We are publishing a series of reports by our staff physicians on curative spas.
Abano Terme, Italy.
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Abano Terme, near Padova, in Northeastern Italy, is picturesque spa town renown for its thermal waters.
The use of thermal baths for therapeutic purposes dates back to very ancient times (Paleoveneto, VII-VI century B.C.): thermae had a great importance in Roman times, but it is only during the last century that medical hydrology became a true science, and that, even though not always successfully, seems to have a lot to say in the field of rehabilitation. The use of the thermal waters of the Euganean Basin for therapeutic purposes include ripening, preservation and regeneration of thermal mud, bath therapy and inhalation therapies. The thermal therapies are word recognized and the mud is defined as a drug by the European Patent Office.
See Appendix for Thermal Water Composition.
This Editor has chosen to stay at the
President Terme hotel.
The hotel has its own thermal wells; the salt-bromide-iodine,
hyperthermal waters spring after a long, deep voyage from the Pre-alpine
arc to the Euganean region, at a temperature of between 65° and 87°C.
The Hotel is included in the monitoring network of the University of
Padua, that checks the ripening and quality processes of the mud, and
operates within the Italian National Health Service with regard to
mud-bath therapy treatments, inhalation therapies and aerosol
therapies.
This is a charming old-style high-class hotel with full spa facilities, physicians in attendance, and a wide array of treatments, which we will be evaluating.
On our first day we met with one of the hotel's physicians, Dr. Alberto Dattilo, a very knowledgeable internist, nephrologist, and nutritionist, licensed in both Italy and USA. He has presented a clear picture of curative effects of the local thermal water and mud, carefully distinguishing proven medical facts form assumptions based on traditional knowledge and/or anecdotal evidence.
We also met with the hotel's proprietress, Mrs. Lisetta Sabbion, a
wonderful multi-cultural multi-lingual lady, radiating with charm and
hospitality.
Spa facilities: very good thermal pools, indoor and outdoor. Excellent underwater massages in the pools/jacuzzi. Very good inhalation grotto. Minor minus: spa facilities close at 7pm.
Treatments: the key treatment, "fango bath", is comprised of application of mud by a skillful attendant, relaxation with mud wrapped in blankets, followed by an ozonating thermal bath, followed by a mineral restoration beverage. Treatments are carefully prescribed by the staff physicians. Other treatments include various physical therapies and massages.
Physical activities: reasonable gym (though closes at 7pm), free bicycles.
Rooms: elegant and comfortable. Beautiful Maria Theresa chandelier above the bed. Very clean. Large marble bathroom with bidet. Balcony. Bed headboards are covered with fresh linen -- a nice touch; beds are set in way conducive of daytime relaxation. A minus: rooms are locked with mechanical keys.
Internet: free wireless high speed Internet in the rooms and common area. A computer with a printer is available in the lobby (at no charge either). We have called most other top hotels in Abano Terme and found that they charge an hourly fee for Internet and/or do not have wireless Internet at all (the most expensive hotel in Abano Terme has advised us that they only have dialup Internet in the rooms and charge it as a local call -- this reminded me of an incident in 2002 when the Willard in Washington DC attempted to bill me $3000 for a 15-days-long local call -- they later agreed to waive that dial-up charge and were impeccable in all other aspects). Minus: while Internet at the President is "free" it is by far not hassle-free. One has to go through a daily procedure of obtaining a new user-id and password from the front desk, restarting Internet, loosing/reopening applications. I would gladly pay $30 a day not to go through this hassle. I was curious to discover whether there was any business reason for this but have not received a logical answer from the front desk.
Meals: Breakfast -- very good, healthy buffet selection (including flax and hemp seeds, fresh fruit). Minor minus: no significant variety from day to day. Dinner -- high class ambiance, excellent appetizer buffet.
Interviews with guests. We have interviewed a dozen guests, in different categories -- retired people, younger couples. Most told us that they come to this hotel every year for years. One couple was coming for 32 years, another single man and a couple -- for 20 years each. Surprisingly a Russian couple in their late twenties is here for their third time. The reasons given for such loyalty include: very clean hotel, the proprietress lives in the hotel and takes personal care of guests and perfection of service, friendly and professional staff, no large tourist groups -- quite enjoyment, no surprising over-charges.
Tajana Lucic-Rishe, M.D.
This report is commissioned to Recommend.org by DrRecommend.com and is also licensed to Turs.net, Hotels-Shopper.com and related accommodation sites.
Appendix: Average composition of Abano-Montegrotto Terme mineral water
| Air temperature | 8 deg.Cel. | |
| Water temperature | 84.5 deg.Cel. | |
| pH | 7.0 | |
| Conductivity at 18C | 8.100 | |
| Solid residues at 180 | 5.806 g/l | |
| Solid residues at 550 | 5.434 g/l | |
| Sodium | 1.450 g/l | |
| Potassium | 0.172 g/l | |
| Calcium | 0.387 g/l | |
| Magnesium | 0.080 g/l | |
| Ammonium | 0.0027 g/l | |
| Iron | < 0.05 ppm | |
| Nitrite | none | |
| Nitrate | none | |
| Sulphate | 0.278 g/l | |
| Chloride | 0.578 g/l | |
| Bicarbonato | 0.161 g/l | |
| Bromide | traces | |
| Iodide | traces | |
| Hydrogen sulphide | 1.32 mg/l | |
| Silica | 0.063 g/l | |
| Alkalinity (ml HCl 0.1 N) | 26.5 | |
| Hardness (French degrees) | 130 | |
| Oxidability | 9.71 mg/l | |
| Organic substances | 0.372 g/l | |
| Cryoscopic constant | 0.31 | |
| Osmotic pressure | 3.78 atm. |
Updated 2/2014