Beatus Wellness And Spa Hotel: Massages And Fondue On Lake Thun

Beatus Wellness and Spa Hotel: Water is considered an elixir of life. After all, the human body consists of up to 70 percent of it, and the mere sight of water automatically makes us calmer, more relaxed. A vacation at the lake is therefore like a freshness cure. You can find it in a particularly lasting way at the wellness and spa hotel on Lake Thun in Switzerland.

The Beatus, a five star hotel, is situated in a prime location in the tranquil village of Merligen between Bern and Interlaken – with the longest private direct lake access in Switzerland at a length of 262 meters. It is only a few meters from the 12,000 square meter hotel park to the cool waters of Lake Thun. If you like, you can sunbathe on one of the loungers on the hotel’s own sandy beach under palm trees or in a hammock between 100-year-old beech trees, your feet caressed by the soft grass.

Beatus massage boat on Lake Thun

In bad weather, the 2,000-square-meter wellness area, including an indoor pool with direct access to the heated brine pool outside, is the ideal retreat. A special feature of the two beautifully designed sauna areas are the changing infusions with essential oils, whose scent mixtures such as “ginger oil mojito” or “7th heaven” were created especially for the Beatus Wellness and Spa Hotel. Always included: the unobstructed view of Lake Thun and the pyramid-shaped local mountain Niesen.

Even more impressive is only the special spa menu of the Beatus. In addition to classic back massages, guests can enjoy innovative treatments such as “La Stone” with Merliger marble stones, a “Lomi Lomi” treatment with organic coconut oil, a full-body treatment with pure gold, or – an unforgettable highlight! – a massage in the middle of Lake Thun (possible between June – September). For this, you go from the wellness area onto a wood-paneled boat with a treatment couch, which sails out onto the lake and stops there to relax completely under the skilful hands of a therapist in the pleasant rocking feeling of the lapping waves.

Certified bike hotel

A perfect complement to the water-affine wellness part of the hotel is the versatile activity program. From guided hikes and bike tours (the Beatus is certified as a Swiss Bike Hotel!) to yoga or Pilates classes and in-house wine tastings, guests can explore both the surrounding landscape and the wonderful cuisine at the Beatus in a variety of ways.

Chef Tim Adolphs relies on local suppliers for his Alpine-Mediterranean cuisine. For example, 100 percent of the fish and most of the meat comes from Switzerland. The menu also includes many healthy vegetarian-vegan creations – in keeping with the Beatus motto “Luxury is time for enjoyment”.

In keeping with the nature-oriented cuisine, the hotel has been self-sufficiently supplied by a lake water heat pump since the end of 2022. The heat from Lake Thun serves as an energy source and supplies the entire house with heating and cooling power.

Herb walks meet art and culture

The sustainability concept is also reflected in the regular herbal workshops that the hotel holds with knowledgeable experts such as the druggist Peter Brechbühl from the nearby village of Sigriswil. He vividly imparts knowledge about medicinal plants and holds tea tastings.

In terms of culture, the varied event series “Word, Art and Music on the Lake” is a delight. For example, there are jazz evenings in spring, contemplative readings in the run-up to Christmas and live discussions in autumn.

Fondue on Lake Thun

In winter, two special gastronomic highlights invite guests to visit the Beatus: On the one hand, sushi chef Luca Visconti, formerly active in a Michelin-starred restaurant, will serve his Far Eastern creations in a culinary pop-up from December 1, 2023 to March 2, 2024.

On the other hand, one can enjoy cheese fondue typical of the country in a setting that is as private as it is extraordinary, on board the hotel boat – complete with captain, regional dried meat specialties, plenty of cheese and homemade vermicelles, a Swiss dessert made from chestnut puree. If you prefer to stay on land, join us in the cozy Fondue-Hüsli in the park by the lake.

To cut a long story short: All seasons are worth a visit to the Beatus Wellness and Spa Hotel on the Swiss “Riviera”. After all, the five-star hotel has retained the coziness it once possessed as an inn. It was expanded to include the sophisticated flair that was added in the 1960s, when water-skiers and beach beauties made pilgrimages to Lake Thun and the James Bond movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” was filmed there.

“007” flair on the Swiss Riviera

As a guest at the Beatus, you feel like a movie star, not least thanks to the warm and welcoming service under the direction of hotel director Sebastian Moser. The breathtaking view of Lake Thun, which can be admired not only from most of the 71 rooms and suites, but also from the two hotel restaurants, offers great cinema day and night.

Thus, the Orangerie as an à la carte option and the main restaurant designed with maritime elements, where guests are served a multi-course menu in the evening, are both located on the lake side with a large terrace area and are, like the rest of the hotel, modernly furnished with appealing retro elements. A visit to Beatus refreshes not only the mind, but also the eye.

Top tip for excursions
The St. Beatus Caves, just 15 minutes’ drive from the Beatus Wellness and Spa Hotel, are among the ten largest caves in Switzerland and lie picturesquely above Lake Thun. The ascent is accompanied by thundering waterfalls, and inside, very special stalactite formations will delight you.

photos: Beatus Hotel (12), Mike Badstuebner (2)