Last updated on November 25, 2023
I’ve visited Karlovy Vary many times for day trips during my 10-year stay in Prague. It’s a 2-hr journey by Flixbus, and the stop is only 5 mins walk from my home. These trips have mostly been with visitors to explore or with locals to hike on the many trails around the city. However, this year, I had three Karlovy Vary hotel spa experiences.
Wellness Hotel Jean de Carro
In January, one sister, H, and I went to Karlovy Vary for two nights for her birthday. We booked a half-board stay with access to the spa area at Wellness Hotel Jean de Carro, This meant that breakfast and dinner were included in our stay, and we could access the Thermarium (Whirlpool, Sauna, Infrared cabin, Salt chamber, steam cabin, cold plunge) for 120 minutes. The hotel also offered massages, but we didn’t book any. The website advertises other treatments but we were told only massages were available.
Jean de Carro is on the side of one of the hills surrounding Karlovy Vary. Our room was clean but quite basic. The best part of it was that our window looked out onto the town.
The Thermarium
My sister and I had to book our time in the thermarium. We had a choice of booking two times but decided to book one 2-hour block. We had the place all to ourselves and easily used up the time with multiple visits to the saunas and plunge pool.
The Food
Breakfast was fine, although unmemorable. Dinner was another matter. We were supposed to have a menu to choose from each night. The first night, I chose pork schnitzel with potatoes. The second night, there was no menu, and the cook offered us the same meal as the night before. I selected something else from the menu which they did not want to make. We compromised so that my meal was slightly different from the previous night.
Spa Resort Sanssouci
About half a year later, in August, another sister came to visit me in Prague. Once again, we decided to go to Karlovy Vary for two nights. This time, we booked the Spa Resort Sanssouci
Sanssouci is right on the main drag in Karlovy Vary. The front of the hotel is rather unassuming, wedged in between stores, so much so that I walked past it twice during this trip without noticing. However, the furnishings and the rooms are clean, and the bed was comfortable. This was definitely a notch above Jean Carro. The receptionist spoke English, and though her demeanor was not at all friendly, she was helpful and efficient in checking us in and setting up a massage for my sister. The manager was very friendly.
The Spa
The spa area in this hotel is larger, with a swimming pool instead of a cold plunge or whirlpool. The area around the pool had a few loungers. There was a steam sauna and a Finnish sauna. The problem was that the Finnish sauna was off both times I went down, and I had to ask the staff to turn it on.
No booking was needed to use the spa area. We were there with 2-3 other people, which was fine. It was supposed to be possible to book treatments but the receptionist had to contact someone to do so. There were also limited times available (only until 3pm). I found the process too complicated for my limited availability while working, but my sister booked a massage. However, no one was there when she showed up for it, and it seems that someone was lost in translation. She cancelled the appointment once that confusion happened.
The Food
The hotel only served breakfast, which was included in our rate. There was a nice spread with a variety of hot and cold breakfast items. I love eggs for breakfast, and they had both hard boiled and scrambled.
Grand Hotel Pupp
After we made our Sanssouci booking, S and I were chatting about The Last Holiday and shared that we really wanted to stay at Grand Hotel Pupp, where Queen Latifah had her grand meals. We decided to stay in Karlovy Vary one more night for the experience, and so I booked a Riverside – Superior Room with front view directly on the hotel website.
The Grand in the hotel name is well deserved from checkin to checkout. The receptionist was welcoming and friendly. I’d emailed to request an early check-in and he remembered my email. But the best part was that we were upgraded to a Premier Suite.
The Spa
This was the largest of the three spas. There is a swimming pool, a whirlpool (or maybe 2?), a steam sauna, a dry sauna, a Finnish sauna, a relaxation room, and a salt cave. Then, on the second floor, there is an outdoor relaxation area.
The Food
The breakfast spread was extensive. There was a full-cooked breakfast and cold breakfast items, and you could also make pancakes. The setting is beautiful, as in the movie. S also ordered room service of a burger and fries and she said they were wonderful.
At the Cafe Pupp, we had coffee and dessert before our bus ride back to Prague. This was familiar to me. I’ve been there on every visit to Karlovy Vary. For this last stay, I enjoyed the carrot cake and a cafe latte.
Alžbětiny Lázně
Many hotels will not let you book treatments by phone or email if you’re not staying with them. This is the case, for example, with Carlsbad Plaza. However, you could walk in and find out what is available at the time. Since I was working during my last visit to Karlovy Vary, I needed to carefully plan my time. I did not have the freedom to go and find last-minute availability. Consequently, I decided to book at one of the public spas.
I was able to make an appointment online for Alžbětiny Lázně. I had a full body massage and a foot reflexology massage. Both were fine but as someone who usually has to ask the masseur to apply a lighter touch, I was surprised to find the pressure of both massages to be too light. Maybe it was meant to be relaxing rather than therapeutic. I wanted to do more treatments but since I went on a Sunday, most services were not available.
Other Restaurants in Karlovy Vary
Restaurant Le Marche
I first went to Le Marche with H for lunch to celebrate her birthday. We had two courses. When I went back with S, we had the tasting menu.
Summary
Karlovy Vary offers a variety of hotels and spa experiences with a range of budget options. While Grand Hotel Pupp is one of the priciest, it’s also where the stars for the international film festival stay. It was not as expensive as I expected at < 250 euros/night. You’ll be paying for a beautiful hotel with old-world charm, an extensive and beautiful spa area, and friendly, possibly delightful service.
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