It’s become common to travel with a purpose: volunteering, sporting events, retreats, genealogy research… I set myself a hedonistic goal to get a taste of public bathing culture in every country I visit.

Although it’s a rather easy task to treat yourself in Baku or Budapest, it took me a while to find a nice spot to relax and refuel in Minsk. The smell of mold, essential oils of doubtful quality, noisy families with kids using the jacuzzi as a paddling pool… I’d experienced it all before I found inner peace in the ’’Beauty Residence’’. It is such a relief to see other visitors knowing what public baths are & what they aren’t.

You don’t need to be a hotel guest to visit it, and there are only a few other people during the daytime (12:00 – 16:00). All in all, you will have about 2 hours to calm your busy mind & recharge your batteries exploring the crystal clear swimming pool under the glass-grid dome, the jacuzzi, steam rooms and sauna. The chebek-tashi made me a repeat customer – get lost in the moment and let it work some magic on you too!

I hope my enthusiasm will inspire you to keep your swimsuit at the top of your luggage and practice some self-care in Minsk. My one & only advice is to leave your everyday worries outside the spa centre so you can savour the aqua thermal journey. And you will certainly do as you walk through the hotel hall contemplating local artworks.