In 1945, the Allied victors rounded up all of the former German Nazi leaders they could get their hands on, but weren't entirely sure what to do with them. Technically, the Germans were still officials of a sovereign power, and the notion of international justice for crimes against humanity was still in its infancy. But their offenses were so blatantly egregious, that many Russian, British, and French authorities favored simply shooting them.
The American leadership insisted on some kind of judicial process, if only as a way of educating the world, and in particular the German people, to the twelve-year horror of the Tausendjähriges Reich. In the end, the Americans got their way in the Nurnberg War Crimes Tribunal, but in the meantime, what to do with the alleged criminals?
The gorgeous village of Mondorf-les-Bains in Luxembourg sat safely outside Germany, yet close enough to the French and Belgian borders to allow for a quick exit. And this was important, because at any moment, the Americans feared either a rescue attempt or, more likely, a mob lynching threatened by the legions of angry victims.
So the US Army took over the village here and installed the Nazis in the beautiful hotel and spa that was its most remarkable feature. The facility they named Camp Ashcan—in case anyone doubted their true sentiments—became one of the few prisons ever constructed in history designed primarily to prevent people from entering rather than leaving.
Much later, in the 1980s, most of the original 19th century Société des Bains de Mondorf was torn down and replaced by the luxurious, ultra-modern facility where we go every year to "take the waters." The thermal beds that underly this part of Europe, from Spa in Belgium to Baden-Baden in Germany, ensure a steady supply of the hot, ultra-saline water that has driven the homeopathic tradition since the dawn of civilization. The European Spa Movement might have crested in the 19th century and since receded, but not in Mondorf-les-Bains.
The facilities:
Twelve saunas, steam baths, and Hammam set at a variety of temperatures, from mild to scorching.
Various types of massage, respiratory, and digestive cures.
Supervised physical therapy of all types from an expert staff.
Hundreds of comfortable lounge chairs, indoor and out, and perfect for a quick—or day-long—nap.
A huge indoor-outdoor pool warm enough to swim through a winter snowfall, with a progression of wall jets to individually pommel every bone and muscle in your body.
45 acres of immaculate park, forest, and walking paths to soothe and exercise your soul.
And when you're done with all that healthy, strenuous regimen (we max out at a morning and afternoon two-hour session each day), you can get right back to normal with a pizza, a glass of Bordeaux, and an elaborate ice cream sundae at our favorite local restaurant, le Café de Paris.
To reserve a room…
Find the official website here.
Or call the hotel direct at: +35223666666
The room includes a huge buffet breakfast and unlimited use of the spa facilities for the full days of your stay.