INTRO
Thermal spa destinations reached their classic, paradigmatic form in the 19th century. At the turn of the century, most spa resorts sprung up like mushrooms on the border between the Czech Republic, Bavaria and Saxony. The epicentre, today known as the West Bohemian Spa Triangle, comprises Marianske Lazne, Františkove Lazne and Karlovy Vary. All three spa towns rank among UNESCO’s eleven Great Spa Towns of Europe.
Karlovy Vary is the oldest spa destination of the three. It began developing in the 14th century and was bestowed with the title of a resort town as early as 1508. The Czech king Karel IV named the town the King’s City in 1370. Originally a tiny hamlet, Karlovy Vary began swiftly developing in the narrow valley of the Tepla River, which has shaped the image of the spa town. The river is considered the fundamental urbanistic backbone of the town. The city centre grew around the Vridlo thermal spring (Vridlo means hot spring), now displayed in a modernist building on the main promenade. The thermal resort continued expanding throughout the town’s history. By 1715, the town was home to 60 thermal resorts. At that time, the spa town was considered one of the most important in the region. Still, the zenith of Karlovy Vary did not come until the Belle Epoque between 1870 and 1914, when the town was renowned as the most illustrious spa tourist outpost in Europe. In that era, affluent gentry and aristocrats from far and wide converged here to indulge and meet in this centre of entertainment. The Belle Epoque also gave rise to neoclassicist architecture, which is one of the reasons tourists from across the world flock here year-round. In Karlovy Vary, landmark political summits often eclipsed bathing in thermal water. The list of historic events hosted by Karlovy Vary is as long as the list of renowned names who visited. That is unsurprising, however, given the town had the right to organise fairs since the Middle Ages. Throughout its development, Karlovy Vary adapted to the needs of numerous guests, still one of the city’s regular features. Events, concerts, festivals and congresses have always marked this spa town steeped in history. They still distinguish Karlovy Vary today and render it one of the oldest meeting towns in Europe.
NEED TO KNOW IN 2023
In part due to the film festival and in part because of grand political summits, a new congress centre opened in Hotel Thermal in 1977. It is the largest congress centre in the West of the Czech Republic. Home of the film festival, the congress centre proved ideal for scientific congresses, too. The congress centre can host events where parallel halls are required, and its space for accompanying exhibitions spans 750 square metres. Separate entrances enable plenty of room for branding, while the red carpet has become ingrained in the venue’s look. The grand auditorium, the biggest hall, can accommodate 1148 attendees. Retro brutalism in its most prominent form has charm in the congress centre. In addition, several congress centres in other hotels across the town can host grand events. Karlovy Vary is home to 91 hotels with 4 and 5 stars, offering 5,760 hotel rooms. The offer is enriched by 35 unique venues that cover the entire spectrum of architectural styles. Karlovy Vary thus belongs to meeting destinations in the L category – destinations that can host up to 2,000 attendees.
The town seems ever buzzing with life and new developments. Not a month goes by without news of yet another landmark renovation. This year, boutique hotels, such as the Saxonia Boutique Spa Hotel, seem to be the fad. Throughout the year, though, hotels compete whose renovation will gain more publicity. There is always something new and exciting in the town. Even town parks are renovated regularly. They offer an ideal space for outdoor events in the warm summer months. The Carlsbad Convention Bureau connects the enticing array of hotels, venues and services. Unfortunately, they have not been active lately. Given the extraordinary potential of Karlovy Vary, they could be more proactive, as such an illustrious town deserves an apt promotion. Only the sky is the limit in towns like Karlovy Vary, as history has shown. In Casino Royale, James Bond certainly knew how to reach such heights.
DID YOU KNOW?
Staying in thermal spa towns used to last several months. That is why Karlovy Vary had a vibrant cultural and social life. World-renowned composers, including Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Wagner, Paganini, Čajkovski, Schumann, Lizst and Grief all stayed here. Antonin Dvorčak even held the premiere of his symphony From the New World in the local theatre in 1884. In his honour, the town organises a classical music festival every September. Writers, too, were fond of the town. Goethe, Schiller, Gogolj, Puškin, Turgenev and Dostoevski were regulars. Recently, celebrities have been flocking to the town’s film festival. Either as guests or actors on film sets, John Malkovich, Robert de Niro, Antonio Banderas, and other stars alike walked the town’s streets. In the epicentre of the film festival, Hotel Thermal’s cafe boasts a selection of their photos.
