Local traditions and luxe pampering take center stage at the Four Seasons Hotel Prague, which recently introduced its new Ava Spa. A fitting name for the healing haven, ava is the Celtic word for water and is used in the names of many Czech rivers, including the Vltava River, which flows past the hotel. In fact, the spa’s five treatment rooms are named after the Litava, Morava, Otava, Svitava, and Vltava Rivers. The Vltava, a large couples’ suite, comes complete with a rhassoul and a bath with views of Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge. Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the spa’s sauna, steam bath, and vitality pool with a waterfall and massage jets. “We used natural materials and specially designed furnishings and incorporated distinct features from the hotel, such as characteristic ceiling arches, tiling, and stenciling,” says general manager René Beauchamp.
In addition to the lavish setting, the spa also offers exclusive and high-end product lines and treatment options. It is the only spa in the Czech Republic to offer Sodashi, a chemical-free Australian line, and Swiss Perfection, a high-tech and high-touch Swiss skincare line. Incorporating water-based treatments like its name implies, Ava Spa also features Omorovicza products, which are based on mineral-rich Hungarian water. “What makes Ava Spa unique to Prague is our select line of cosmetics and signature treatments,” says spa manager Claudia Santos. “We are especially proud of our spa rituals, which include purifying baths, detoxifying massages, and age-defying facials.” Treatment highlights include the Karlovy Vary Inspiration ($132, 30 minutes), a traditional Czech-inspired bath enhanced with essential oils and flower petals, and La Boheme Massage ($169, 50 minutes; $252, 80 minutes), a head-to-toe massage inspired by the Czech national tree and using linden blossom oil. “I believe Ava Spa will become a destination for relaxation in Prague for both our hotel guests and locals alike,” says Beauchamp. “We are proud to have been able to combine such modern services and amenities with local tradition.”