Europe is full of destinations for short wellness breaks but if you are looking for an affordable healthy holiday then Svata Katerina in the Czech Republic will surely fit the bill.
Located about 2 hours from Prague near the small town of Počátky, Svata Katerina is a place for those who love the countryside. Set in several acres of green pastures and forests, they offer outdoor activities including tennis, horse riding, hiking, biking, dog sledding, and in the winter time skijoring, a cross between skiing and horse riding. The wellness centre offers a spa, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi giving you the perfect combination of spa and sport.
Europe is full of destinations for short wellness breaks but if you are looking for an affordable healthy holiday then Svata Katerina in the Czech Republic will surely fit the bill.
Located about 2 hours from Prague near the small town of Počátky, Svata Katerina is a place for those who love the countryside. Set in several acres of green pastures and forests, they offer outdoor activities including tennis, horse riding, hiking, biking, dog sledding, and in the winter time skijoring, a cross between skiing and horse riding. The wellness centre offers a spa, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi giving you the perfect combination of spa and sport.
View from the patio of the Sauvigon (deluxe) room
The hotel facilities are set over two of the three buildings, just a minutes’ walk apart. The rooms are relatively basic but clean and comfortable, all with en-suite bathrooms with showers, and many with bathtubs. I would recommend a Sauvignon (deluxe) room in the main hotel building, as it has a large patio balcony overlooking the lake.
Catering largely to a weekend market, the resort offers several specialised weekend group retreats, and I arrived in the midst of one of their dance weekends where I joined an energetic Zumba class. It had been a few years since I had practised Zumba but I picked up the new routine with relative ease and it rekindled my interest; dancing is a great way to have fun and get fit at the same time!
Breakfast is a continental style buffet, with a selection of fresh fruits, salads, breads, cereals and cheeses as well as scrambled eggs, juice, tea and coffee. You can also order other items such as omelettes, at an additional charge. The foods all have their calorific content displayed, which is great if you are being conscious of your weight and on their weight loss retreat. All meals are served in the same restaurant, which overlooks the lake, and if the weather is nice you can dine outside on the decking. Lunch and dinner offer the same menu, which has a variety of options to suit all tastes, and varies, from healthy salads, soups and fresh pasta to delicious desserts if you fancy a little treat!
Baked sea bream with fennel and orange (left) Ice plunge pool (right)
The wellness area is instantly calming with dark slate walls, low lighting and candles, a perfect place to de-stressand unwind. I tried the acupressure massage with seashells, which consists of a gentle but firm massage applied by warm cowrie shells which was absolutely amazing! They offer a wide variety of treatments from European and Thai to Balinese and Ayurvedic making this a perfect destination for a spa holiday. There are two Finnish (dry) saunas and two steam baths, and both of these have an unscented and aromatic option. I braved the combination of the sauna followed by the ice-cold plunge pool which is good for improving your circulation but not for the faint-hearted!
The fitness facilities are located in one of the neighbouring buildings which still resembles a school, in keeping with the property’s history. Most of the fitness classes take place here whilst the yoga lessons are conducted in a dedicated room overlooking the gardens and lake, or outside if the weather permits. The gym is small but has good equipment and contains everything you would need including various weight machines, a treadmill, cross trainer, free weights and bosu ball.
Sophie with her horse, Whiskey
Given the green surroundings of the resort, I was excited to go horse riding and was pleased to see the horses were all healthy and well cared for. My horse, Whisky, was very well trained and responsive, and we rode around the resort, through the woods and out into the open where we cantered through the fields amongst deer and rabbits!
Evenings are as quiet and relaxed as the days, though on some Saturday evenings there is a local musician playing the harp in the restaurant, which complements the peaceful atmosphere. You won’t find any televisions at Svata Katerina and Wi-Fi is only available in public areas, but this gives you the opportunity to truly unwind and get away from the stresses of everyday life, to be surrounded by and appreciate nature. For an affordable spa break, Svata Katerina is one to try.
To request a quote or for more information visit our Svata Katerina page
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