I Visited LIQUIDROM, an Urban Wellness Retreat in Berlin That Blends Water, Light, and Sound
The exterior of LIQUIDROM in Berlin, Germany. Photo by Elyse Glickman
We’re all familiar with spas that recreate Old World European luxury and pampering, others inspired by Scandinavian minimalism and pragmatism, and those that make various Asian sensibilities their own.
However, there are some spa experiences that can only exist in the place where they were created and developed. LIQUIDROM in the vibrant Berlin-Kreuzberg neighborhood is one of them, and it’s as Berlin as it gets.
My four-hour Gutschein/Long Break package was set to begin 60 minutes after my delayed arrival into Berlin, due to a last-minute airline change caused by a nationwide strike affecting all flights into and out of Germany. Under these circumstances, including a longer flight time, I was particularly looking forward to the customized massage that was part of my package.
I emerged from the subway station at golden hour to the sight of the Tempodrom, a futuristic structure resembling a circus tent sitting atop the former grounds of the 19th-century Anhalter Bahnhof train station.
I was momentarily struck by ambient lights and clouds of steam forming a halo over the building. The front area, in contrast, looks like a typical nightclub entrance one may find in New York City, Los Angeles...or Berlin, for that matter.
The entrance to LIQUIDROM resembles a typical nightclub entrance. Photo by Elyse Glickman
Once the doorman confirmed I was on the list, manager Ibrahim took me on a tour of LIQUIDROM’s cavernous expanse of illuminated thermal pools and lounge chairs, the brightly backlit snack bar, access to the “textile-free” sauna areas, an outdoor terrace with a Japanese-style wooden tub, and the treatment room where my now-rescheduled massage would take place.
To say that LIQUIDROM isn’t just a wellness concept, but a vibe is actually not a cliche. Holistic and aromatherapeutic activities, massage cabins, and thermal pools with hypnotic lights and music intermingle with art gallery-inspired walls and a chic bar serving smoothies, tea, wine, and light bites — all against a sonic backdrop of DJs specializing in chill lounge, trip-hop, techno, and downtempo grooves.
It is conceived as a “Be who you are” wellness safe space, where several of its most compelling features are “textile-free,” and being naked is essential to soak in its full wellness benefits.
LIQUIDROM features art-gallery-inspired walls, a chic bar, and a lounge for relaxation. Photo courtesy of LIQUIDROM © Detlef Eden
Although I have been to textile-free Japanese onsens and South Korean jimjilbangs in the past, with separate areas for men and women, I found LIQUIDROM’s gender-integrated locker room a little intimidating at first. However, the sight of the other patrons thoroughly tuned into their own wellness pursuits combined with the knowledgable-but-laid-back staff put me at ease.
Before showing me to the gender-integrated locker room, Ibrahim presented me with a spa kit that included a towel, a robe, and a magnetic key fob on a watchband to open and lock my locker and access the sauna areas.
We went over the spa etiquette and the evening’s list of hourly aromatherapeutic “sauna infusions” in the main 90°C Finnish sauna (“Aufguss”), offered at no extra charge with several of the “escape” packages.
Other amenities include a steam room, kelo room, salt room, hot room, and cold plunge.. Photo courtesy of LIQUIDROM © Detlef Eden
Though the pools were inviting, and I began my experience in my swimsuit, I found myself planning to bare my soul and much of my body to take in some of the Aufguss sessions led by “Saunameister” Neele, starting with the Forest Walk with salt peeling and the woodsy aromas of Nordic pines and other native trees.
At the top of the hour, other rituals involving menthol crystals and honey-based rubs proved to be inviting and accessible, thanks to Neele’s directions, meditations, and perfectly-timed pours of scented water over hot coals.
Other saunas that keep the sensory deep dive in play include a kelo wood herbal sauna, a Himalayan salt sauna with energized crystals, and a Good Night singing bowl session before the spa closed for the night.
One of the main highlights of LIQUIDROM is the iconic 36°C warm saltwater pool beneath the dome. Photo courtesy of LIQUIDROM © Detlef Eden
As one can imagine, once I got around to entering the main pool (in my swimsuit), it was hard to pull myself out, between the soothing sea water and the beautifully curated house DJs’ tracks playing on the Tuesday night when I visited.
However, guests wanting to intensify this experience can spring for a 50-minute Signature Aquatic Massage (105€/$125) in 36°C warm saltwater, integrating gentle movements, stretches, and guided impulses from the therapist that release tension in a weightless setting to make way for a calmer disposition.
LIQUIDROM’s outdoor terrace has a warm saltwater onsen under the open sky. Photo courtesy of LIQUIDROM © Detlef Eden
The 50-minute table massage in my package was administered by Alex, who wasted little time assessing where my head and body happened to be after a long travel day, and what specific areas needed more work based on the fact that I spent most of my flight — and much of my daily life — writing and reading.
He concentrated on my neck, shoulders, and lower back with what seemed to be a mix of deep tissue, Swedish, and other modalities to break down where he intuited stress accumulated in the past 24 hours. Even as we approached closing time, I felt at once energized and calm, with complimentary apple tea in hand and a Good Night bowl session ensuring I could have a full night’s sleep.
While LIQUIDROM stands as a scene and an oasis simultaneously, its vibe is elevated on weekends when the management stages live concerts and internationally famous DJs and special events during the warmer months.
Indoor and outdoor spaces offer guests plenty of room for relaxation before and after their services. Photo by Elyse Glickman
Tips for experiencing LIQUIDROM for the first time:
Be prepared for the unexpected! This is a spa/wellness experience for the adventurous tapping into Berlin as a global art and lifestyle capital. The skilled, attentive massage therapists and thoughtful staff will help newcomers acclimate to this different kind of spa setting.
Nighttime DJ sets and ambient lighting timed to music add sensory elements to the facility’s pools, three themed saunas, and steam bath.
Packages providing access to the facilities for different time allotments include Short Escape 90 (22,00 €/$26): Urban Flow 120 (24,50 €/$29) and Deep Dive (180, 29,50 €/$35).
In addition to “spa use packages” that include access to the steam rooms, pools, saunas, and the “Aufguss” infusion sessions in the Finnish sauna, there’s a small list of massages available for an extra charge.
There are charges for use of spa kits (towels and robes) that run between 9-15 € ($10-$15 U.S.). However, bring a swimsuit for the thermal pools, your own flip-flops to navigate the grounds, and personal toiletries to use when getting prepared to re-enter the real world.
For more information about LIQUIDROM, visit their website. Follow on Instagram: @liquidrom.berlin
LIQUIDROM is located at Möckernstraße 10, 10963 Berlin. (+49) 30 25 80 17 82-0
[Photos courtesy of LIQUIDROM © Detlef Eden and Elyse Glickman]
Elyse Glickman is a Los Angeles-based freelance travel journalist for consumer and trade magazines, websites, social media, and marketing/public relations projects.
She has visited 70 countries on assignment in Asia, Europe, South America, North America, Australasia, and the Middle East.
You can see her complete portfolio at ElyseGlickman.com.