A Unique Spa Experience In Austria Combines A Tranquil Atmosphere With Breathtaking Views

There you are, immersed in a 95-degree Fahrenheit pool of water, as snowflakes fall around you. The Tyrolean mountains rise on all sides, their pine forests heavy with snow, but your body is practically boiling in this outdoor bath. The circular platform stands in the middle of an Alpine valley in Austria, and although average temperatures are sub-freezing for six months out of the year, the Aqua Dome spa-resort keeps guests luxuriously warm, thanks to thermally heated mineral waters. These "basins" come in all shapes, sizes, and depths; they're most dramatic in winter, but Aqua Dome's facilities are open all year.

Completed in 2004, Aqua Dome is a hospitality powerhouse in the heart of the Ötztal Valley, about an hour southwest of Innsbruck by car. The hotel contains 200 sleek rooms and suites, and the property caters to families, business travelers, and spa-seekers of all kinds. There are so many reasons to book a wellness retreat, and Aqua Dome is the perfect spot to recuperate, even in the frigid winter.

The outdoor basins may be the most photogenic offering, but Aqua Dome provides numerous other wellness services as well. The eponymous "dome" is a glass enclosure with indoor thermal baths, which contain spring water naturally heated up to 97 degrees Fahrenheit. While the glass may steam up a little, you can still gaze at the Alps from the temperature-controlled interior. There are even artificial "river rapids" that will carry you along a gently curving course and the colorful "Reifenrutsche" water slide. This voluminous space looks like a mashup of airport concourse and cruise ship; once you've finished your dip, you can recline in a deck chair on the water's edge and savor the sultry atmosphere.

Fittingly, guests can also spend time in the sauna, which is designed with the log-cabin aesthetic of Alpine chalets and can accommodate up to 70 guests. Head to the spa for massages, facials, and hair styling, or get a workout with a personal trainer or yoga instructor at the on-site fitness center. This blend of hospitality and epic natural surroundings has long been popular in the Tyrol region, and it's little wonder so many travelers are adding Austria to their bucket lists.

While the Aqua Dome property is an iconic presence in this part of the Tyrol, the Ötztal Valley has long been revered for its quaint villages and steep, wooded slopes. Plenty of people come here just for the bucolic scenery, which looks like the perfect setting for a "Heidi" adaptation, but there are lots of thrilling activities as well: The Sölden ski resort is just 20 minutes down the road, with its 89 miles of ski runs, and you're just 30 minutes from the Area 47 Aerial Adventure Park, a kind of high-flying obstacle course for daring adults and children. There's also old-fashioned hiking, traversable in all seasons, such as the historic Hochoetz Miner's Trail in the nearby commune of Oetz.

The easiest way to reach Aqua Dome is probably to drive, but you can also take the train to the Ötztal train station, about a half-hour away by taxi. The airport in Innsbruck is the closest option for flights, but some travelers may prefer to touch down in the larger Munich International in Germany (about 3 hours away). There are definitely advantages to ditching the rental car while traveling in Alpine Austria, especially if you're spending a big chunk of time relaxing at a spa. Note that this region is also home to one of Europe's most walkable cities.