A nation fond of swimming and wellness, Germany boasts many pool, spa and sauna facilities, in addition to arguably three world-class water parks.
Located at Brandenburg outside Berlin, Tropical Islands is a huge facility located inside a former Zeppelin hanger. The building alone is a showstopper. Since 2019, Rulantica has offered Europa-Park guests the opportunity to step inside a Nordic-themed water world.
Yet for sheer variety of slides, saunas and relaxation opportunities, Bavaria’s Therme Erding is untouchable, spanning an area of 185,000 square metres. With around 1.8 million annual guests, it’s also comfortably the country’s busiest water complex.
A water park and so much more
Located north of Munich, outside the town of Erding (home of the famous Erdinger Weissbier), Therme Erding comprises five key areas.
Most popular is the Galaxy Slide World. The indoor water park debuted in 2007 and features 19 intertwined attractions of varying intensity, housed beneath a 25m high, 60m diameter retractable domed roof.
Added seven years later was the adjacent South Seas-inspired wave pool. Covered by a 2,600 square metre glass roof, the temperature inside is a constant 34°C. As swimmers experience waves of five different strengths and up to 2 metres in height, they are overlooked by real palm trees and the galleon-like facade of Hotel Victory. Close by there are bubble loungers, massage jets and private lounges.
The hotel’s 128 rooms offer a choice of nautical and palace-like interiors. Meanwhile, the 94-room Victory Guesthouse opened in 2016. This was a big year for Therme Erding, as the facility not only made a highly successful entry into the short break market but also launched an outdoor water park extension.
It’s this area that really comes alive in summer with its many sun loungers and beach-like relaxation areas. This is in addition to a swim-up bar, four whirlpools, a crazy river and eight slides.
In total, Therme Erding’s 27 indoor and outdoor slides span 2.7km in length. The majority were supplied by wiegand.waterrides, a leading water rides and attraction provider.
Therme Erding’s spa roots
Before the arrival of all this water fun, Therme Erding functioned purely as a thermal bath facility. It is now home to the largest spa complex in the world. The 13,363 square metre area comprises 27 ‘textile-free’ saunas and steam baths.
Ranging from 50 to 100°C, experiences include everything from authentic Roman, Alpine and Finnish saunas to an observatory and even a bakery sauna. Bathing is available in a network of five outdoor and indoor pools. The central Champagne Pool is covered by a 56m diameter retractable roof.
Those that prefer to wear a swimming costume may gravitate towards the VitalOase (VitalityOasis). This bridges the water park and the main spa area and features seven saunas as well as whirlpools, sulphur pots and more. Meanwhile, the 34°C waters of the Vitality Pool are complemented by a terrace pool adjoining the Culinarium restaurant.
Together the water park and spa areas can accommodate up to 7,000 guests at a time.
Striking ‘liquid gold’ in Bavaria
The thermal water that is pumped into the majority of Therme Erding’s pools originates from the Ardeo spring more than 2km below ground. The sulphurous water source was discovered in 1983 by Texaco while drilling for oil outside of Erding.
Initially, a small thermal bath was created on-site. However, it was not until October 1999 that phase one of what we now know as Therme Erding opened to the public. Four years later, the Bavarian Ministry of the Environment officially recognised the water source, which contains both fluoride and sulphur, as a healing spring. Today the mouth of the spring can be viewed beneath a glass pyramid outside the VitaleOase.
The complex was built at a cost €225 million by the late Josef Wund, who also designed the German pavilion at the 2000 World Expo in Hannover. Faced with scepticism of his plans from local politicians, he and his son Jörg Wund decided to operate it themselves.
“After a few years, Mr Wund realised it’s more profitable to run a thermal waterpark than build one,” says Marcus Maier, Therme Erding’s general manager.
Wund Holding went on to develop smaller but similar facilities elsewhere in Southern Germany including Therme Bad Wörishofen, Badeparadies Schwarzwald, and Thermen & Badewelt Sinsheim, as well as Therme Euskirchen in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Josef Wund’s legacy
Nicknamed the ‘Bäderkönigs’ (Bath King), Josef Wund died in a plane crash in December 2017 at the age of 79. Ownership of Therme Erding and Bad Wörishofen, also in Bavaria, then passed to Jörg Wund, with Wund Holding retaining control of the other three.
