A guide to ice fountains

Offering the perfect complement to heat-based spa facilities, ice fountains provide an invigorating touch of luxury to your spa day or overnight spa break. In this guide, we explain all you need to know about ice fountains, including the benefits they offer. We also highlight two superb packages that feature access to wonderfully chilly spa facilities.

What is an ice fountain?

Forming part of a thermal suite, an ice fountain balances spa facilities that harness the wellness properties of extreme heat. They are the ideal way to cool down and chill out, as part of your spa experience. You will find ice fountains at many of our spas, including our exclusive 4 and 5 star luxury spa hotels.

Unlike other cold-based facilities, such as ice rooms, snow rooms and igloos, ice fountains do not usually involve entering an enclosed icy space. Instead, they comprise a fountain that continuously makes ice flakes, which fall from a chute into a bowl, from which guests can help themselves. The ice is rubbed on to the skin for topical cooling.

Ice fountains are communal spa facilities. They are usually located near to the heat-based facilities. This is because ice fountains are often used by spa-goers in conjunction with saunas, steam rooms and other extreme heat facilities. Alternating short spells in the extreme heat with rubbing a cooling handful of ice on to your skin helps you to reap the full benefits of the thermal spa.

What are the health benefits of an ice fountain?

Along with ice rooms and the other cold-based spa facilities, ice fountains can provide a range of health benefits, both alone and when combined with extreme heat. The most obvious benefit of ice is that it provides an immediate cooling of the skin following exposure to heat or a vigorous exercise session. Other potential benefits include:

Skin tightening: Ice helps to close the pores and tighten the skin by activating collagen production. It is best to avoid applying ice directly to the face, particularly the delicate eye area. Guests with sensitive skin may especially wish to avoid placing ice directly on the face.

Increasing blood circulation: Spending a few minutes in a sauna or steam room and then rapidly cooling the body dilates and contracts the blood vessels, boosting the circulation. This has the benefit of increasing the movement of blood and oxygen around the body. Among other things, this aids the functioning of the organs and can help to keep the heart healthy.

Relaxing muscles: Heat and cold can help to relax the muscles and relieve aches and pains, reducing swelling and inflammation. Again, this is due to improved circulation and blood flow. Alternating periods in the hot/cold thermal spa facilities can also help to ease tensions stored in the body.

Strengthening the immune system: There is some evidence to suggest that exposure to extreme cold alone and when alternated with heat can lead to a healthier immune system. This is partly due to an improved circulatory system taking extra infection-fighting white blood cells around the body.

What to expect from an ice fountain

One of the great things about an ice fountain is that you are fully in control of when and how you use it. Simply grab a handful of ice chips and rub them on to your skin any time you need to cool down during your spa day. It’s important not to rub too hard or to keep the ice in contact with the skin for long periods. If you experience any discomfort or burning, stop applying the ice. The idea of an ice fountain is simply to briefly cool the skin.

However, as with other spa facilities that include extreme heat or cold, ice fountains are not suitable for every guest. If you are pregnant or have any underlying health conditions, we would always recommend seeking medical advice ahead of time. You should also let the spa therapists know about any health issues, so they can advise accordingly.

Book a break with SpaSeekers

If you would like to enjoy all the benefits of an ice fountain and other thermal facilities on your next spa day or overnight spa break, here are two great spa packages to try:

One of our exclusive luxury spas, The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire offers a 1 Night Fire and Ice Break. In addition to overnight accommodation, a buffet dinner and breakfast, the package includes a 60-minute pre-booked fire and ice experience. This features access to no less than 12 refreshing and revitalising biothermal rooms. Book now to secure this very special luxury spa package.

The Welcombe Hotel BW Premier Collection by Best Western in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire offers a superbly simple Fire and Ice Half Spa Day. The package includes 120 minutes’ use of the thermal spa facilities, which feature a cooling ice fountain. Book now to enjoy an invigorating thermal spa experience on a budget.

We feature plenty of other great spas with thermal facilities across the UK. Take a look at our latest spa deals or contact us today to find your perfect spa package. Don’t forget that all our packages come with a ‘best price’ guarantee and online bookings are secure and instantly guaranteed