Palace Merano, Espace Henri Chenot

Everyone is attracted by the Catalan Henri Chenot, a doctor of philosophy and psychology. He opened his health center in the Palace back in the 1990s and his holistic, individually tailored spa concept soon appealed to a clientele that had previously heard little about the sleepy, traditional spa town. The aim of Chenot's cure is to detoxify the body through a detoxifying and regenerating diet specially developed by him and his wife Dominique, combined with hydromassage baths, mud packs, meridian massages and medical and energy check-ups based on the findings of Western and Chinese medicine. All of this is explained at the beginning of the cure, and we find the very personal attention given to each spa guest over the course of the week particularly pleasant and effective. Using a "logbook" with an individual diagnosis and tailored medical and nutritional advice, which is added to after each treatment, every member of staff knows immediately who they are dealing with and why. While the spa's success and medical reputation have been undisputed since the 1990s, the hotel's standard in terms of equipment, comfort and furnishings still left a lot to be desired. This changed in 2005 with the financial help of the new owner Pietro Tosolini, who had the Maur castle in a classic aristocratic style and the grand hotel thoroughly renovated with stylish furniture and materials and modern technology, as well as the associated functional, no-frills, medically elaborate spa center. Since 2007, the Palace Merano has been reserved exclusively for spa guests and their companions. A decision that has only had a positive effect: now overweight, stress-ridden, burnout-prone or "just" spa guests in need of relaxation are among themselves and enjoy a sophisticated ambience that is quite unique for a spa clinic.

Gourmet indulgence with water and tea
We experience a very relaxed atmosphere, which makes a cure at Chenot a sensual and enjoyable experience. For breakfast and lunch, you sit in a bathrobe or jogging suit in the magnificent Belle Epoque hall, and for the evening candlelight dinner, you appear in jeans and a T-shirt instead of a suit. Soy spaghetti or wholemeal crepes, eggplant soufflé or rye ravioli are served with grandeur on fine china and the water in polished wine glasses. A Biolight menu is available for guests who are not taking a cure. Alcohol is taboo: in the bar, a variety of herbal teas are offered in an atmospheric ambience accompanied by live music. Food and drinks are also served by room service on request. As a result, many guests rarely leave the hotel during their stay - a minimum of seven nights is mandatory.

Claudia Bette-Wenngatz