Frustrated by the Dinner Train debacle in May 2024, Sam, Danny and I looked for an alternative activity. As Sam is water baby, we and we don’t object to swimming pools, whirlpools and wellness facilities either, we booked three nights and two days in August 2024 at Aqua Dome – Tirol Therme Längenfeld. This ‘Signature Spa of the Alps‘ is located in Oberlängenfeld, in Längenfeld, in the Ötztal or Ötz Valley in Tyrol, in Austria. 

The subject of this blog post is the wellness part of Aqua Dome. A review of the hotel will be online a bit later. 

By the way, you’ll see few photos here. Aqua Dome doesn’t want you to take photos, although it did think of dedicated ‘photo points’. This ban is to ensure people feel comfortable and not part of an Instagram ad campaign. Furthermore, some areas are textile-free (aka naked) so yes, no or very few photos.

Introduction

“Covering more than 50.000 square meters, the Aqua Dome – Tirol Therme Längenfeld in the heart of the Ötztal Valley is the ideal place to make this dream come true. The most modern and eye-catching spa resort in the Alps boasts futuristic looking spa and fitness facilities with a range of pools, saunas and a small play area for children”, Aqua Dome says on its ‘About Us’ page. 

“Guests staying at the 4-star superior Aqua Dome Hotel also have exclusive access to the award-winning SPA 3000.”

“The Aqua Dome has been one of the most important attractions in Tyrol since it first opened in 2004”, CEO Bärbel Frey comments. 

“In 2013 work was completed on a new premium spa as well as 54 new rooms, six new family suites and a larger seminar area. Today, a combination of state-of-the-art spa facilities and beautiful alpine landscape makes the Aqua Dome the ideal place for a romantic break or a family holiday.

Aqua Dome is part of VAMED Vitality World. “The international health care group Vamed has been actively involved in the thermal spa and wellness sector since 1995.” 

“VAMED Vitality World was founded in 2006 and operates six of the most popular resorts in Austria: Aqua Dome – Tirol Therme Längenfeld, SPA Resort Geinberg, Therme Laa – Hotel & Silent Spa, St. Martins Spa & Lodge in Frauenkirchen, Therme Wien, TAUERN SPA Zell am See – Kaprun. This makes VAMED Vitality World the leading operator of thermal spa resorts in Austria.”

Look and feel

Aqua Dome was built in the early 2000s and while you have hints of that styling, the complex still looks fresh. The conic tower reminds me of Caldea in Andorra la Vella, but classier. 

There’s a mix of modernity and alpine charm. There’s a big use of wood, which gives the complex a  charming, cosy feel. I’m sure it looks very warm when covered in winter snow. 

Subtropical swim paradise?

When researching some facts and information about Aqua Dome, I came across reviews on Google. Some complain Aqua Dome is more of a subtropical swim paradise than a spa resort. While there are many children from babies to toddlers to preteens and teens, there are areas where you don’t have them playing around. 

So let’s look at at the areas, using the map provided when we checked in. Number 1 is the hotel, but that’s for later. 

2: Bathrobe corridor

The Bathrobe corridor leads connects the hotel to the spa wellness complex. It’s a long corridor which was a bit spooky on the first morning. It does protect you from the elements. 

3: Saunaworld and Bistro

Saunaworld is quite self-explanatory. This areas houses a variety of saunas at various heat levels and offering a diversity of vibes and aromas. 

The are is 15+ and is also a naked area. But we did not see teenagers. In 2024, teens are more intimidated by nudity than twenty years ago. 

We did not test all saunas. The three of us are more (whirl)pool people. But the atmosphere is nice and calm and people are there to relax. 

We did not try the Bistro.  

4: Thermen bath restaurant

Probably popular with day guests, but as we had half board at the hotel, we did not eat there. 

5: Treatment & Spa

Treatment rooms for your typical wellness activities.

6: Fitnesscenter

I did make use of Fitnesscenter or gym every morning. It opens at 7 AM which is nice and and early. The gym is quite large and has all you need and want from a gym. Cardio, muscle-building machines, free weights, a yoga studio, a spinning class room. 

The gym offered an opportunity to make photos of the Therme. 

7 : SPA 3000 & Bar 

“Here you can feel the strength of the Alps: Let your gaze wander through the huge panoramic glass panel and enjoy the breath-taking view of the Ötztal mountains”, Aqua Dome says. 

“Get an up-close experience of the strength of the Ötztal resources at SPA 3000, the award-winning premium wellness area only for hotel guests: Fragrant Alpine herbs, invigorating minerals, sparkling gemstones, as well as the flickering flames in an open fireplace, ice and bubbling thermal water are skillfully staged.”

“Harmoniously subtle interiors and futuristically designed relaxation areas on two floors embody wellness in a new dimension. The surrounding mountainscape is captured in the design language of SPA3000 – with its spruce, granite and the special layout. Let yourself be carried away in contemplative theme worlds!”

Do you know more now? Me, not really. 

SPA 3000 dies have more premium feel. As hotel guest, we had access to (almost) all areas so a difference is hard to see. SPA 3000 is party textiled, partly textile-free. 

8 and 9: Thermal bath, outdoor area and lounges

Only number 8 on the map, but arguably the main area. Large pools indoor and outdoor. One side is slightly warmer than the other. The fresher side is also meant for more actual swimming. 

The tower features three baths: a massage bath, a saltwater bath and a sulfur bath.

This area is very popular. It’s clothed and yes, there are many minors. So I get the ‘it’s more a subtropical swim paradise’ complaint here. Aqua Dome is a huge operation with high operating costs and they have to cater to families to ensure enough paying customers come. 

But the solution is: don’t be prude and go to Saunaworld. 

10: Children’s world ‘Alpen Arche Noah’

The kids area has water features and playground constructions. 

A visit

We arrived on a Monday evening and left on Thursday, giving us ample time to enjoy Aqua Dome. And because we also did excursions, we actually did not spend that much time in the water. 

Maybe even not enough. But we did try all we wanted to try and I made the best of it by also going for a swim in the early morning.

I found it not always easy to navigate. Getting from my room to the gym was quite trek. It wasn’t always clear to me in which area I was and while it’s nicely signaled when you have to be naked, it would be nice to make clear when you’re supposed to wear swimwear. 

But I see myself returning to Aqua Dome in a few years, or another of the VAMED resorts.