Before his tragic demise, Josef entered into a partnership with the Vienna-based Therme Group, developer of Therme Bucharest. This is the organisation that has announced plans for well-being resorts in Toronto, Glasgow, Manchester, Bad Vilbel near Frankfurt and Incheon, South Korea.
Today the main spa/sauna area of Therme Erding accounts for around one-third (500-550,000) of its annual attendance. The water slides and attractions entertain between 1.2 and 1.3 million, about the same as Tropical Islands. Yet there is some overlap since combi-tickets are available. These are priced at €61, versus €46 for just the waterpark/VitaleOase.
Therme Erding’s total attendance for 2022 was expected to be between 1.5 and 1.6 million, since there were still capacity restrictions for the first few months of the year.
Therme Erding’s show-stopping slides and attractions
Notable slides and attractions within the Galaxy Slide World include the longest tube slide in the world, the 365m Magic Eye, as well a 67m speed slide on which guests can reach up to 72km/h. Others include the Black Mamba, Space Bowl and Wild River.
The outdoor attractions are anchored by the six-lane Rainbow Racer, but for many, the highlight of the entire water park is The Big Wave. This show-stopping hybrid stainless steel water slide was launched in 2019 and comprises two attractions from wiegand.waterrides, a Big Bang (funnel) and Sidewinder (halfpipe). At 180m long, this is currently the longest raft waterslide in Germany. With a maximum height of 18m and a top speed of 45 km/h, it delivers forces of up to 3G.
“The outdoor slides are a really good attraction,” says Maier. “Of course, when it is raining, more people go inside. But if you go to other thermal baths when the sun is shining, nobody is there.”
After a brief period of operation in December and subsequent fine-tuning, an indoor version of The Big Wave will be launched after Christmas. Named The Big Bang (pictured, top), it is about 80% of the size, without the Sidewinder section.
Stainless steel vs. fibreglass slides
With the exception of a few fibreglass (GFK) chutes, most of Therme Erding’s slides are of stainless steel construction, a signature feature of wiegand.waterrides.
“We are very content with Wiegand,” says Maier. “With GFK you always have to be careful because with the joints you can hurt yourself. Sometimes the slide control staff have to close the Black Mamba in the morning to make repairs. And it has to be dry to do them, so you can be waiting one or two days.”
Stainless steel is not without its flaws, however. “The steel gets very hot outside, which is a disadvantage, but it lasts for 100 years. I think we have a good mix of slides.”
Therme Erding was also one of the first waterparks to offer a virtual reality water slide experience, in the spring of 2018.
VR water slides
The VRSlide technology employed in Erding was provided by the US firm Ballast, whose team was accommodated on-site for one year to perfect the system. This was rolled out to two existing indoor slides.
The headsets use advanced AI to monitor each user’s position and automatically adjust their position within the VR experience. The real-time rendered content, therefore, enhances rather than overwhelms the rider.
Energy efficient waves
Thanks to a cost-effective wave system, guests can bob up and down almost all day long in Therme Erding’s wave pool. Developed by API Water Fun based on an original idea by Josef Wund, it works by pumping air into the water and sucking it back out again.
“A normal wave machine uses a lot of energy,” says Maier. “We pay about €5 for one hour of waves. In other parks, it’s about €30. So we have the waves running nearly all the time; we just make a break of 10 minutes every hour so no one gets seasick and for the benefit of the employees.”
The park’s crazy river is powered by a more rudimentary system using a boat motor. This delivers just the right amount of water flow. “If you make it too crazy, small children do not come,” says Maier.
In addition to the suppliers already mentioned, Therme Erding works with water technology specialist Atzwanger, whose systems are installed in 11 of its pools.
Holiday atmosphere
“The other water parks and spas in Germany are very small,” says Maier. “In my eyes, we are more an entertainment park, like Europa-Park or Phantasialand.”
At eight hours, the average length of stay is certainly longer than some water-based facilities.
What does Maier make of Europa-Park’s entry into the market with Rulantica? “They are learning fast,” he says. “I think Rulantica is better for theming, but people who have been to both tell us we are more like a vacation.”
