Thermae 2000: From Thermal Waters to Panoramic Aufguss
Frederick
Set on the Cauberg above Valkenburg, in the southern Netherlands near the Belgian and German borders, Thermae 2000 has developed around a thermal spring, distinctive pyramid architecture and a close relationship with the Cauberg. Its latest addition, Eir, gives contemporary Aufguss culture a panoramic new setting.
The location immediately sets Thermae 2000 apart. The wellness resort sits at the top of the Cauberg in Valkenburg aan de Geul, surrounded by the hills and forests of South Limburg. Since opening in 1989, it has expanded from a thermal bathing destination into a resort combining pools, saunas, treatments, restaurants, hotel rooms and private Wellness Suites.
Its architecture remains recognisable through a series of pyramid shaped structures aligned with the cardinal directions. The central pyramid rises at an angle of 52 degrees, creating a geometric landmark within the landscape.
Nature is present throughout the resort, from the outdoor thermal pools and sunbathing lawns to the wide views visible from the saunas and suites. This connection with the Cauberg becomes particularly clear in Eir, the resort’s new panoramic Aufguss sauna.
Water from beneath the Cauberg
Thermae 2000’s identity begins with its thermal spring. According to the resort, the water has remained isolated from the outside world for over 40,000 years and comes from an underground source extending towards ancient volcanic areas in Germany.
The water reaches the thermal pools at approximately 32°C. Its warmth and mineral composition make it suitable for bathing and relaxation, particularly after physical activity or extended periods in the sauna.
Indoor and outdoor pools allow guests to move between sheltered spaces and the surrounding landscape. Whirlpool areas, relaxation rooms and panoramic lawns create quieter intervals between bathing, treatments and sauna rituals.
Eir and the culture of Aufguss
Eir adds a dedicated space for one of the most precise rituals in contemporary sauna culture. The panoramic sauna accommodates 85 guests and looks across the hills of Limburg.
During an Aufguss session, water is poured over heated stones, sometimes with fragrances, herbs or other natural ingredients. An Aufguss master then uses controlled towel movements to circulate heat and steam through the room.
The technique requires timing, physical control and an understanding of airflow. Music, scent and rhythm can give each ritual a distinct character, while herbal and natural sessions introduce different materials and preparations.
Thermae 2000 now has ten saunas, including two panoramic Aufguss saunas, as well as a steam bath. Daily rituals are led by the resort’s own sauna masters, with additional sessions hosted by visiting specialists.
Eir opened with two weekends featuring Dutch and Belgian practitioners, including Erwin Grijsen, Simone Renken, Mike Krijgsman, Marc Taupitz and Thermae 2000 sauna master Daphne Eberhard. Bogdan Albu, founder of Flow Aufguss Academy, also returned to the resort where he first began working with an Aufguss towel seven years earlier.
A sauna towel designed for the ritual
To accompany the opening of Eir, Thermae 2000 commissioned Limburg textile designer Olivia Bertus to create an exclusive sauna towel.
Her design brings together the Cauberg, thermal water, nature and the history of the resort. It also acknowledges the towel as an essential tool within Aufguss practice. In the hands of the master, it directs heat through the sauna and gives visible form to the rhythm of the ritual.
Staying on the Cauberg
Thermae 2000 includes a four star wellness hotel with 74 rooms directly connected to the bathing and sauna areas. Guests can move between their rooms and the wellness facilities in a bathrobe, allowing a day visit to extend into an overnight stay.
Fourteen Wellness Suites, introduced in 2025, offer a quieter and more private alternative. Natural materials, earthy colours and panoramic windows connect the interiors with the surrounding landscape. Each suite includes a freestanding bath, a spacious shower and a private terrace. Selected suites also have their own infrared sauna.
The resort’s treatment programme includes massages, body rituals and skincare using BABOR Skinovage products. Several restaurants and bars cover breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails and lighter dishes, with seasonal outdoor service on the sunbathing lawn.
Thermae 2000 is not conceived around a single wellness trend. Its appeal lies in the relationship between water, heat, architecture and landscape. Eir sharpens that identity by giving Aufguss a space in which the ritual and the view receive equal attention.
Practical information
Thermae 2000
Cauberg 25 to 27
6301 BT Valkenburg aan de Geul
The Netherlands
Day wellness admission starts from €47.50 per person.
Hotel stays start from €121.50 per person, including breakfast and wellness access on the days of arrival and departure.
Wellness Suites start from €171.50 per person, including breakfast and wellness access on the days of arrival and departure.
Prices vary according to date and availability. Tourist tax and parking are not included.
