Prague’s Original Beer Spa is Reinventing the Bohemian Approach to Relaxation

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Prague’s Original Beer Spa is Reinventing the Bohemian Approach to Relaxation

After a long day of exploring the Prague Castle, Old Town Square, Charles Bridge and the beautiful Petrin Hill, there’s no better (and more Czech) way to wind down than with an authentic beer spa. The Czech people have been appreciating beer spas for decades, and the Original Beer Spa’s special recipe includes not only Czech Krušovice beer, but “many ingredients that have been used in medicine since ancient times.” The best part – guests are treated to unlimited beer while they soak. As the Original Beer Spa has expanded, they’ve helped to create a new cottage industry in one of Europe’s most popular tourism cities. We spoke to Jakub Orszulik, the Operations & Business Development Manager at the Original Beer Spa, to learn more about how the Original Beer Spa became a popular tourist destination, how the company sources its beer, and much more. Na zdraví!

 

Could you please tell us a bit more about your career prior to working with the Original Beer Spa?

In recent years I have worked in various positions in the hotel and real estate sector, in both the Czech Republic and also in Italy.

 

What led to working as the Manager of Business Development the Original Beer Spa in 2017, and what were some of the most surprising or unexpected aspects of joining such a unique company?

The Original Beer Spa was established to create a new way for tourists and locals to enjoy beer. We wanted to bring together both unique interior design and fantastic spa treatments, while providing them with the highest quality of service and entertainment. This is why I came on as the Business Development Manager – my goal was to enhance our product and continue building our client base. The most surprising aspect of working with the Original Beer Spa was the technological complexity of actually constructing, running, and cleaning a beer spa. Building and outfitting a beer spa isn’t a simple task. In fact, it is an extremely complex intersection of several technologies that we’re bringing together.

 

How did Beer Spas become a popular way for both tourists and locals to relax?

The Czech Republic has a strong link to beer, it’s part of our cultural heritage and history. While beer has always been draw for tourists, we’re more recently seeing the rise of eco-tourism and a focus on rest and relaxation. The Original Beer Spa offers a fun form of beer spa relaxation that has a link to Czech tradition, and at the same time has positive natural effects for the body and mind. Both tourists and locals come to the Original Beer Spa to partake.

 

Why is the Czech Republic (especially Prague) the global epicenter of Beer Spas?

Well, firstly, it must be known that Czech beer is the best in the world. The beer tourism industry has always been extremely successful in Prague. More recently, there’s been a growing focus on relaxation, which most clients seek during their stay at the Original Beer Spa. Our Original Beer Spa was one of the pioneers of the beer spa industry in the Czech Republic, and gained great popularity worldwide. It just makes sense that beer and relaxation would intersect in a city like Prague.

 

What are the main health benefits of taking a Beer Spa – what should tourists know before they arrive to the Original Beer Spa?

Brewer’s yeast is the most important ingredient of the beer spa, and this is why partaking in a Beer Spa is so beneficial. Beer yeast is a fantastic source of nourishment for the skin, smoothing wrinkles and providing overall hydration, while providing essential B vitamins, carbohydrates and protein. Brewer’s yeast is also one of the richest sources of organic iron, essential amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, phosphatides, sterols, glucides, enzymes and other bioactive nutrients.

Brewer’s yeast also helps to heal inflammation of the liver, and is ideal for relaxing muscles after increased physical and mental exercise and sport. This is why the Beer Spa is such a popular form of relaxation for weary tourists who have been walking up and down Prague’s hills for the past days. The B vitamins found in brewer’s yeast promote healthy digestion and a higher metabolism, and help in the treatment of chronic arthritis and cardiovascular disease. The yeast also assists in the regeneration of intestinal microflora, which are essential for maintaining a strong immune system. On top of that, drinking beer during the procedure promotes mental relaxation!

 

Who are some of the main client groups of the Original Beer Spa – how has your clientele changed or grown in the past years?

Our clientele consists mainly of tourists from Europe and the USA. Many couples like to take a relaxing soak in the beer spa together, so we have a lot of clients visiting on their honeymoon. On the other hand, we often see larger groups of up to ten people, all of whom want to enjoy the Original Beer Spa.

 

How does the Original Beer Spa ensure that it only uses the highest quality ingredients and Czech Krušovice beer for its treatments?

Since the Original Beer Spa was founded, we’ve made it a priority to use only the best possible ingredients in our unique bath blend. As the first and only beer spa bath blend in Prague, it is also certified by the health ministry. Czech Krušovice beer is one of the most famous and loved breweries in the world, so it was natural that we’d use their beer exclusively.

 

What is the main feedback you hear from clients – what is the most rewarding aspect of your work with the Prague Beer Spa?

Our clients love the Original Beer Spa. Singles, couples and groups of friends have all given the Original Beer Spa high praise, and we’re always looking for ways to improve the experience of our clients. Customer care is a big aspect of our company’s operations.

 

How have you grown the team of the Original Beer Spa, and how have you grown the company’s franchises throughout the country? 

We currently operate two branches in Prague, and our team consists of 20 members.

 

What will be your main focus throughout the next year – what projects, partnerships and franchise openings will you be focusing on in 2020?

2020 is definitely the year of expansion for the Original Beer Spa. There are five new branches we are planning to open in the Czech Republic this year. We’re also planning on expanding internationally. We have already signed the contracts with partners in the United States, and are also in the process of finalizing a partnership in Italy.