Polski
Spas on Steroids: 9 Billion Koruna for the Czechs and Wooden Thermal Baths Near Kraków
This week in the spa and wellness industry is a lesson in scale. The Czechs are preparing a billion-crown transformation of a historic spa town into a regional medical tourism hub, while near Kraków, wooden thermal bath structures inspired by the Carpathian Foothills are rising from the ground. Two projects, two scales, one direction: spas and thermal baths are ceasing to be mere places of relaxation and becoming serious medical and tourism infrastructure.
01 · Medical Tourism
Our Czech Neighbor Thinks Big: CZK 9 Billion for Lázně Kynžvart [1]
The Vision Architecture studio has unveiled a concept for the renewal of Lázně Kynžvart, formerly known as Bad Königswart – a historic spa town located between Mariánské Lázně and Karlovy Vary. The project is estimated to be worth around CZK 9 billion, or roughly £318 million, making it one of the most ambitious wellness investments in the region.
The initiative, named "Bad Königswart 2030", envisions as much as 48,000 m² of medical complex space, with 1,200-1,800 beds and a concert hall seating 2,000 people. The concept rests on three pillars: medical tourism, historical heritage, and gastronomy, aimed at attracting guests looking for more than just treatments – but also an authentic atmosphere and the spa culture of Central Europe.
For now, the project remains at the concept stage and still faces a series of financial and legal analyses before construction can begin. Still, it's worth keeping an eye on – such a large neighboring player in the medical tourism segment is both an inspiration and potential competition for Polish spas, which have spent years pursuing similar positioning.
02 · Thermal Spa Architecture
Termy Lusina: Małopolska's Wooden Answer to the Medical Spa Trend [2]
While the Czechs are still sketching out their concept, near Kraków in Lusina the investment is already under construction. The Termy Lusina Medical SPA complex will span 17,000 m² and house eight pools – including the WaveRocket artificial river and an infinity pool – along with an 80-person saunarium. There will also be a purely therapeutic section: a zone with sulphur water and a saline pool with a graduation tower, placing the project firmly within the same "medical" trend as the Czech concept described above.
Architecturally, the building takes the form of four connected volumes made of glued laminated timber, their shape echoing the landscape of the Carpathian Foothills. Panoramic glazing is meant to open the interiors up to their surroundings, while purpose-designed overheating protection systems will address the challenges that come with large glass surfaces on sunny days. The opening is planned for 2028.
This is further proof that Polish investors in the thermal baths segment are increasingly bold in embracing regional design over generic, "safe" architectural solutions – and are more and more often thinking about therapeutic function alongside recreation.
Summary
Summary
Both projects – the Czech and the Polish – show that the future of spas and thermal baths lies at the intersection of medicine, architecture, and tourism. If you're interested in these trends and the investments and technologies behind them, join us at the Spa & Wellness Tech trade fair – it's exactly where architects, investors, and suppliers of pool, sauna, and water treatment technology meet to discuss the next big openings.
Invitation
From billion-crown spa concepts to wooden thermal bath complexes – projects like these are born from encounters between architects, investors, and technology suppliers. Visit the Spa & Wellness Tech trade fair and talk to experts in thermal baths, saunas, and water treatment who are behind investments like these. See live the solutions that could show up in Polish and European spas tomorrow.
Spa & Wellness Tech 2026Footnotes
[1] spabusiness.com — https://www.spabusiness.com/wellness-news/Architects-create-CZK-9-billion-wellness-destination-concept-for-Czech-spa-town-Lazně-Kynžvart/363662[2] portalsamorzadowy.pl — https://www.portalsamorzadowy.pl/malopolskie/inwestycje/w-polsce-buduja-niezwykle-termy-osiem-basenow-i-17-tys-m-kw-atrakcji,676145.html