Hi All, i have just returned from a disappointing experience from the Hotel Therme in Vals (GR).

After booking the hotel room online i can honestly say that the website grossly over states the quality of the rooms and the ambience.
I was looking forward to 4 days/nights of relaxation, instead disappointed.

We had booked one of the Stucco rooms which was about 180CHF/person per night and the room was like a shoebox, dark and gloomy!
I asked to be moved into a better room (at 225CHF per person per night ) and only stayed one night, just to expensive and bad value for money.

The hotel resembles a mental institute inside and out and definitely does not provide a cosy alpine atmosphere which is what i was expecting.
The Hotel is old and in desperate need of a facelift inside and out.
The thermal baths were OK, however for the money i have been to much nicer places in Austria and Canada that offer combined hotel and wellness.

I highly recommend anyone going to this place not to be fooled by the website, it doesn't show you much apart from a few arty photos!

Upps, we were just thinking to reserve from that hotel. Thanks for sharing this experience..

Thanks for posting.

Just thought I'd add that we were also disappointed with the thermal baths in Yverdon les Bains. Warm, but not hot. No view. And an unexplained light system that indicates that you are supposed to rotate around the baths...just in case you needed some structure and rigidity in your relaxing.

On the other hand, the thermal baths in Leukerbad, are far and away the best I have ever been in. Hot water, indoor and outdoor pools, incredible view of the mountains, awesome water features (bubble bed anyone?) Definitely worth the trip!

We've never been disappointed with Yverdon I must say, despite the lack of view. Most spas have the 'lights' indicating time to move on to the next 'buse' or water jet (they are graded all along one of the pool walls, from anckles, to calves, knees, thighs, lower, middle and upper back- because some people just stay in one place and hog a jet for hours. Yes it is a shame, but then at least all get a turn to get the whole body water massaged. Leukerbad as the same btw - but yes, the view is amazing. For other great views go to Ovronnaz or Val d'Illiez.

I have been to the baths in Vals a number of times. It is a fantastic place - especially in Winter - if you appreciate the design of the baths and the views. I've never staying in the hotel - and TBH going to a spa-hotel in Switzerland and expecting it to be good value or have large rooms is a tad ambitious.

If you want a bargain 5* spa break then your best is to head here - go to Hotels and look at the Thermia Palace. Not that I have spent 2 nights there - that would just be embarassing for a man to admit.

Ovronnaz btw have some great value offers at the mo, hotel, meals, ski passes and spa. There is nothing like hot water jets after a days skiing!

Part of RCI if anybody has got timeshare weeks to exchange as we have done several times.

Scuol also have some good deals - upper-midrange hotel for 2 nights bed and breakfast, 2 days ski-pass, local bus service and taxes etc - 500chf.

Skipasses alone would account for 220chf of that!

6 nights in a studio or apartment at the spa
entrance to spa for the duration incl sauna/fitness
6 day ski pass

CHF723.

They also have 2 and 3 night offers with meals and all the above.
www.thermalp.ch

Ovronnaz is not far at all from Lausanne and can be reached by train and bus, as can Leukerbad (aka Loèche-les-Bains).

Oh, dear...I was shaking when I was reading your post because we've booked a long weekend in "Zur Therme Hotel" in Bad Zurzach and for a moment I thought you were talking about that one...as the names are quite similar.

Anyway, I am sorry you felt ripped off... and thanks for sharing.

The Vals Spa is lovely, a real work of art and the views are beautifuk, but the main hotel is a rip off. It is bettee to stay at one of the smaller bed and breakfasts.

I have also just returned from Vals Therme Spa. I had an awesome time. Loved the place and had a wonderful relaxing time. I was on a 4 day mind and body harmony package. I couldn't get booked in one the rooms I wanted so ended up in one of the lower standard rooms but I didn't spend that much time in my room anyway. The food was really good and plentiful and views were breathtaking.

Yes its expensive but this is Switzerland. Swimming in the outdoor spa under the stars at night also in the day when it was snowing with icicles in my hair is an experience I'll never forget.

I think they just need to upgrade and modernize their rooms then it will be much better.

My experience was very positive and I'd go back again but as this was my first trip to the mountains and to a Swiss Therme I've nothing yet to compare it to.

Charmey is good as well - same jets and bubble beds though not the same spectacular views as you get from the outdoor pool at the Alpentherme in Leukerbad.

I love the granit and the design of the Vals Spa. The restaurant is very good, I haven't stayed in the hotel because the prices have put me off

I wouldn't recommend Thermalp in Ovronnaz, unless you are a young family. Boring village, mediocre hotel, overcrowded and unhygienic baths, moody staff and more kids than I have ever seen in any other 'spa'. Some years ago it might have been nice, now it is just a 2* resort with 4* prices.

There are many other (better) options in Switzerland, some of which have already been mentioned (Leukerbad, Scuol).

I loved my weekend in Vals. The view from the window in our room was great, it was great to go straight to the pool in the morning without even bothering to get dressed first, I loved lazing in the warm water with the snow falling on my face, I even enjoyed the cold pool, the food was great, the service was good, the dog with us had a wonderful time, the pianist in the lounge was good and he played things I liked - however this was several years ago and as I haven't spent many other weekends being pampered in an hotel to compare it with I'm probably not a very good judge of the place today.

That's true, its nice when you stay in a hotel with a spa and you can go to the spa in your bath robe and slippers!

Interesting. We had a great time when we were there a few years back. I suppose some weeks are much more crowded than others- we would always go off-peak. My comment though was mainly about the amazing view- and the mix of ski and spa. Going there again in a few weeks, so will report back. The apartment we had was huge and very well appointed, with huge balcony and views- and as said above, you can access the baths all 'in house' in your dressing gown and slippers.

Skiing in Leukerbad is actually very good- we had a brilliant week of powder there 2 years ago. Leukerbad has several different pools and spas- the most famous being the municipal one, not attached to any Hotels- and the Alpentherme, which has a Hotel but is very expensive.