In summer, the outdoor area comes alive. After sliding, swimming or riding the crazy river, guests can kick back on of many sun loungers or grab a drink from the swim-up bar, one of five available on site.
A four-drink limit minimises any unruly behaviour. Cashless wristband payment makes monitoring this possible. As is the case at many water parks, it’s also a convenient cash-free option for guests.
The adjacent stage area is the setting for Therme Erding’s regular festivals and events, which can attract up to 9,000 revellers. The more serene spa and sauna area tends to attract older guests, though not exclusively.
Whilst 75% of those who visit Therme Erding come from Germany, and 20% from Austria, the water destination is gaining a growing following from non-German speaking countries.
“We have been on French television, Czech Republic television, and even Chinese television. People are coming from more and more countries, including the United States.”
Therme Erding’s affluent audience
The two on-site hotels have totally transformed the business model of Therme Erding.
“Normally people stay one or two nights. Although we have some families who stay for four or five days,” says Maier.
At weekends, overnight guests travel 250km on average to enjoy the Therme Erding experience. With rooms priced from €250 to over €300 per night and waterpark/spa entry extra, the facility caters to a relatively affluent guest. That goes for day-trippers too.
“In Munich, there are eight or nine DAX [German stock market] companies; there are a lot of people who have a very good income. Also, I think if you are travelling from Hamburg, Switzerland, or Vienna, it’s a vacation or a once-in-a-lifetime experience. People like to spend money if it’s something special.”
Maier contrasts this to typical thermal baths where, “A lot of old people are coming, enjoying the spa, drinking one coffee and going home.”
Premium experiences
You don’t have to stay overnight to enjoy a little extra relaxation or splash the cash at Therme Erding.
In addition to the 4,500 free sun loungers spread throughout the facility, there are almost 100 private pods, loungers and spaces in the water park/wave pool areas alone. From ‘eggs’ to lodge-like chalets, there are daytime hideaways to suit every taste and budget. Therme Erding fans can even pay to have a plaque with their name on a palm tree!
The latest offering is 16 palm lounges close to the wave pool but away from the hustle and bustle below. This newly-created real estate in the treetops offers comfortable seating, a minibar and a Dyson ventilator for up to six guests per lounge. Meanwhile, four new Alm Chalets will be added over the winter.
The Therme’s team can’t build such offerings quickly enough, says Maier. “Our most expensive chalet has a whirlpool and costs €199 per day. And it’s always fully booked out.”
Yet the general manager doesn’t take things for granted. “I always used to say I have the safest job ever. When the pandemic came, I said I don’t know anymore. Now the guests are coming again, but you never know what the future brings.”
Rising costs and the pandemic
Inevitably: “The last three years have been very anxious for us all, and cost us a lot of money,” says Maier.
“We didn’t get much money from the government. Last summer [2021], we don’t make any profit. We were just running to pay our employees. We had days we let in just 2,500 people. And now the situation with energy costs is crazy.”
Ticket prices were raised by 25% in 2022 to account for an increase in costs, including staff and digital investments such as a new reservation system. Guests appeared to stomach it, says Maier.
“Everything is getting more expensive, so they pay for it. But you cannot charge everything back to your guests because they are suffering too.”
New hotel rooms and cautious expansion for Therme Erding
Fresh hotel accommodation will be key to Therme Erding’s growth over the coming years. In 2022, Hotel Victory occupancy was 93%, and 85% at the guesthouse.
“Without corona, it would be 3 to 4% more,” says Maier. “We have now 500 to 600 beds. Europa-Park has about 5,000, Tropical Islands has 3,000, and Legoland [Deutschland] has 1,000. I think Therme Erding could have 1,500.”
An upgrade is planned to some of the spa facilities, following the addition of a new roof over the thermal baths in 2021. “The roof wasn’t holding the water and also the air conditioning was very old,” says Maier. “We invested about €5-6 million, but the new roof looks the same as the old one. You cannot really market that. But we are safe now for the next 10 to 15 years, and the air quality is better.”
What about waterpark expansion? “We do have plans to make a new Galaxy, because it is now 16 years old,” says Maier. “But imagine if we had built a new Slide World and then corona was coming. After these shocking years, Mr Wund told me it is better to make smaller steps. We will wait for another two to three normal years before we make the next really big investment.”
