The spa at Helvetia & Bristol
The 540sqm spa aims to create the experience of a Roman baths in a contemporary setting and guides guests on a journey through warm, hot and cold experiences in sequence. Its clever design is beautifully executed and ensures that guest’s access all of the element in turn, to gain the greatest benefit from the thermal experience.
The journey begins with the calidarium, the hammam and continues with an Aquamotus Vichy shower, emotional showers, a sudatorium, Finnish sauna, frigidarium, tepidarium and a salt room, which rests on a glass floor elevated over the foundations from the medieval era. The use of the Roman names reflects the correspondence of the present-day rooms to those of the original complex.
Quiet contemplation
To conclude guests can enjoy the Lacus Quietis, an area dedicated to the pools. This space has a tea rooms, fireside seating for relaxation and leads to the pool zone backed by an impressive video installation by artist, Felice Limosani, who has created a mesmerising digital landscape that seamlessly merges from the sea to mountains to the sky. This clever use of technology creates a moment of calm and tranquillity, while also filling the space with light and gentle movement.
Created by Florentine artist, Felice Limosani, the programme changes every 3-4 minutes, says Cavalli. “It gives the impression of space, it’s very important. Guests are very surprised by it. They don’t imagine that in the centre of the city there can be a place like this.”
