De Montel Terme Milano: wellness lands in town

On 1 April 2025, De Montel – Terme Milano, the first urban spa park in the city of Milan and the largest in Europe, officially opened.

Born from the redevelopment and regeneration project of the former De Montel stables at the San Siro Racecourse, this wellness oasis covers 16,000 square metres with saunas, thermal pools, green and relaxation areas.

The De Montel’s Stables

At the beginning of the 20th century, Milan was an industrial and growing city and, in this context, lived Giuseppe De Montel, a banker and entrepreneur with a strong passion for horses.

It was from his passion for these animals that he came up with the idea of building stables to house his thoroughbreds. De Montel entrusted the project to two great architects of the time: Arrigo Cantoni and Paul Vietti Vieri, who realised a modern work in Art Nouveau style that became a symbol of Milan in the 1920s.

However, fortunes and interest in the world of horse riding were short-lived, influenced in particular by the two world wars, and the De Montel stables also suffered as a consequence. These, were first sold and then handed over to a congregation of nuns, until the facility was completely abandoned. Only recently, since 2019, through the international city revaluation project, has it been possible to redevelop these spaces by creating the thermal park.

Thermal waters in Milan?

It was not only the redevelopment of the areas that gave rise to the project, but also the rediscovery of thermal waters from an aquifer about 400 metres deep underground of the city. It seems impossible and almost science -fictional, and yet it is so: there were thermal baths in Milan.

As early as the 2nd century A.D., the Romans enjoyed the beneficial properties of these waters during their thermal practices, which were rich in sulphates, bicarbonates and minerals. However, it was only in 1288 with Bonvesin De La Riva, that the first studies on the quality of these waters have been made, and it was not until 1947 for official confirmation of their thousand-year-old mineralisation process and therapeutic properties.

These studies, begun in 1927, were aimed at exploring the depths of Milan’s subsoil, hence the discovery of the aquifers and their process of creation: a thousand-year-long filtration through deep geological strata, guaranteeing their absolute purity. The water’s fixed residue of 204 mg/L classifies it as oligomineral, perfect for hydrating, balancing and regenerating the skin. While, its ionic lightness optimises cellular exchanges, contributing to dermatological well-being and the stimulation of reparative processes.

Nowadays, the rediscovery of these waters and their benefits have been exploited to offer the citizens of Milan and beyond a unique experience:

• Ten thermal pools;
• Reaction pools;
• Advanced hydrotherapy spaces;
• 4 saunas; 1 hammam; 1 steam bath; 9 relaxation areas.

The experience is made even more exclusive thanks to the presence of a specialised medical team, offering customised therapeutic courses and a food & beverage area with a bistro restaurant, cafeteria and garden bar, where wellness also extends to the pleasure of good food.

Well-being at De Montel Terme

Entering into the details of all the wellness services offered by the park, we find, first of all, the pools and thermal baths, which include:

• Sorgente pool (34°) outdoors, consisting of two symmetrical pools with a whirlpool and comfortable chaises longues;
• Rain Pool (34°), where a gentle “rain” of water creates an atmosphere of peace and relaxation, accompanied by the sound of water and scents;
• Water Veil Pool (34°), offering a natural massage to release accumulated tension;
• Pool of Lightness (34°), with various whirlpools designed for the well-being of the limbs and back;
• Cold Baths and Swedish Showers (22°), which balance the body temperature and tone the body;
• Suspension pool (38°), a true “zero-gravity experience” in high-density hypersaline water;
• Eclipse Pool (34°), heated outdoor infinity pool, with full whirlpool from the soles of the feet to the entire spine;
• Chill pool (22°), perfect for free swimming and cooling off.

The offer of saunas and wetlands is also very complete. We find, in fact:

• Ritual Sauna (80-90°), a panoramic room with windows overlooking the courtyard, comfortable seating and the ideal atmosphere for traditional Aufguss rituals;
• Crystal Sauna (60-90°), for an anti-inflammatory salt experience ideal for eliminating toxins and purifying the respiratory system;
• Breath Sauna (40-50°), lined with alpine wood with Swiss pine essential oils;
• Banja Russa(80-90°), which combines heat, steam and massage with birch twigs (venik) for an energising and detoxifying effect;
• Steam Bath and Hammam (40-45°), which promote sweating, purification and hydration;
• Tepidarium Salino(45°), with a salt-covered floor, which prepares the body for deep relaxation and stimulates the immune system, offering antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and decongestant benefits.

In addition to baths and saunas, the thermal park also offers an extensive menu of regenerating treatments inspired by the famous Terme di Saturnia Method. These SPA protocols, an expression of the expertise of Saturnia’s award-winning SPA, guarantee a complete and personalised wellness experience

Another distinguishing feature are the sensorial ceremonies that aim to transform time into moments of pure relaxation, with daily rituals performed by the masters of the ceremony.

The products used in the treatments are rich in Saturnia Bioplankton and freeze-dried thermal water. The thermal water of Saturnia travels a long 40-year underground journey and gushes out of the spring at a temperature of 37.5°, rich in hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide and bicarbonate, precious elements to stimulate vasodilation, improve tissue nutrition, remove toxic substances and favour the regeneration of epidermis cells.

De Montel Terme Milano is an oasis of peace in the heart of one of the most hectic and chaotic cities. Between therapeutic pools and relaxing treatments, relaxation is at your fingertips, just a few steps from the centre and easily accessible by the M5 metro. This is in addition to the many activities that Guests of the Hotel VIU Milan can enjoy. Thanks to its strategic location, close to the Monumentale and Cenisio subway stations, the De Montel thermal park is only few minutes far away.

The idea of bleisure travel, therefore, is becoming more and more concrete: a stay that combines the discovery of some of the world’s most iconic historical sites and financial districts with moments dedicated to self-care and personal well-being. A travel philosophy of which the Hotel VIU Milan has been a promoter since its opening, offering an ideal and functional environment for the business traveller, enhanced by typically leisure services such as the Spa and the Roofpool.