A royal getaway: Our experience at the Ensana Nové Lázně Hotel in Mariánské Lázně

A short stay in Marienbad led us to the five-star Ensana Nové Lázně Hotel. This traditional establishment is renowned for its combination of historical ambiance and comprehensive spa and wellness facilities.

From the “New Bath” to a Meeting Place for Monarchs: The History of the Ensana Nové Lázně

The history of the Ensana Nové Lázně Hotel is linked to the rise of Marienbad (Mariánské Lázně) as one of Europe’s most splendid spa towns in the 19th century. The hotel was not just an exclusive accommodation but, from the very beginning, a central component of the spa-medical infrastructure and a social focal point.

The original building was constructed in 1828 and was aptly named “Neubad” (New Bath / Nové Lázně). The “golden age” of Marienbad at the end of the 19th century demanded even more luxury and modern spa facilities. For this reason, the hotel was rebuilt and expanded in 1896, receiving its magnificent Neo-Renaissance appearance.

It was during this period that the famous Roman Bath was created, featuring imposing marble columns, classical statues, and mineral water pools. The Casino, in Italian Neo-Renaissance style, was also added during this era and quickly developed into the social center of the spa town.

The Golden Age and its Famous Guests

After the renovation, the Nové Lázně advanced to become the leading spa facility in Marienbad. The hotel hosted guests from all over the world. Among the most famous visitors were:

• King Edward VII of England: He visited Marienbad a total of nine times and was a great lover of the spa town. The opulent “Royal Cabin” was specifically furnished for him.
• Other Monarchs and Nobles: Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia were also among the guests who valued the hotel’s amenities and the healing effects of the springs.
• Artists and Thinkers: Famous personalities such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the composers Frédéric Chopin and Richard Wagner, and writers like Franz Kafka and Mark Twain found inspiration and rest here.

From Changing Times to the Modern Renaissance

Even after the end of the monarchies, the hotel remained a prestigious address. However, the two World Wars and the subsequent political developments in Czechoslovakia led to a decline in international spa tourism. During the socialist era, it continued to serve as a spa house, but there was a lack of funds for comprehensive maintenance.

A new era began after the Velvet Revolution. The hotel was renovated step by step and with great attention to detail to restore its old splendor while simultaneously adapting it to the standards of a modern five-star hotel. Today, the Ensana Nové Lázně is a member of the “Royal Spas of Europe.”

A Venerable Ambiance that Invites Whispering

We arrive in Marienbad by car. The Ensana Nové Lázně Hotel is located in the heart of the spa town. As soon as we step out of the car, it quickly becomes clear to me that we will be staying in an exclusive hotel for the next few days. What an imposing building!

We reach the entrance area via a large, wide staircase. Already the lobby and the adjoining public areas, with their high ceilings, stucco decorations, and classic interior, convey the character of a grand 19th-century European spa hotel. You almost automatically whisper here, so dignified and venerable does the place seem.

After a friendly check-in, the “bellboy” (not my choice of words), meaning a hotel employee responsible for guests’ luggage, takes our suitcases to the room. We take the subsequently installed elevator to the second floor and follow him through long, wide corridors.

The Rooms at Ensana Nové Lázně: Classic Elegance Meets Modern Comfort

The large door opens, and we stand in a very classically furnished room. The furniture is made of dark wood, there is carpeted flooring and armchairs – the room thus appears stately and fits the ambiance of the house. The large double bed dominates the room. Over the two days, it proves to be comfortable, and the selection of pillows also offered suitable choices for our sleeping habits.

For two days, the wardrobe size was more than sufficient. For a longer stay and a lot of luggage, it might become a bit tight. But one can, for example, leave a bathrobe at home; there is a bathrobe for every guest in the room. Additionally, bags containing a towel for swimming pool and fitness room use are available in the room. These can be exchanged if needed.

The bathroom is very modernly equipped. In our room, there was a walk-in shower, numerous care products, and, of course, a hairdryer. The practical check showed in this room – the water was pleasantly warm!

We were particularly pleased that, despite the thick walls and long corridors, there was good, stable Wi-Fi in the room.

My Tip: A Room with History

Some of the hotel rooms have not been used as hotel rooms for very long. They used to be treatment rooms. You can sometimes recognize these rooms by tiles on the walls that, at first glance, don’t seem to really belong there. A small detail that reveals so much about the hotel’s history.

Moments of Indulgence in the Royal Restaurant and Viennese Café

As part of our half-board, food was offered in buffet form in the “Royal” restaurant. Guests who booked full-board also receive lunch there. Fitting the 5-star ambiance, guests are asked to appear in appropriate attire for meals. To my great pleasure – the guests really adhered to the requirement! This made the atmosphere truly very pleasant.

