Spoilt

A visit to an average sort of sauna complex. Average as in ...? I really wouldn't know. 

Recent sauna developments mostly ensure focussing on elaborate soaking paradises, with customers begging for choice (which next sauna?), while the business model is meant to keep the guest as long as possible inside the complex: all the more turnover from drinks/food tab.

So average is not that.

There was a time when Thermen Goirle in central Noord-Brabant would have been the apex of sauna entertainment. However the 30+ years site has failed to stay ahead of the curve. And it's beginning to show.

There is this though from Dutch language newspaper BN De Stem (11 Sep. 2022) which announces that past management is stepping down in favour of their offspring: new investment is on its' way.

An interview with the management (in Dutch) with highlights of the sauna complex:

Pass

So what's on offer? 

In past times, it was no surprise that the Thermen is located next to a sports complex. The parking area is a bit confused, but the entrance is clear. A warm welcome ensues.

On to the sizable changing rooms. 

Then it's an illogical move via the restaurant to the sauna complex itself. The shower station is also not logically placed.

From here you are spoilt for choice. 

Adjacent there's the slightly coolish swimming pool, which also heads outside. There is a jacuzzi here and there, then onward in the hall, where there are a number of saunas (Finnish, a Himalayan rock sauna) and steam rooms. At the very end is the largest sauna where infusions take place. 

In the garden again an ambient temperature pool, and a beautiful panorama sauna. Obviously it's very well set for sunny weather. Which it wasn't, late April.

The restaurant serves up some nice dishes, though the health craze (vegan / vegatarian) is yet to arrive here, it seems. 

We had 2 meals, one a long wait, the other rather fast.

In one of the rest rooms, we participated in a singing bowls ceremony, a daily (?) addition to the Aufguss menu.

Notes

Other thoughts?

Google gives it 4.4 stars from 1000+ reviews. 

Virtually all Dutch, which sort of lines up with my experience of hardly hearing any non-Dutch. Experiences vary widely, maybe different expectations.

Facebook notes 4.7 stars (400+ reviews) while Tripadvisor: 4 strs from not yet 100 reviews. All Dutch

Blootgewoon reviewers (8) note 7.8 with emphasis on the average.

Saunagids shares an experience but the description seems more like an advertorial.

So our final marks? 

Seven? There is enough on offer to entertain yourself for a good day, however quite a lot has seen better times. The infusion ceremony was only so-so, turnaround in restaurant likewise.