Velky Meder Thermal Corvinus spa – the main reason to visit Meder
Velky Meder is a small town located in the Great Rye island (called Zitny ostrov in Slovakia) in Southwestern Slovakia. Despite of having roughly 9,000 inhabitants, it’s renowned all around Slovakia and also Hungary for its thermal spring. So what is the main thing to do in Meder? Relaxing at Velky Meder Thermal Corvinus spa.
Velky Meder Thermal Corvinus spa
The Hugarian King Matthias Corvinus gave Velky Meder town privileges in 1466, which is why the thermal spa was named after him.
I went to the Thermal Corvinus spa 3 times and every day the weather was different which was a good thing. I had a chance to explore different pools and enjoy them at different weather. The first evening was very hot so I only spent some time in the outdoor pool where I could go for a swim. Then the next 2 days it was a lot colder, to be honest quite cold for me. But cold weather and even with occassional rain and wind were perfect for outdoor hot thermal pools, right?
What I liked at Thermal Corvinus spa
- sauna rituals – there’s a small cute sauna world with a jacuzzi, cold water pool and 4 saunas. I spent an afternoon there and participated at 2 sauna rituals in Finnish sauna. They are paid extra, but just for a symbolic price. Each ritual was with different music and essential oils. During the ritual the sauna master distributed peeling, something else for the skin, or ice to cool down. I am a big fan of sauna rituals and go everywhere they offer them. It’s always very unique as it depends on the sauna master himself. Sauna rituals usually give me chills as the whole atmosphere is so special. Rituals also help me ”survive” the time spent in dry Finnish sauna better as that’s my least favorite sauna out of all sauna types. I can highly recommend sauna rituals at Thermal Corvinus.
- indoor pools and outdoor pools – with different water temperature. If I am not mistaken, the warmest one has 36 to 38 Celsius which felt REALLY good when it was raining outside.
- indoor swimming pool – remember to wear a swim cap, it’s obligatory. If you don’t carry any, you might use the one from your hotel room or buy one at the info centre next to the main Thermal Corvinus entrance. I was very grateful for the indoor swimming pool where I swam almost 2 km in 2 days while there.
Just stretching before swimming. Then for swimming itself I wore a swim cap
- outdoor pools – some are great for swimming, some are for kids, some for sitting down and relaxing in the hot water, or enjoying the bubbles and water jets
- toboggans – there’s quite a lot of tobogans and fun attractions
- I found vegan ice cream in one of the outdoor stalls but did not taste it. It was too cold and all I needed was hot thermal pool and not to freeze even more. But thumbs up for vegan sorbets and gluten-free ice cream.
- the outdoor area is huge. Corvinus looks more like a big resort, then just thermal spa or swimming pools. Honestly, I was shocked! When the weather is nice, there’s so much space for sunbeds, towels, sports, chilling etc.
- many outdoor swings – you know I cannot pass by a swing and not go swinging, right?
- kids’ playground looks very nice
- Thermal Corvinus is being renovated and will have even more outdoor pools and attractions. It’s impossible to get bored there, trust me :)
- cute white-green train going from the Thermal Corvinus to the train station through most of Velky Meder. It’s an opportunity for you to see more of the town while there. What I did was to hop on the train which took me to the train station when I was leaving Velky Meder.
After the first evening with other journalists and bloggers, I spent 2 days at the Thermal Corvinus alone. I am used to traveling on my own so it’s not a big deal. But to be honest, Thermal Corvinus is more of a family place. I also noticed some couples there but not sure if I saw anyone else there on their own, but me. So get ready for kids shouting and people chatting, as most probably the pools won’t be empty, no matter which time of the year you visit.
***They let me inside the Thermal Corvinus 1 hour before it was officially open so I could take photos without people. Otherwise on a normal day, the pools are rather busy.
Where to stay in Velky Meder
I spent 3 relaxing days in Velky Meder and stayed at Orchidea spa & wellness hotel just across the road from the Thermal Corvinus. It’s actually located only a minute walk from the thermal spa entrance I mentioned above. You just need to cross the parking lot so the location could not be more convenient. Most of the time I would walk just in my bikini with a bathrobe on from my room to the thermal spa :)
The Orchidea hotel is a 3* hotel which offers different kinds of rooms. I stayed in a simple, yet quite big room in the back of the hotel with a double bed, a fridge and wifi. It was all I needed as I was there to relax and chill at spa and swimming pools, and only spent the nights at the hotel sleeping. But they get a plus point from me for the open kitchen which was available for everyone who had room on the same floor where I stayed.
I have to say I was more than happy with buffet breakfast. They had loads of fresh fruit which is usually the only thing I eat for breakfast. And then I could also find something vegan to eat for buffet dinner, such as salads, potatoes, rice, pasta etc. Not much to choose from but there was always something to eat. I did not tell them I was vegan and did not ask for any special meals as on the trip around Zitny ostrov (the Rye island) I did before visiting Velky Meder we overate so much I was happy to eat less and simpler meals.
What I loved the most at the Orchidea hotel was their spa. Frankly, I did not expect to see such a beautiful sauna world. It was brand new when I visited and that was very visible, let me tell you. Everything shining, so clean and fully functioning.
What more could I ask for? Maybe enjoying the saunas on my own :) And it did happen as when I was there during the day, there was just an older couple in the jacuzzi next to the swimming pool, but no one with me in the sauna world. Yay! I felt like a Queen when I had a steam sauna, a Finnish sauna and a salt sauna all to myself. And all the tepidarium beds, too! Oh my! The whole sauna world is covered with little colorful tiles which reminded me of Morocco or somewhere Oriental, and left a really good impression on me. I think the spa is the best part of the Orchidea hotel.
I also had 2 spa treatments there: a half an hour foot massage and an hour full body massage. Both were awesome, indeed! I so needed a massage after very busy and stressful weeks, you have no idea. The massage was so relaxing that I almost fell asleep. The masseuse did not speak during the massage which I really appreciated. It was easier to switch off my mind and let everything go. Another plus was that the massage prices are very good at Orchidea hotel. Not too expensive at all, but on the other hand very affordable.
TIP: Not sure if to visit my home country? The following 10 reasons will convince you to visit Slovakia, I am sure ;)
Thanks for a lovely stay. For more information about this area, check Zitny ostrov website. For now it’s in Slovak but hopefully soon they will add also the English version :)
Mai
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wow! This place looks posh. Though I haven’t been to Meder I find it comforting. Surely a great place to unwind.
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Yes, thank you, great for chilling, indeed ;)
David Rainey
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Looks and sounds like a good place to relax and recharge. Thanks for sharing.
Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler
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Thanks for reading ;) Yes it is very relaxing over there :)