A Turkish Delight: Hot Springs Before a Massage
Overview
Massage room in FUGA fitness and Spa Center.
Spa: FUGA Fitness and Spa Center at Balçova Termal Otel
Location: Vali Hüseyin Öğütcen Cd. No: 2, Balçova, İzmir, Turkiye 35330
Visit: July 2024
Recommend: Setting aside about 40 minutes to reach the facility housing the thermal pools, determining which ones you want to experience, then allowing another 15 minutes to shower and make your way from the thermal pools to the fitness center for your massage.
The Balçova Thermal Hotel sits on a large campus and provides access to a massive facility, the Hot Springs and Cure Center, with a variety of pools, many heated - some filled with mineral waters. The hot springs, known as "Agamemnon Hot Springs," are used for physical therapy and rehabilitation, especially for those with rheumatism. Hotel guests have access to these springs through the use of eight thermal pools of differing sizes and temperatures.
The campus includes a fitness center, FUGA Fitness & Spa Center, with a street entrance open to the public. The fitness center has a massage facility. The locker room and shower facilities associated with the fitness center are smaller than the larger locker facility near the pools. It makes sense for the fitness area to have a smaller changing facility; the pool area covers a substantially larger portion of the grounds.
To make your visit to the FUGA Fitness Center and Spa even more relaxing, first check out the thermal pools. This review briefly describes the massage service I received and how this visit helped to validate/inform operations at fibre: A Homespun Spa in Silver Spring, Maryland.
The FUGA Spa facility was clean, minimally decorated and enhanced by the sound of relaxing music. During my one-hour session, the therapist used a combination of Shiatsu compressions and Swedish massage. These techniques are similar to the Classic Massage and Foot Massage offered at fibre. The session was effective and relaxing. FUGA offers a traditional Turkish steam bath. I passed this up as I had experienced the steam bath at two other locations in Turkey (click here for a historic bathhouse and here for an equally effective, less expensive option).
Great place to relax before a massage at FUGA Fitness & Spa. Hair caps are required in the outdoor pool.
Before my session, I stopped at the thermal pools. I saw only a few other guests in the huge facility (five people in swim wear; not all in the pool - a few sunbathed). I made an effort to get into as many pools as possible and sit in a sauna before my scheduled massage. The outdoor pool received full sun. With it being July and the temperatures high, I stayed the shortest time in the outdoor pool. I enjoyed the indoor pools, some with waterfalls and soothing shapes, the most.
TIPS FOR Your VISIT TO Balçova Termal Otel
Keys on orange and green bands are used for locking valuables away while using the thermal pools.
It is easier to reach the spa by going directly to the fitness center by walking towards the tennis courts. It’s about a ten-minute walk from the hotel.
If you want to experience the thermal pools, then enter the larger thermal pool facility by following a path through the hotel’s gardens. It’s also a ten-minute walk from the hotel. When you enter the facility - which reminded me of a large hospital, you will see the information desk. The attendants can direct you to the stairway for reaching the thermal pools and their locker room.
At the bottom of the stairs, you’ll see a box for picking up a plastic covers to place over your shoes. You can pick up a pair of spa slippers at the information desk at the lower level. You will also be able to pick up a key for your locker. The trick is to finding the locker with the corresponding number on the key, as the lockers are not numbered consecutively.
Before entering any of the pools, walk through the freestanding shower to rinse off. For the outdoor pool, a basket of hair nets are provided. Use one before entering the pool.
The fitness center can be entered from the facility with the thermal pools by following a long hallway on the lower level.
RESULTS: INFORMING SERVICES AT FIBRE
Reflecting only on the massage session at the fitness center, the visit sparked a desire to ensure first time visitors can easily find the entrance to fibre: A Homespun Spa in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.
We updated the scheduling page to highlight the nine stairs-steps on the path to enter the facility.
We routinely ask new clients if they had difficulty finding fibre. We use signage visible from the street to assist.
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“ENTER”
to receive 10% off any Returning Client session. Code expires 31 May 2025.