Hotel Bad Horn – wellness hotel directly on Lake Constance

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When tens of thousands of fruit trees are in full bloom at the end of April, it is definitely spring – and thus perhaps the most beautiful season in Thurgau. The perfect time for a trip to Eastern Switzerland. Our base for the long spring weekend – the Bad Horn Hotel & Spa – actually knows how to score points in all seasons. Two steps away from the refreshing Lake Constance and located in the triangle between Arbon, Rorschach and St. Gallen, there is a lot to discover all around. I have picked out the highlights for you and show in the following lines how varied three days around the Hotel Bad Horn can be.

Bad Horn Hotel & Spa – wellness hotel on Lake Constance

After we had already made a stopover at the Bad Horn Hotel & Spa in spring 2019 as part of our bike tour around Lake Constance, this time we check in for two nights. Since our last visit, a lot has happened at the four-star superior hotel. In just under a year of construction, the east wing of the hotel was renovated between autumn 2019 and summer 2020. In addition to 42 spacious rooms, space was also created for a lobby bar and a fine dining restaurant on the ground floor.

After spending the night in the western part of the spa area, which was built in 2010, this time we are allowed to take a closer look at one of the new Superior Emerald Suites. At first glance, the large window front with a view of Lake Constance catches the eye. Another eye-catcher is built into the panelled wall – the fireplace. And the effect fire blazing inside crackles almost as beautifully as a real campfire. The dark parquet floor and the carefully placed decorative elements reflect the maritime style that runs like a red thread through the hotel.

Ostschweizer Frühlingshighlight: Bluescht-Velotour

After a first quick look, the wonderful spring weather pulls us outside. The weather forecasts for the weekend are pretty mixed. Every minute of sunshine wants to be used. We have reserved two of the hotel’s own e-bikes for the Bluescht bike tour for the afternoon. The Bsht bike tour leads along existing Switzerland Mobility routes in around 36 kilometres through the blooming landscape of Arbon via Romanshorn over the Oberthurgau and back. The route can also be started directly in Horn as a round trip.

Since we already know the area relatively well, this time we will concentrate primarily on cycling and the apple trees in full bloom. For those who are traveling in this area for the first time, I recommend planning a stop or two. The bike tour leads past both the MoMö and the Saurer Museum in Arbon. The moated castle of Hagenwil is also not to be missed. And if your stomach growls on the way, I can recommend a stop at the Wunderbar in Arbon or the Gastwirtschaft zum Dornhof in Steinebrunn.

Key data of the Bscht bike tour

On the following map you can see the route of our version of the Bluescht bike tour. The route is 38 kilometers long and includes an elevation gain of 380 meters. It took us just under 2.5 hours with e-bikes, including a stop for refreshments in Steinebrunn.

Fine Dining im Restaurant Wave

However, you should definitely save some appetite for your return to Bad Horn. With the “Al Porto” and the “Wave”, the hotel has two convincing restaurant concepts up its sleeve under head chef Christian Göpel. For the first evening, we have reserved a table at the “Wave”. The restaurant, which has been awarded 14 GaultMillau points, is located on the ground floor of the newly built east wing and opened in July 2020. Here you can choose between a tasting menu or carefully curated à la carte dishes. We opt for the tasting menu and feast our way through six excitingly “composed” – Asian-inspired – creations. Definitely a culinary address on Lake Constance that should be remembered!

Art tour of St.Gallen

The next morning we are greeted by a cloudy sky. We know this from our last stay. But while last time we had no choice and continued to pedal along the Lake Constance cycle path through pouring rain, today we are happy about the opportunity to start Saturday without a guilty conscience with the extensive “zmörgälä” in all comfort. The only question that remains to be answered is how we design a bad weather program. The options are manifold: a detour to the Altenrhein Aviation Museum, a visit to the Forum Würth in Rorschach or a stroll through the old town streets of Arbon?

