Wellness Stars Hotels Criteria

Feel good – High Quality Standards

Quality needs certain measurement criteria. Interviews with our guests and the permanent communication with our establishments guarantee that all WELLNESS STARS quality criteria reflect the relevant aspects of a spa holiday.

Basis for all 3-star categories are the following minimum requirements:

Nature and Environment
The establishment is peacefully situated, next to the countryside or adjacent to a park. There is no noise disturbance during day and night time. The establishment adheres to an environmentally conscious and natural management and an environmentally friendly purchasing procedure.

Service
Information about the complete spa offers is available on site. The guest is advised about advantages and benefits of each treatment. The chosen spa treatments can be invoiced on the room account. Guest satisfaction surveys are carried out at least once a year. In addition to the guest satisfaction surveys there are evaluation sheets for the spa area available. The spa area is open for the public at least 5 days a week. The spa offers can be booked year-round and daily arrival is possible.

Staff
Only qualified employees with a vocational qualification and all necessary additional trainings are working in the spa area. The qualified employees are regularly trained and visit skill enhancement courses.

Infrastructure and amenities
The interior design and amenities of the hotel comply with the 3-star standard of the German Hotel Classification. The spa area is accessible from all guest rooms.

Vital cuisine
Vital dishes are offered round the clock. Mainly fresh fruit and vegetable are used and regional and seasonal products are integrated. One vegetarian dish is offered every day.

Structure
The spa area consists of at least 2 divisions. The treatment division offers classical massages or beauty treatments, the sauna and relaxation area offers at least one sauna with the possibility to refresh and sufficient areas to relax and lie down.

Safety and technique
All maintenance actions inside the spa facility are precisely documented. An emergency bell or emergency telephones are available. If the pool is deeper than 1,35m a pool attendant is available. Special safety precautions for the use of solarium, sauna and steam bath are published. The floor covering is slip-proofed. Emergency exits are visible and accessible. Light tube changes in the solarium are announced.

Cleanliness
The spa area is controlled and if necessary, cleaned, at least three times a day. A daily basic cleaning is carried out. Bath robes and towels are available and will be changed daily upon request. The necessary cleaning material for solarium and gym is available.

Extract of the extensive quality criteria catalogue for WELLNESS STARS that shows the criteria which have to be adhered to by the hotels in the different star categories.

3 Star Medical Wellness Stars

• the well-being atmosphere can be sensed everywhere in the house
• less than 60 % of all guests are families
• more than 60 % of all guests are well-being orientated
• there is at least 1 active offer (Nordic Walking, water gymnastics, hiking, Qi Gong etc.)
• there is at least 1 type of sauna
• there are sufficient relax rooms and sufficient space to lie down with at least 15 lounge chairs

• there are at least 2 different types of massage and 3 different beauty treatments

• the treatment rooms for massages or fango/moor, Thalasso treatments are equipped with a washbasin or a shower and have a minimum size of 10 sqm, have at least 50 % daylight and sufficient possibilities for ventilation

• the complete spa and gastronomic division are non-smoking

• the hotel implemented an environmental management system and fulfills at least 6 ecological quality criteria

• the spa offers water or tea and fresh fruit for free

• the contact person for spa reservations and helpdesk is at least 6 hours a day available

• there is an active complaints’ handling procedure

4 Star Medical Wellness Stars

• the overall impression of the spa facilities have to fulfill at least the requirements to obtain an average of grade 2,5. Considered are: the visual overall impression, the quality and the condition of the amenities, the coloring and the ambiance, the materials used, the space allocation plan, special architectural features, the authenticity, the decoration, the fragrances and the cleanliness.

• the spa facilities offer a clearly identifiable unique selling proposition

• The spa area is directly accessible – without crossing the dining or conference area

• There are at least 2 different types of sauna

• The guests can choose between at least 2 active offers (Nordic Walking, water gymnastics, hiking, Qi Gong etc.)

• There is a fix contact person for the spa with a schedule

• The spa facility is open at least 6 days a week

• the spa area has at least 4 treatment rooms

• There is a swimming pool and a gym

• There are relaxing rooms with space for at least 30 lounge chairs

• There are at least 3 different types of massages, 1 relaxing/regeneration offer, 4 different beauty treatments as well as 2 offers for medical well-being

• There are at least 2 different actively promoted offers for special nutrition and dieting

• The aqua area is open at least 10 hours a day and the treatment area at least 6 hours a day.

• The guests get useful health and well-being advice for the normal course of life

5 Star Medical Wellness Stars

• the overall impression of the spa facilities have to fulfill at least the requirements to obtain an average of grade 1,5. Considered are: the visual overall impression, the quality and the condition of the amenities, the coloring and the ambiance, the materials used, the space allocation plan, special architectural features, the authenticity, the decoration, the fragrances and the cleanliness.

• regional elements and products are included in the spa offer

• the well-being philosophy is continuously employed in the gastronomic offer

• the spa facility is open 7 days a week

• The guests can choose between at least 3 active offers (Nordic Walking, water gymnastics, hiking, Qi Gong etc.)

• there is a gym or lesson room with daylight and fresh air ventilation equipped with professional workout machines

• a permanent trainer is available who explains the workout machines and recommends a personal workout plan

• upon request the guest gets a personal counseling interview in which the advantage of each spa treatment is explained

• there are sufficient relaxing rooms with space for at least 35 lounge chairs

• The aqua area is open at least 12 hours a day and the treatment area at least 8 hours a day

• Upon guest request the opening hours of the spa area can be expanded

• There is an indoor and an outdoor pool

• The treatment rooms have mainly daylight and fresh air ventilation

• The sauna area has a separate and closed outdoor area

• The whole facility has an outstanding guest service – quality level