BEST INCENTIVE IDEA
Paradise for golf enthusiasts
Besides its thermal springs, Karlovy Vary is famed for two golf resorts with eighteen holes (Golf Resort Karlovy Vary, Astoria Golf Club Cihelny) and two golf resorts with nine holes (Golf & Racing Klub Karlovy Vary, Golf Club Haje). In addition, three interior golf courts are ideal in cold winter months. Perhaps the most known is the Golf Resort Karlovy Vary championship course, one of the oldest in Europe. Experienced personnel will prepare intriguing programmes for smaller, boutique groups on the golf course. Beginners will be acquainted with the game of golf through educational courses and a fun competition in putting. Golf Resort Karlovy Vary can also organise demanding corporate gold tournaments, where they privatise the entire golf course. As expected, the venue provides excellent catering services. The legendary Grand Hotel Pupp, renowned for its expertise in catering, ensures every dish is mouthwatering. The royal game of golf seems an apt sport for the royal spa town. A friendly competition with your colleagues or coworkers can enrich your stay.
BEST KEPT SECRETS
The legendary James Bond film Casino Royale was filmed in 2006 and set in Montenegro. In reality, they did not film at picturesque locations in Montenegro but in front of stunning buildings in Karlovy Vary. Scenes in Casino Royale were filmed in the recently-renovated Zander Hall in the Imperial Spa. The legendary Mill Colonnade, built in 1882, replaced the archetypal Montenegrin train station. A prominent backdrop in the film was the main thermal avenue, Lázeňská Street, and the Hotel Pupp, which represented Hotel Splendide. A memorial plaque now adorns the hotel, inscribed with the name of James Bond from the film – Daniel Craig – and the year it was produced.
PERFECT GIFT
It seems no tourist goes home without bringing the typical spa cup for drinking thermal water. Visitors can pour the healthy water into their cups at all four collonades in the city. Lovers of alcoholic beverages will prefer to purchase the Becherovka herbal bitter, sold by vendors at every corner. We also suggest you visit the Museum of Becherovka, favoured by event organisers and attendees alike.
TOP EVENTS IN 2023
Spa season opening
(5 – 7 May 2023 )
W: www.karlovyvary.cz
International Film Festival Karlovy Vary
(30 June – 8 July 2023)
W: www.kviff.com
World Triathlon Championship
(9 – 10 September 2023)
W: www.triathlon.org
ESPA Congres and SPA-CE B2B workshop
(28 – 30 September 2023)
W: www.europeanspas.eu
FOODIES
In Karlovy Vary, you can taste all the nuances of tourist-focused cuisine: from classic Central-European desserts to excellent sushi, from vegan gastronomy to Czech traditional dishes that are hearty and full of flavour, and from fast food diners to fine-dining restaurants that deserve a Michelin star. Anywhere you go, you can taste superb beef tartare that pairs brilliantly with locally brewed beer. The first Czech brewery dates back to 993, and the Czech Republic is among the leading countries in beer consumption per capita. Although opinions clash regarding the best beer in the country, most locals are sworn drinkers of Kynšperk beer, founded in 1595. Beer aside, you must try the super soft filled dumplings – knedliky. They are prepared with different fillings – bread, potato or bacon (spekové knedliky); some are also filled with fruit fillings (ovocné knedliky), usually plums (švestkové).
KARLOVY VARY IN A FEW WORDS
The oldest European thermal spa destination is also one of Europe’s oldest meeting destinations. Event organisers and attendees are lured to the city because of the incredible combination of natural, cultural and historical features. Karlovy Vary has the charisma of the most exciting meeting destinations in Europe. Still, the town’s patina-covered halls and rows of leather-padded chairs are somewhat dusty and need a promotional refresh. The town boasts everything that more famous cities do, and with some innovative marketing, the iconic thermal spa town could be a regional leader, as it has been in its rich past.
NOTE: The MTLG Destination Update is not a paid advertisement. The Karlovy Vary MTLG Destination Update was prepared based on a personal visit of Kongres Magazine’s assessor in October 2023. Based on the evaluation, Karlovy Vary will be evaluated according to the Meeting Experience Index methodology. The MTLG evaluation will be prepared at the end of November 2023.