My choice is the St. Gallen Art Tour. The six-kilometre-long walk takes you from St. Gallen train station to the city’s art hotspots; In addition to the Kunstmuseum St. Gallen, the Museum im Lager, the Lokremise and the Kunsthalle, there is also art in architecture or, of course, the red “City Lounge” by Pipilotti Rist and Carlos Martinez to discover.

Wellness afternoon at the Smaragd Spa – Day Spa at Lake Constance

Back at the hotel, we take advantage of the hazy weather for a few relaxing afternoon hours at the Emerald Spa. The 1,500^m2 wellness area extends over two floors. The sauna area, salt spa and the private spa suites are located in the basement. A special feature: Through the “portholes” of the sauna area, you can watch the fish swim by, depending on the water level.

One floor above is the indoor pool (and fitness area). This is connected to the outdoor whirlpool and the pier. Actually, I had made up my mind to swim a few strokes in the lake. But the almost 11° water temperature seemed a bit fresh to me. Hard-boiled minds don’t let this stop them and refresh themselves after a sauna session in Lake Constance.

Enjoyable end of the day at Al Porto

After an all-round perfect day of bad weather, we head for the “Al Porto” this evening. The main restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. The dishes have a Mediterranean touch, with one or two Asian touches mixed in here as well. In addition, there were seasonal special cards – such as the asparagus menu now in spring. And admittedly, that got me into a bit of a frenzy. As fine as the “Spaghetti Monk’s Beard” sounds, you simply can’t say no to Rhine Valley asparagus, can you? Either way – I give two thumbs up for both the menu and the casual-casual ambience.

On the Witzweg from Heiden to Walzenhausen

On the third day, the weather is still mixed, but at least it shouldn’t rain anymore. Today we take the cogwheel railway from Rorschach to Heiden up into the hills of the Appenzellerland. Various hikes can be undertaken from Heiden. For example, we have already described the tour along the Appenzellerland Cultural Trail to the Gasthaus zum Gupf here on the blog. Today we are heading in the opposite direction, following the “Witzweg” via Wolfhalden to Walzenhausen.

With a length of 8 kilometres and a panoramic route including beautiful panoramic views over Lake Constance to the Pfänder, the theme trail is the perfect distance for a leisurely Sunday hike. The 40 or so joke stations contribute to the entertainment, but in my opinion are not the decisive reason for the hike (maybe I just don’t understand the Appenzell humor).

From Walzenhausen, a cogwheel railway takes you down to Rheineck. And if the water level is high enough, the last stage from Rheineck back to Rorschach can be combined with a boat trip through the nature reserve of the Old Rhine. Alternatively, you can take the S-Bahn like we did. At the beginning of May, the water level usually does not allow boat trips.

Key data of the hike Heiden – Walzenhausen

Starting point	Heiden railway station (790 m above sea level)
Reachability	accessible by public transport
Length	7.7 kilometres
Elevation gain	↗ 256 m 374 m ↘
Duration	2:15 p.m.
Destination	Walzenhausen (railway) (670 m above sea level)
Catering	Fire pit Klus (picnic) – unfortunately there are currently no pubs along the way

Practical tips for your time-out in the hotel directly on Lake Constance

• The accommodation prices at the Bad Horn Hotel & Spa vary depending on the room category and season and start with an early bird discount of around CHF 220 for an overnight stay in a double room with breakfast and wellness access.
• Alternatively, it is possible to book various packages (from the Emerald Day Spa to the Boater’s Weekend and “Lazy Sunday”).
• During the Bregenz Festival, the Hotel Bad Horn also offers an exclusive festival package. The special feature: for the outward and return journey from Bad Horn to the festival, you can board the hotel’s own motor yacht “Emily” and be spoiled with culinary delights.
• The Bad Horn is not only located directly on the Lake Constance cycle path, but is also a great place to walk from Rorschach and Arbon along the waterfront promenade to the hotel.
• You can find more regional excursion tips here: 10 great excursion destinations and experiences in Thurgau

 

Here you can find more beautiful wellness hotels in Switzerland.