Most sanatoria believe in the simple principle of using the natural world to aid in healing. Modern design now makes it easier to incorporate nature into architecture than it was for the Grand Hotels of the past. A prime example is Das Kranzbach, a contemporary spa offering a 360-degree view of the surrounding Bavarian landscape. The spa menu includes all the traditional treatments—facials, massages, and more—but the true health benefits may lie in the resort’s integration with the nearby forest. While relaxing in nature is nothing new, it’s the use of space and dimension that has made Das Kranzbach a destination for those looking for a heritage rest-cure experience. The spa is housed in a detached building accessible only by a connecting bridge. Here, guests are invited to leave their clothes and worries behind, surrounding themselves in outdoor pools, cedar saunas, and a resting room with wall-to-wall windows. Within this room, large lounge chairs look out over the tops of pine trees, giving a fully immersive experience from the comfort, and warmth, of their robes. Go ahead fall asleep but beware: in the word’s of Mann: “I shall need to sleep three weeks on end to get rested from the rest I’ve had."
From the article by Brett Braley
