1 March , 2016.

Am spending five relaxing nights at The Thermia Palace Hotel,Piestany,Slovakia.Two or so years ago a well respected New York newspaper,The New York Times,I think,published a list of ten best places in the world to lose weight. The Thermia Palace ,to my disbelief, was in the seventh place.My most favourite spa in the whole wide world the seventh best place to lose weight,cant be,judging by the most wonderful feasts they serve! I go there to indulge,not to dispose of the extra pound or three. Arrived yesterday late morning,immaculate room with a massive TV set and a bed oh so beckoning. But no,the first thing you must always do when you come here,is to get your time plan,the schedule of procedures you will enjoy during your stay. Having been here many times already, I know what I like and enjoy the most, so it is easy for me to add extra treatments.To a newcomer I would advise-wait until you have tried something, and if you like it,ask for more. Here you must forget your inhibitions. My very good friend has never had a massage in her life and adamantly refuses to disrobe in front of a strange person, unless it is a doctor or a nurse.No amount of persuading would make her change her mind. And she is a university graduate. So what is it that makes me come here time and time again? Where do I start? The hotel is a beautifully renovated,art-nouveau gem ,built in 1912,as the brochure says. It is 5-star establishment. The food is second to none,the breakfast one of the TWO best I have ever had -the second in a hotel Bauer in Venice,where I had croissants that no-one else has bettered and this gives Bauer a slight edge,because I LOVE croissants. But do not expect any fancy footwork as far as the food is concerned,at The Thermia.No embellishments on your plate,no tiny morsels you need a magnifying glass to find,or sauces you do not know the name of. You get superbly prepared meals from the best ingredients. The Thermia is immaculate,every nook and cranny spotless.This is the only hotel, where I do not clean the drawers with a wet tissue before unpacking,everywhere else,including every ship I have been on, I clean before absolutely anything goes in. The treatments are superlative. This five night stay offers 8 procedures. The cost-680 euros. I am paying for 4 nights, the fifth night is gratis. A super duper deal. I have already been pampered and my body feels relaxed, skin soft.