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The phrase ‘there must be something in the water’ could have been coined at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz.
This palatial spa hotel, hidden in the mountains of eastern Switzerland, draws its USP from the Tamina Gorge, a legendary thermal spring world famous for its healing properties.
The water’s 36.5°C temperature (which, in a curious coincidence, is the same as that of the human body) and rich mineral composition are believed to stimulate metabolism and blood circulation, improve heart function and soothe joint conditions, among myriad other health benefits.
To put it simply, this is healing water, or so the stories go.
The spring was first discovered 779 years ago — the first guests were lowered a hair-raising 70 metres in baskets, blindfolded so they wouldn’t be frightened — and today it claims to hold the secret to long life.
For four outrageously lavish days, I swam, drank and even applied face cream made with the fabled water, to see if Bad Ragaz really does hold the key to longevity.
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Five-star facilities
I checked into a Junior Suite Deluxe, a sleek sanctuary with parquet floors, a natural stone bathroom and, to my excitement, a pillow menu for those who are particular about where they lay their head.
I could have easily whiled away the hours on the small balcony, gazing at the dramatic alpine skyline, but apart from a morning coffee in my robe and an evening soak in the bathtub, I spent little time in my room — there’s so much to explore in the hotel.
Grand Resort Bad Ragaz is home to seven restaurants with a total of six Michelin stars, offering traditional Swiss dishes including spaetzli (egg dumplings) and veal, as well as more luxurious bites like waffle and caviar.
There are 12 swimming pools, a golf course, an extensive menu of spa and wellness treatments (I can highly recommend the hot shell massage), and a number of stunning hiking trails that embroider the fairytale landscape of Heidiland.
The jewel of the resort is the Helenabad, a historic thermal pool surrounded by glossy marble pillars.
But despite its exclusive feel, Bad Ragaz doesn’t reserve its treasures for hotel guests.
The adjoining Tamina Therme — Europe’s first indoor thermal spa, built in 1872 — is open to the public.
Unlike the luxury price point of Bad Ragaz’s suites, entry to this sprawling complex is reasonable, starting at 27 CHF (roughly £25).
Simon Spiller, general manager at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, tells me the spa is designed first and foremost for locals.
‘By keeping the Tamina Thermal Spa open and accessible to everyone, we give something meaningful back to the people who make this region so special.’
The key to longevity?
The wellness industry has exploded since Covid ended, but Bad Ragaz’s newly revamped Tamina Health Centre goes far beyond the usual spa getaway.
Dr Jens Wagner, a senior physician at the resort, assures me ‘no one else in Europe matches our medical depth.’
A new longevity programme, which promises to reduce biological ageing, sees guests undergo extensive diagnostic tests measuring everything from blood pressure to posture. This is followed by a menu of wellness treatments, fitness sessions and nutritional guidance that have been forensically tailored to each person.
It sounds impressive, but I remained sceptical.
The biggest sticking point here is, as you may have guessed, the price. While double rooms at the Bag Ragaz start from £296 per night (which is quite reasonable, by Swiss standards), the longevity programme starts at £5,550 — and that’s without accommodation.
I’ve no doubt that exercise and a healthy diet improve longevity — and a massage or two thrown into the mix certainly sweetens the deal. But do you really need to take out a loan to do it?
The thing is, there’s no one-size-fits-all trick to longevity, and the secret to long life can’t be found at Bad Ragaz (or anywhere else, for that matter).
But the resort’s nutritionist, Sonja Ricke, gave me a lightbulb moment.
‘Longevity is not only connected to what you eat,’ she said. ‘It’s connected to joy.’
Was Sonja saying that really, when the chips are down, a long life is mostly about being… happy?
The rhythm of Bad Ragaz, with its slow mornings, quiet meals, and unhurried swims, reminded me that while it’s lovely to lounge about in luxury for a few days, you don’t need expensive spa treatments to feel refreshed.
I left the resort with an unmistakable glow, but my favourite moments were born out of finding joy in the little things: swimming beneath an open sky and enjoying the view of the mountains looming overhead.
If happiness is the key, then the secret to longevity lies in things we all have access to, like a walk in the countryside, a home-cooked meal or a swim in the sea.
But if anyone wants to send me back to Bad Ragaz for my birthday, I’ll fall on my sword.
Getting to Bad Ragaz
I flew to Zurich from London City Airport with SWISS, who also operate flights to the city from Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Birmingham, Newcastle and Glasgow airports, as well as Heathrow and Gatwick.
From there, it’s roughly an hour and a half by train to Bad Ragaz, a journey that takes passengers along the glittering shores of Lake Zurich and Lake Walen. Information about train tickets can be found on the Travel Switzerland website.
Alternatively, you can drive from Zurich Airport to Bad Ragaz in about an hour.
Ellie Hutchings was a guest of Grand Resort Bad Ragaz. Nightly rates start at £296 based on two people sharing. The Longevity Programme starts at £5,550, excluding accommodation.
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