Hungary's first Vinotherapy Spa Hotel opens
Hungary’s famous Tokaj wine region is a World Heritage Listed site and has been a protected wine region by Royal order since 1737. It is now home to the country’s first vinotherapy centre at the four star Andrássy Kúria Hotel Wine and Spa hotel (andrassy.hu) that opened this month. The VinoSense Spa offers treatments based around the anti aging properties of grapes and grape seed. These treatments are based on extensive scientific research and follow a trend that began in France in 1999 when the first vinotherapy centre opened in Bordeaux, marking the start of combining wine and spa tourism.
Treatments such as face packs contain extracts rich in polyphenol, the active ingredient in all plants that is exceptionally concentrated in grape skins. Together with other facial treatments and massage these help to eliminate free radicals that contribute to 80 per cent of skin aging. Scientific research has shown that polyphenols are highly potent antioxidants and up to 20 times more effective than vitamin C.
The luxury four-star hotel is located in Tarcal in the Tokaj foothills, around a two and half hour drive from Budapest and combines the Andrássy winery that began operation in 1999, a country estate and the VinoSense Spa. The hotel features 38 elegant and traditionally designed rooms, plus two junior suites and a Presidential Suite.
The winery is set within around 35 hectares of vineyards and offers guests the opportunity to learn about the art of wine making, visiting the cellars and wine tastings plus taking part in grape harvests. The winery is a full-scale operation including a bottling and labelling plant and is a great place to visit for both novice and professional wine connoisseurs.
Guests can enjoy the health benefits of wine both inside and out and the following 90-minute signature treatments are available at the VinoSense spa:
• VinoSense Symphony Body Ritual – a bath in Tokaj wine in a barrel, exfoliation with Tokaj must and honey, must and thermal mud body wrap and Swedish massage with grape seed oil
• VinoSense Dolcissimo Body Ritual – a bath in Tokaj grape must in a barrel, exfoliation with honey and pomace, chocolate mousse body wrap with Tokaj Komplex, Swedish massage with vanilla and hazelnut oil
• VinoSense Bel Canto Rejuvenating Facial Treatment – anti-ageing treatment with Tokaj Komplex and must
FACT FILE
A three-night ‘Vinotherapy package’ is from £195 (59,000 HUF)* over the weekend and includes accommodation, breakfast and dinner, one vinotherapy cosmetic treatment, one massage, use of the wellness centre facilities plus one wine tasting session. This is based on two people sharing a double room. Flights to Hungary are not included. To book visit Andrassy.hu.
Fly direct to Budapest from Heathrow, Gatwick, Bristol, Luton, East Midlands, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Glasgow and Belfast. Airlines include BA, Malev, Easyjet, Ryanair, Jet2 and Wizzair.
For more information on Hungary log onto Gotohungary.co.uk.
