Water has long been harnessed to encourage physical and emotional

wellbeing. Across the world, and across centuries, water therapies

and facilities have contributed to creating wellness experiences that

provide lasting benefits.

At Peninsula Hot Springs we have over 30 globally inspired bathing

experiences to enjoy. Our most popular are listed below with

their discovered health benefits to both the body and the mind.

To complement your geothermal bathing we also offer a range of

additional experiences to enhance your wellness journey with us.

Please feel free to ask our friendly staff for further information.

Peninsula Hot Springs is classified

as a ‘true mineral spring’, with

dissolved solids measuring

over 3500 parts per million

(PPM), based on an assessment

conducted by the Institute of

Geological and Nuclear

Sciences in New Zealand.

What are thermal baths?

Thermal baths are pools of water with mineral properties at various extreme temperatures that aim to
recalibrate your body, relax your mind and recharge your spirit. To define the therapeutic action of a
bath, two important qualities are considered: temperature and chemical composition of the water.
Depending on the desired effect, several uses for thermal baths have been developed, which fall under
the category of hydrotherapy.

• Thermal hydrotherapy

Thermal hydrotherapy is the use of water at various temperatures to elicit specific physiological
responses in the body. Water is known to have important and medicinal properties which, along with
the enhanced effects of temperature, aid in improving digestion, blood circulation and muscle toning.
• Physical hydrotherapy

Physical hydrotherapy is the practice of physical exercises inside a pool. It helps physically injured
patients to execute these exercises with less pain by using the buoyancy of water to decrease their
physical impact.

• Chemical hydrotherapy

Chemical hydrotherapy consists of adding certain minerals or chemicals that are normally found on
natural hot springs, such as iron, lithium, sulphates, potassium, bicarbonic acid and calcium. Dissolved in
high temperature water, the water’s therapeutic effects increase, causing chemical reactions in the body
that enhance the healing and relaxing effects of hydrotherapy.

Other techniques

• Balneotherapy (mineral-medicinal water)

Historically performed in mineral hot springs, balneotherapy is the practice of bathing in mineral infused
water to treat certain illnesses and ailments. It is believed to promote healing by aiding in circulation,
accelerating detox and alleviating stress, and also treats various health conditions such as respiratory
disorders, high blood pressure and arthritis.

• Spa (non-mineral)

The word spa is an acronym for the Latin phrase Sanus Per Aquam, which translates to health through
water. Spa is also a small village in Belgium that is well known for its mineral hot springs, which is
probably where the concept originated from. A spa offers numerous alternative healing and relaxation
services such as hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, saunas and various types of massages.

A little bit of history

Water has been considered sacred, magical and medicinal since the beginning of mankind. Incorporated
by women in their beauty routines as well as numerous religions in their ceremonial practices and
rituals, water has been an important aspect of private and everyday life that can be traced to ancient
civilizations.
The first thermal baths were developed by the Greeks near natural hot springs and temples. They
believed in the supernatural properties of high temperature waters and its vapors, and prominent
philosophers such as Plato and Hippocrates praised the restorative effects of these waters in health,
based on the premise that illnesses and diseases were caused by imbalances of bodily fluids.

The Romans, however, are responsible for popularizing thermal baths and making it a social activity that
everybody could experience. Numerous public and private baths, known as balnae, were built all
throughout the Roman empire, making it a part of everyday life. Wounded soldiers benefited greatly
from thermal baths too, as they would often use them to treat wounds, relax and recover.

Benefits of thermal baths

Numerous studies have discovered multiple curative properties of thermal baths, which can help in
preventing and treating diseases related to muscles and joints, as well as post-traumatic and orthopedic
conditions. Hot water is a great muscle relaxant and can also hold much more dissolved solids than cold
and tepid water. On the other hand, cold water refreshes and reinvigorates the body, acts as a great skin
toner and aids in reactivation of blood circulation. They also help eliminate toxins and stimulate the
immune system, which is crucial for healing.

The AIRE Experience: relax mind and body

AIRE is an elegant candlelit spa tucked away in a 19th century textile factory building in Tribeca that
invites you to escape the hectic daily bustle to experience the healing and restorative effects of ancient
thermal baths. Inspired by Ottoman and Greco-Roman rituals, AIRE has numerous pools at varying
extreme and mild temperatures in their glowing underground chamber, a relaxation area, massages,
steam rooms and many other amenities, offering you an exquisite luxury for mind, body and soul like no
other spa does.

If you are up for the challenge, you can melt your stress and worries away in the Caladium (102ºF), then
invigorate yourself in the Frigidarium, with options of a Cold Bath (57ºF) or an Ice Bath (50ºF). For the
less adventurous, there is the warm yet relaxing Tepedarium (97ºF), which will still give you a soothing
and refreshing relaxation session. There is also the Balneum, which is propelled by a thousand jets, the
Laconicum steam room, where you can enjoy a marvelous session of aromatherapy, and the Flotarium,
which will give you a salty, levitating taste of bathing in the Dead Sea, followed by an exquisite massage.
AIRE also offers specialized baths for an extra luxurious experience: private baths enhanced in your
choice of cava or red wine (which you can also drink), olive oil, citrus juice or milk.

If you’ve enjoyed this article, you should read Aromatherapy: Benefits & uses.