After moving to the Netherlands, I happily embraced the local spa culture — to the point where it became an essential part of my wellbeing. You pack your bag, escape for a screen-free day to some former farmhouse with sheep roaming around, hop from one sauna to another, walk barefoot on wet grass and return to your daily life a reborn human being.
In this post, I rounded up my three favourite spa spots in the Netherlands, together with a few tips to avoid confusion and overspending (we’re in the Netherlands, after all).
Spa culture
Spa culture varies significantly from country to country, and it became especially clear to me during a trip to Japan. In the changing room of an onsen in Osaka, I was approached by an extremely shocked and deeply traumatised older Italian lady. “Why are they all naked here?! Is it necessary?” I was a bit surprised and asked whether it was the same in Italy. “Of course not!” she huffed, offended, turned around and walked out of the facility.
I know quite a few people who experienced the same kind of cultural shock in the Netherlands, so if you, like my accidental acquaintance, are very specific about your physical boundaries, here is my tip number one.
Before you plan an escape to a Dutch spa, head to their website and find the “badkledingdagen” section.
It will tell you the exact days when you can come and be safe from unwanted exposure, or, in some cases, from kids catapulting into the swimming pool on family days.
Once you’re safe, it’s best to book your visit online, since the price on location tends to be slightly higher. If you’re willing to save even more, check whether the chosen spa has any deal listed on its website or is currently available on platforms such as Social Deal. It’s also useful to sign up for the newsletter to get the best deals, and keep the vouchers some spas give away at the end of your stay. If the company owns multiple resorts, you can usually use the discount at any of them.
Note that wellness resorts in the Netherlands don’t normally provide free towels, bathrobes and slippers. You can always rent them or buy what is required on location, but if you plan to visit relatively regularly, it’s wise to get your own set.
Now that you’re all set, here are my top three spots.
Zwaluwhoeve
Hierden, Gelderland
Located on a former farm, Zwaluwhoeve is a perfect place to escape the city buzz. It has 16 indoor and outdoor saunas, several baths and swimming pools, but it’s also the location itself that gives you a proper reset. The resort is surrounded by greenery, and the whole experience feels very Dutch in the best possible way: practical, spacious, unfussy and very soothing. You can easily spend the whole day there without feeling like you need to do anything.
Sanctum
Maastricht, Limburg
Sanctum is part of the Maison Haas Hustinx hotel in the city centre of Maastricht. It only has a compact set of facilities — a pool, sauna, hammam and relaxation areas, but you don’t really need more than that. The sessions are limited to two hours, and the spa allows a maximum of six guests at the same time, which makes the whole experience feel much more intimate than a classic wellness resort. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you can get an almost private experience with the whole facility just for yourself.
Thermae 2000
Valkenburg, South Limburg
Thermae 2000 sits on top of the Cauberg hill in Valkenburg, which already makes it feel slightly different from most spa resorts in the Netherlands. Instead of flat fields and sheep, you get South Limburg hills, wide views and a very mild illusion that you have left the country without actually leaving it.
It is one of the largest wellness centres in the Netherlands, with indoor and outdoor thermal pools, saunas, steam baths, whirlpools and treatments, but what makes it especially unique is the water. The pools here are filled with mineral-rich thermal spring water pumped from deep within the Cauberg.
Thermae 2000 feels a little more resort-like than the other two. It’s bigger, busier and more of a full experience, especially if you stay overnight at the hotel. But if you choose your timing well and avoid the peak rush, it can still be a very good reset.
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See more about spas here in Dispatches’ archives.
Read more from Oxana here.
Oxana Skibun
Oxana Skibun is a fashion and lifestyle editor who has crafted her stories for print and digital media outlets across Europe, the Middle East and Russia. Raised in Moscow, she now lives in Amsterdam, where she continues writing for international audiences.
