24 Aug 2017
Japan meets Bavaria at minimalist onsen spa by Lake Tegernsee
BY Kim Megson
A Japanese-inspired hotel spa in Germany, billed as the country’s first, has opened among Bavaria’s Alpine peaks.
Located in the town of Rottach-Egern, which sits alongside Lake Tegernsee, the Mizu Onsen Spa is inspired by Japanese minimalism – with clean lines, a neutral colour palette and subtle lighting – allowing guests to fully connect with their senses.
German practice rgp architekten and New York studio Design MW have used locally-sourced natural materials and warm cedar wood accents throughout the spa, which is connected to the recently renovated Hotel Bachmair Weissach.
Facilities include eight treatment suites, a relaxation area next to the brook that runs through the hotel’s garden, and a ‘Super Silent Room’ where visitors can meditate in absolute quiet. Traditional onsen baths also feature, with water temperature ranging from 2 to 42 degrees Celsius (35.6 to 107.6 Fahrenheit).
“Embodying a spiritual marriage between East and West, Mizu Onsen Spa seamlessly combines cultural influences from Japan with Lake Tegernsee traditions, resulting in a uniquely regional spin on Japanese bathing culture,” said a representative from Design Hotels, a hospitality group that represents 280 independent hotels around the world.
Spa treatments on offer include water therapy and Japanese "Ishi" hot stone massages. Others incorporate products from the Japanese brand Sensa, organic skincare firm Susanne Kaufmann, and local natural cosmetic producer Gertrud Grube.
The Hotel Bachmair Weissach was originally built in 1862 by Bavarian mill owners the Bachmair family. In 2010, the property was acquired by local businessman Korbinian Kohler, whose grandfather was a regular patron, and he commissioned rgp architekten to renovate the building as an “authentic and elegant” lifestyle resort for business and leisure.
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