit confusing to us too – it felt redundant after the earlier warm stone station. We didn’t spend much time here since we didn’t feel we needed another stone relaxation session.
Station IX: Ballroom
The “Ballroom” was simply a relaxation area with comfortable lounges. Nothing special, just a place to rest and continue unwinding. By this point, we were feeling thoroughly relaxed.
Station X: Spa Lounge
The final station was a lounge area where we could rehydrate with water and tea. There was also a small shop selling snacks and spa products. After all the heat and steam, the cool drinks were very welcome.
The first seven stations are the heart of the experience. The last three felt a bit like add-ons to justify the price. That said, the overall experience was still incredible and well worth it.
The Crowning Glory: Rooftop Infinity Pool
After completing the Roman-Irish ritual, we were free to explore the rest of the Hürlimann Spa Zurich facilities. The absolute highlight was the famous rooftop infinity pool with its breathtaking views over Zurich. We couldn’t have picked a better day – sunny and clear, perfect for enjoying the panoramic cityscape while soaking in perfectly heated water.
It was at this moment that I most wished I could take a photo, but the phone-free policy remained in effect throughout the spa. In retrospect, though, it forced us to be fully present and commit the views to memory rather than viewing everything through a screen. Sometimes the experiences we don’t document end up being the ones we remember most vividly.
We also tried the “tropical shower” experience – three different overhead showers simulating different types of tropical rainfall. It was surprisingly fun, and we went through the cycle multiple times!
Overall, our experience at Hürlimann Spa Zurich was exceptional. The unique setting in the historic brewery vaults, the well-designed ritual, the phone-free environment that allowed for true disconnection, and that stunning rooftop pool combined to create one of the most memorable spa experiences we’ve had in Switzerland. Despite the slight redundancy in the later stations, we’d absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a special relaxation experience in Zurich. We’re already planning our next visit for when life inevitably gets hectic again.
From Relaxation to Refueling: Dinner at Miss Miu
After hours of soaking, steaming, and swimming, we were absolutely famished. We hadn’t eaten since lunch, and by the time we finished at the spa around 9 PM, our stomachs were practically shouting at us. We decided to head to Miss Miu at Europa-Allee for some Korean food.
Miss Miu is known for authentic Korean dishes like bibimbap and kimchi, and it was exactly what we were craving after our spa experience. The restaurant has a vibrant, modern atmosphere that was energizing after our day of relaxation.
We both ordered bibimbap with beef, which arrived in traditional hot stone bowls that keep the rice crispy on the bottom. To drink, we chose alcohol-free cocktails with exotic names I can never remember (typical me!). But what I do remember is how delicious they were – refreshing and the perfect complement to the spicy Korean flavors.
When our food arrived, I think we both had that moment of pure joy that only comes when you’re truly hungry and see a beautiful meal placed in front of you. The bibimbap was incredibly flavorful – a perfect mix of vegetables, beef, rice, and that signature spicy gochujang sauce that ties it all together. I’m convinced it tasted even better because we were so hungry, but honestly, it would have been amazing regardless.
As you can see, we were so hungry that we forgot to take a picture before we ate. In the end we were so full after our main courses that dessert wasn’t even an option, though their menu had some tempting choices. The combination of complete physical relaxation from the spa and satisfaction from a delicious meal made for the perfect end to our day.
The Perfect Swiss Wellness Day
If you’re visiting or living in Switzerland and looking for the perfect combination of relaxation and culinary delight in Zurich, I can’t recommend this pairing enough. Start with a few hours at the Hürlimann Spa Zurich to reset your body and mind, then head to Miss Miu for a delicious Korean feast or another culinary experience.
The contrast of the historic spa setting with its ancient bathing rituals and the modern, vibrant Korean restaurant creates a day of experiences that satisfies all the senses. It’s become one of our favorite ways to treat ourselves when we need a break from the everyday hustle. We rate our relaxing Spa retreat evening with a clear 5/5 Ghosts.
Have you visited the Hürlimann Spa Zurich or have another favorite spa in Switzerland? Or maybe you’ve tried Miss Miu or have other restaurant recommendations in Zurich? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!