Baden Baden Casino & Baths?
Feb 23rd, 2005, 08:12 AM
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Baden Baden Casino & Baths?
Anyone been? Was the Casino enjoyable or really snobby (you know what I mean)?
Last time we were there we went to the really old baths but we were thinking of trying the newer ones-any suggestions?
Thanks!
Last time we were there we went to the really old baths but we were thinking of trying the newer ones-any suggestions?
Thanks!
Feb 23rd, 2005, 08:19 AM
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Baden-Baden is great and i thoroughly enjoyed the casino tour. (The tours at the time we were there a few years ago went off only until noon or so - and the guided tour of the casino was GREAT! The ornate 19th-century gaming halls, works of art, really neat - when the casino is at full tilt as a gaming parlor it wouldn't have the same aura. Be sure to get there early enough to take the tour.
Feb 23rd, 2005, 08:26 AM
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I was in the casino in Baden-Baden about 20 yrs. ago, and it was rather "formal". I don't know if I'd call it snobby, and I also don't know how 20 years may have changed the scene. I've never been to Los Vegas, but it was very different from what I imagined the casinos there to be like. There were no slot machines at that time.
Feb 23rd, 2005, 10:20 AM
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We have family in Baden-Baden and go there as often as our schedule permits, at least a couple of times a year. It's one of our favorite places to unwind.
First the casino: there are really two casinos. The more formal casino does require decent attire, has an entry fee (about 5 euros, it's a token fee), you must bring your passport (the original, not a xerox), and the dress is more formal. Not sure if a jacket and tie are required, but it's probably a good idea to wear one.
However, on the lower level is a simpler casino with a 1 euro entry fee, no passport required to enter, and it's virtually all slot machines of one kind or another. No dress code there--go casual. FWIW, my husband and father in law went to the formal casino to play the roulette wheel and other more "sophisticated" games and each lost 200 euros; my Mom and I went the casual route in the lower level and each won about 15 euros.
The casino also has a very good restaraunt (the Kurhaus), especially nice in winter for its wild game menu or in the summer when you have a view of the outdoor concert stage.
Re the spas, the two main ones are the Friedrichs Bad Roman/Irish spa and the Caracalla spa. For those who don't know it, the Friedrichsbad spa is the traditional spa--and note, it's a primarily a NUDE spa, so hope you don't mind being naked with strangers of the same *and* opposite sex--with beautiful baths, mosaics, etc. Men and women bathe separately on Mondays and Thursdays, but it's mixed bathing the rest of the week. Prices are 21 euros for 3 hours; or 29 euros for 3 hours if you want a soap and brush massage. Towels, bathing shoes, etc., provided and included in the price.
Caracalla is the new spa just off the Sophienstrasse. Very modern, but also beautiful. You can wear your bathing suit for that one (and it can be regular American bathing trunks, not Speedos). Prices are lower--14 euros for 3 hours. We brought our own towels, but I think you can get them there as well. Massages, etc., available at extra charge. Has a large (heated) outdoor spa pool as well--great for "schwimbadding" under the stars, especially in the snow.
Don't forget that a few hotels have their own spas. The Brenner Park hotel is the most famous, a traditional 5-star luxury hotel. We prefer the Dorint, a 5-star modern hotel next door to the casino. Its spa is very pleasant and relaxing and they also offer a wide variety of massages, facials, etc. They offer some very good Internet rates on the www.sofitel.com web site--my mother and I stayed there last January and paid 159 euros per night, including breakfast and taxes, for a deluxe double and full use of spa facilities.
Baden-Baden has some excellent restaurants and cafes (GREAT pastries), good shopping, pretty parks, plays, concerts, and so on. It's worth an overnight, IMHO. Have fun!
First the casino: there are really two casinos. The more formal casino does require decent attire, has an entry fee (about 5 euros, it's a token fee), you must bring your passport (the original, not a xerox), and the dress is more formal. Not sure if a jacket and tie are required, but it's probably a good idea to wear one.
However, on the lower level is a simpler casino with a 1 euro entry fee, no passport required to enter, and it's virtually all slot machines of one kind or another. No dress code there--go casual. FWIW, my husband and father in law went to the formal casino to play the roulette wheel and other more "sophisticated" games and each lost 200 euros; my Mom and I went the casual route in the lower level and each won about 15 euros.
The casino also has a very good restaraunt (the Kurhaus), especially nice in winter for its wild game menu or in the summer when you have a view of the outdoor concert stage.
Re the spas, the two main ones are the Friedrichs Bad Roman/Irish spa and the Caracalla spa. For those who don't know it, the Friedrichsbad spa is the traditional spa--and note, it's a primarily a NUDE spa, so hope you don't mind being naked with strangers of the same *and* opposite sex--with beautiful baths, mosaics, etc. Men and women bathe separately on Mondays and Thursdays, but it's mixed bathing the rest of the week. Prices are 21 euros for 3 hours; or 29 euros for 3 hours if you want a soap and brush massage. Towels, bathing shoes, etc., provided and included in the price.
Caracalla is the new spa just off the Sophienstrasse. Very modern, but also beautiful. You can wear your bathing suit for that one (and it can be regular American bathing trunks, not Speedos). Prices are lower--14 euros for 3 hours. We brought our own towels, but I think you can get them there as well. Massages, etc., available at extra charge. Has a large (heated) outdoor spa pool as well--great for "schwimbadding" under the stars, especially in the snow.
Don't forget that a few hotels have their own spas. The Brenner Park hotel is the most famous, a traditional 5-star luxury hotel. We prefer the Dorint, a 5-star modern hotel next door to the casino. Its spa is very pleasant and relaxing and they also offer a wide variety of massages, facials, etc. They offer some very good Internet rates on the www.sofitel.com web site--my mother and I stayed there last January and paid 159 euros per night, including breakfast and taxes, for a deluxe double and full use of spa facilities.
Baden-Baden has some excellent restaurants and cafes (GREAT pastries), good shopping, pretty parks, plays, concerts, and so on. It's worth an overnight, IMHO. Have fun!
Feb 23rd, 2005, 10:23 AM
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Forgot to add that Caracalla can be quite crowded on week-ends. On our last visit, we almost went there but the wait in line was over 30 minutes and the pools looked too busy. We opted to stick with the spa facilities back at the Dorint. If you want to enjoy Caracalla at its most relaxing, go on a non-holiday week-day.
Feb 23rd, 2005, 11:51 AM
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Listen to BTilke. She gave me all of the info we used for our trip to BB. The Caracala spa which is the newer spa, is the one that is non nude although there are areas to to commando if you want. Have fun. We ended up skipping the Casino and having lunch at the Lowenbrau House(?). Enjoy your stay.
