Family spa at Domaine du Hirtz – Mother-daughter break

My summary

The Domaine du Hirtz in Wattwiller

Wattwiller is a pretty village near Cernay, north-west of Mulhouse, on a mountainside on the Route des Vins. Here you’ll find the Fondation François Schneider, a contemporary art center dedicated to water, and the famous Wattwiller waterworks.

It is also here, in the Vosges forest, that the Domaine du Hirtz is hidden. This 3* eco-tourism residence, a former vacation camp that was taken over, renovated and reopened in 2015, is located in Hirtzenstein, a place appreciated by the locals: from here hikes start to several spots in the Vosges.

During a seminar in January, I saw that the Nordic SPA was offering a parent-child complicity package. I thought, right away, “This is for me and my chick!” I’d never seen one anywhere else in my previous wanderings.

I call the hotel to book (you have to make an appointment as there’s a massage included in the package) and, the same day, I surprise her for her 7th birthday.

“But Mom, what is a SPA?!”

Of course, the SPA is usually for grown-ups. My little girl is going to discover that the SPA is too good! And the Nordic SPA of the Domaine du Hirtz is no exception to the rule. Decorated in the style of a mountain chalet, it offers many ways to relax.

On the first level there is a hammam, a sauna, a rest area and a shower. Classic, you will say? Not so much: you can choose between a Nordic shower (a real wooden bucket of cold water), 4 types of rain or a more traditional shower with massage jets. There is also a bed for exfoliation after the hammam for those who wish to do so. Outside, great bonus: here is the first Jacuzzi!

On the first floor of the chalet, there is a very special “mineral space”: infrared seats to relax the back muscles, a salt wall and Himalayan salt vapors for the respiratory tract. “Mommy, is this real salt?” “Yes dear”. Given her doubtful look, I don’t know if we managed to convince her! There’s also a sanarium, which isn’t as hot as a sauna, a second rest area and, above all… the outdoor area!

A suspended footbridge (so cool!) leads to a swimming SPA and a second hot tub, as well as a transparent “relaxation bubble” with a wood stove in winter. All this under the trees and with the birds singing… A real haven of peace! In addition, the owner has planned an extension with a course with different facilities in the forest. All of this will be wheelchair accessible, as will the rest of the facility.

The Domaine du Hirtz parent-child package

When we arrived at the Domaine du Hirtz at 2:30 pm, we were given a bag with a bath sheet, a bathrobe, a bottle of water (Wattwiller, of course!), a towel to sit in the facilities and slippers. In short, apart from your bathing suits, a shower gel and a brush, you don’t have to bring anything else. everything is provided, even the cotton pads to remove make-up and the hair dryer!

We started with a duo massage in a second cottage adjoining the first. My little girl was over the moon and so relaxed. I have rarely seen her with such a big smile from ear to ear! In addition, the oil smelled delicious…

Then it’s open-SPA for 4 hours (i.e. access to all facilities). A person from the Nordic SPA will show us around and explain to us which facilities are compatible with children, so that we can manage our one-on-one time as well as possible. Jacuzzis are clearly the preference of the lady! We roam, as the mood takes us.

We enjoy unlimited drinks from the SPA (flavored water and green tea), dried fruits and sweets at our discretion, served in the Jacuzzi. In short, we are really pampered!

It’s worth noting that only a few of us were lucky enough to be in the Nordic SPA, which was ideal for making the most of it. Just to be together for this special moment was a pleasure in itself!

But now it’s time to leave. We got dressed and left with some wonderful memories… I think my little girl told me at least 10 times that she’d had a great afternoon! Did it make you want to give it a try?