The wellness portal thermencheck.com has announced the results of its annual public vote for 2025. With a total of 363.964 votes cast, the award marks a key benchmark for the popularity of Austria’s thermal spas.
From a field of 39 participating businesses, the Styrian Rogner Bad Blumau emerged as the overall winner for the tenth time. The facility, designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, secured gold status with 53.661 votes. The use of the Vulkania thermal spring, considered one of the most mineral-rich springs in the region, is a key factor in the hotel’s stable market position.
In second place is the Sole-Felsen-Welt spa in Gmünd, Lower Austria, which garnered 48.304 votes and was awarded the Silver Award. The facility benefits particularly from its focus on the Bad Ischl healing brine and a water surface area of over 1.000 square meters in the Waldviertel region. Third place, and thus the Bronze Award, went to the Asia Spa Leoben with 46.660 votes. This Styrian thermal spa combines Far Eastern architecture with a wide range of sauna offerings. In addition to these top spots, the Therme Nova Köflach was honored as the “Rising Star of the Year,” having increased its number of votes by more than 260 percent compared to the previous year.
Industry analyses underscore the economic relevance of these awards for Austrian health tourism. The wellness sector represents a key pillar of regional value creation, and such community voting specifically strengthens guest loyalty. Michael Semmler, Managing Director of New Mediacheck GmbH, interprets the high voter turnout as proof that spa visits are firmly rooted in Austrian leisure culture. The diversity of the award-winning establishments – from architecturally unique buildings to specialized brine baths – reflects the broad spectrum of the market, which is increasingly defined by qualitative differentiation.
The economic significance of thermal spa resorts extends far beyond mere bathing operations. They often serve as flagship businesses for the hotel and restaurant industries in their respective regions. While the Styrian Thermal and Volcanic Region maintains its leading position with two establishments among the top three, the Waldviertel region, with the success of its spa in Gmünd, solidifies its position as a key destination for health and wellness retreats. Experts point out that the continuous modernization of infrastructure and a focus on specific target groups remain crucial factors for long-term success in the highly competitive wellness sector.
