Budapest as city of therapeutic waters

The abundance of medicinal waters in Budapest is unparalleled even by international standards. The hot springs on the Buda side were used by the Celts and the Romans, and the name of Aquincum may also refer to the springs. The springs of various temperatures and therapeutic effects supply a daily volume of 70 million litres. 123 thermal and 400 mineral springs come from 14 sources. Sulphurous water comes from the bore well on the Margaret Island, most are calcareous therapeutic waters (Dagály, Gellért, Lukács, Rác, Rudas, Széchenyi and Császár Baths), salty is the spring of the Pesterzsébeti Bath, while that of the Csillaghegyi Bath is a simple hot water spring. The water of the swimming pools is mainly supplied by these springs, therefore medicinal baths and swimming pools are listed together below. Those who like water, swimming and sunbathing can choose from among twenty places. Hotels which offer luxury accommodation and medical treatment are:
Hotel Aquincum*****, Thermal Hotel Helia****, Thermal Hotel Margitsziget****, Gellért Hotel****
 

Gellért Hotel
 Photo taken by Kollanyi Gyula for Hotel Gellert.
 

The Gellért today remains as a famous spa-hotel. The glass-roof of the indoor "bubbling-bath " swimming pool can be opened in fine weather. In the park of the Hotel there is another swimming pool with artificial waves and several warm-water pools. 

The baths have a balneotherapeutical section where a choice of several treatments may be undertaken with medical supervision.

Grand and Thermal Hotel Margitsziget

Roof-garden with a pool on top! This is something you will not find at many places!

Budapest's Margitsziget (Margaret Island) where the thermal waters were brought to the surface in 1886, has been long established as a therapeutic spa of renown with totally natural, curative thermal waters, a uniformly pleasant climate and a magnificent, mid-Danube location, together with a full range of the most modern medical equipment.

The medical waters enter the hotel's hydrotherapy equipment at a temperature of 70 °C (158 °F) and is cooled down to 34 °C (89 °F), 36 °C (91°F) and 40 °C (101°F) while maintaining the active curative ingredients.

Thermal Hotel Helia

Indoor swimming-pool (17,5x7,8 m, 26-28 °C/79-82 °F), thermal baths (7,8x5,3 m, 32-34 °C /90-93 °F; 5,3x5,3x3,1 m, 36-38 °C/97-100 °F), Jacuzzi, original Finnish saunas, steam baths, fitness room, sun terrace, solarium, massage, gymnastics.

Hotel Ramada Plaza

The essential element of the water is sulfate. The mildly concentrated solution does not have the typical offensive sulfuric odor. The remaining minerals and gaseous elements are efficacious both in hydrotherapy and in treatments including drinking the mineral water.
 

Thermal hotels outside Budapest

The seven-story spa hotel has 218 double rooms (also for disabled and non-smokers) and 6 suites. 

All rooms are equipped with French balcony, bathroom/toilet, IDD phone, radio, SAT- TV and minibar.