For the perfect spa retreat, head to QC TermeMilano…
It’s Fashion season once again and that means hustle, bustle and, for some of us, lots of travel. Last season I was lucky enough to do the full European circuit – London, Milan and Paris. It was a busy time, packed with fashion events and hardly a moment to breathe! Yet in Milan, I found the perfect excuse to break away from the chaos of fashion week at one of the city’s finest hidden gems: QC TermeMilano.
Easily reachable on the metro via Porta Romana, QC TermeMilano is a spa haven like no other. Built out of the former public transport HQ, it is open until midnight most days. The spa is an oasis of hydro massage pools, waterfalls and sensorial baths and scattered throughout you’ll find over thirty spaces offering soothing treatments and practices that will enable you to unwind and relax.
Inside, a plethora of saunas, steam baths and salt rooms purify the skin. In one room you can even take a “rain bath” whilst lying on a marble bed. Further along the “wellness path”, chromotherapy sensory tanks and music therapy pools lull you to oblivion. Need to have a snooze while you’re there? Then head to the silent relaxation rooms where you can sleep, read or meditate in giant bird cages.
QC TermeMilano is a place that stimulates all the senses, which means the spa’s Olfactory is unmissable. Here you’ll discover an array of bespoke oils and fragrances to luxuriate in. Each complex fragrance is inspired by a moment in time and designed to evoke different emotions.
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Outside, cool and quirky features create a sense of fun and adventure. Here you’ll find many of the locals who visit in groups with friends and family after work or at weekends. This gives the place a sense of authenticity and community. The outdoor pool is surrounded by art deco walls. As a nod to its transportation history, a Milanese tram has also been cleverly converted into a wellness tram – the only bio-sauna in the world housed within a tram. A unique must-see!
But, I’ve saved the best until last. In Italy, food is everything. After all, you can’t have a healthy mind and a healthy body without some good quality nourishment! My recommendation? Head to the spa in the evening. Between 7pm and 9pm it hosts a two-hour Aperitivo session. Now, most Aperitivo offers tend to be a variety of “light snacks”. Obviously, QC TermeMilano did not get the memo. Think a vast array of cured local meats, delicate wholefood bites served in cocktail glasses and a rainbow of tropical fruits. Not to mention all the prosecco you can drink. Yep, you read that right – free-flowing sparkles for a whole two hours. What’s more, the aperitivo is included in all evening tickets, which start at EUR42 for 5:30pm arrivals or EUR38 for 7:30pm arrivals. An absolute bargain considering this includes access to all spa facilities and you can stay for as long as you want!
The aperitivo is, in my opinion, the best part of the evening and a somewhat surreal experience when shared with a medley of people in white fluffy bathrobes. Quite the quintessential image of historical roman bath culture! One word of advice – try to go right on time at 7pm as tables fill up quickly. Many visitors enjoy a light meal, head back to the pools then return a little before 9pm for a final prosecco top-up. The setting for this is also beautiful. Continuing with the art deco theme, meals are served in a beautifully tiled hall with low-hanging lights. This opens into a conservatory adjoining the outdoor pool, where you can also enjoy a variety of floral flavoured mineral waters to detox after indulging yourself.
QC TermeMilano is, without doubt, the best spa I’ve ever been in. As a walk-in spa, it’s as good as it gets, since you don’t need to go through all the planning of a normal getaway. You can just turn up a pay on the door. Of course, you can always purchase gift vouchers, membership passes for regular access or additional wellness treatments like couples massages or facials. Bridal packages are reasonably priced, at EUR85 including a Rhassoul and floral water mask, foot treatment, and scented face, body and hair massage with argan oil and jojoba. The spa also takes group bookings that can be personalized with add-ons like party beauty kits or an exclusive outdoor whirlpool for you and your gang with sparkling wine and fresh fruit for just EUR13 extra per person.
With Milan Fashion Week in full swing, this is the perfect respite from all the chaos. What are you waiting for?