Dinner and Breakfast in the Royal Restaurant

Upon the first visit to the restaurant, each guest is assigned a table. They then keep this table until the end of their stay. We were lucky enough to be seated in the back area of the restaurant. This room was the farthest from the buffet but was smaller and therefore quieter.

Both breakfast (7-10:30 am) and dinner (5:30 – 8:30 pm) offered a very broad and high-quality selection. The range included dishes from international cuisine, Bohemian specialties, as well as dietary and health-oriented options.

For dinner, there was the option to choose a main course from a menu in addition to the buffet. The portions were not large (you could, after all, get more from the buffet if needed) and were served directly at the table. A nice service!

We really enjoyed the taste.

High-Calorie Break in the Viennese Café

The “Wiener Café” (Viennese Café) on the ground floor of the Ensana Nové Lázně Hotel (daily 9 am-6 pm) is a good complement to the restaurant.

It offers a classic coffee house atmosphere and is well-suited for an afternoon break. Various coffee preparations and a selection of cakes and tarts are offered. The cakes also attracted us and many visitors to Marienbad. The terrace was very well filled, and with a little luck, we found a small free table.

It was a tasty, high-calorie break – the cake was simply fantastic!

The Heart of the Hotel: Spa & Wellness

The spa and wellness area is the core of the hotel and, naturally, one of the main reasons guests stay here.

Even early in the morning, before breakfast, you can see the first hotel guests going to one of the many treatment rooms in their bathrobes. The hotel offers a wide range of medical and wellness treatments. After an initial medical examination, an individual treatment plan is created. The offerings include traditional healing methods of the region, such as mineral and peat baths, as well as modern physiotherapeutic treatments and massages.

A highlight of the Ensana Nové Lázně Hotel is the historic Roman Bath, characterized by marble columns and impressive architecture. A beautiful place to relax!

If you would like to learn more about the spa offerings, you can find detailed information in the article “Cure in Marienbad (Mariánské Lázně): An insight” So much for a preview: we tested several offerings and experienced both relaxing moments and surprises.

In the Footsteps of King Edward VII: The Royal Cabin

My Tip: Book a stay in the “Royal Cabin,” where King Edward VII of England once enjoyed his mineral bath. For me, it’s one of the most beautiful “bathtubs” I have ever been in.

Edward was a true fan of Marienbad. Between 1897 and 1909, he came here nine times. He loved not only the society and the beautiful landscape but, above all, the famous healing springs. His day followed a fixed ritual: In the morning, he drank his water from the Cross Spring, and after that, he went straight to the Nové Lázně, to his very private cabin for a relaxing mineral bath.

This cabin was his personal retreat. And the best part is: it looks almost exactly the same today as it did back then! With its opulent old tub and elegant resting room, you immediately feel like a guest of honor from the Belle Époque.

The Secret of the Royal Rocking Chair

In this beautiful room, there is a piece of furniture that visually doesn’t quite fit – a very special chair. The chair is made of dark, fine wood, robust and artfully decorated with turned legs and armrests. The genius of this chair is the built-in mechanical scale. King Edward VII came to Marienbad to look after his health and reduce his weight.

The story goes that he was a true connoisseur and therefore had to keep a close eye on his weight. With this chair, he could do so discreetly and comfortably. He only had to sit down, and a mechanism displayed his weight – without having to step onto a separate, unsightly scale. That was luxury and practical spa application in one!

Further Facilities

The hotel offers its guests:

• Beauty Salon Comfort Zone (by appointment)
• Lobby Bar: Craving a drink in the evening? Then this is the right place. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are offered. There is live music on Friday evenings.
• Medical care
• Lecture series
• Concierge service: Helps with organizing excursions, theater tickets, or transfers
• 24-hour reception

What we particularly liked was the connection between the adjacent Ensana hotels. Passageways lead from one hotel to the next, and guests of the Ensana Nové Lázně Hotel can also use the facilities in the other hotels:

• Swimming pool at the Hotel Hvězda
• Fitness center at the Hotel Central Spa
• Gymnastics classes, Nordic Walking, meditation, yoga and much more
• Cultural programs: e.g., concerts, dance evenings

For Whom is the Ensana Nové Lázně Hotel the Right Choice?

Our short stay at the Ensana Nové Lázně was a great break. From the venerable ambiance of the lobby to the excellent quality of the food and the unique wellness area in the Roman Bath, the overall package was perfect for us.

We recommend the hotel to all those who are not only looking for a luxurious spa or wellness vacation but also have an interest in history and traditional European spa culture. Anyone who appreciates walking the same corridors as kings and artists once did, and who prefers an atmosphere of peace and elegance over a sterile design hotel, will undoubtedly feel at home here. For us, it was an unforgettable experience.

Travel Information

Address

Reitenbergerova 53
353 01 Mariánské Lázně, Tschechische Republik

Website

The stay at the Ensana Nové Lázně hotel was part of a research trip.