There is a lively debate as to which of the Mayr Clinics near Klagenfurt in Austria one should visit. So Globalista has been on a fact-finding mission, and set out below are our arguments for and against each clinic.

F.X. Mayr

Viva Mayr

Setting

Viva Mayr restaurant overlooking Lake Worth

The F.X. Mayr, like the Viva Mayr, is on Lake Worth. The two clinics are 45 minutes walk from each other or 5 minutes by car. The views from both are idyllic, though the Viva has the edge because it is right on the lake whereas there is a road separating the F.X. Mayr from the lakeshore, although Globalista has learnt that plans are afoot to redevelop and move onto the lakeshore.

F.X Mayr golf course

But in the location stakes the F.X. wins hands down as behind the clinic are both a golf course and a magical forest, which means in winter there are lovely walks across the golf course. At Christmas 2009 it was doubly pleasurable as there was a thick layer of snow.

And in summer you can walk right from the clinic through a vast array of forest paths. The Viva Mayr, by contrast, is in a fairytale village with two beautiful churches side by side but with no walking on the doorstep other than the roadside walk around the lake.

Comfort

Viva Mayr guest room

In terms of comfort there’s no contest – the Viva Mayr is five-star and extremely luxurious and comfortable. The F.X. Mayr is like a poor Marriott, with adequate but hideously decorated bedrooms. It’s not uncomfortable; it’s just that there is a three-star feel to it all.

F.X. Mayr guest room

Having said that, aficionadas of the F.X. Mayr (and Globalista now counts itself amongst them) prefer it for the very reason that it has a sanatorium rather than upmarket spa feel. Somehow if you’re going to starve and address your health, ‘boot camp’ surroundings seem entirely appropriate.

In this vein another advantage of the F.X. Mayr over the Viva Mayr, at least in high season, is that there’s only one bar/restaurant anywhere near; thankfully it’s not visible from the clinic and is a 5-10 minute walk away. Viva Mayr, on the other hand, is surrounded by temptation – with coffee shops and pizzerias on the doorstep.

Treatments/Health

F.X. Mayr pool

On the health side both clinics follow a similar pattern. The supporters of the F.X Mayr argue that the medical supervision (at least two doctors’ appointments during your stay) at the F.X. Mayr is infinitely superior and the dietary detoxification regime more prescriptive – more clinic than spa. They also use Organic Pharmacy products which are free from preservatives and petrochemicals.

Viva Mayr sauna

There is a wide range of treatments available at both: blood analysis, shiatsu, acupuncture, kneipping, infusions, blood oxygenation, massage of every variety and, of course, colonic irrigation. In spa treatments Viva Mayr excels. There’s a shortage of beauticians at the F.X. Mayr and manicures and pedicures must be booked in advance of your stay. They’re adequate, but certainly not extraordinary.

Tips/Advice

(a) Price

Both clinics are vastly more expensive than one imagines. Even though the room rate at the F.X. Mayr is only around 800 euros per week per person, the treatments, however sparing one is, add at least another 1200 euros to the bill. One point worth noting: the Viva Mayr only offers individual treatments, rather than a treatment programme, which may work out more expensive.

(b) Getting there

There are three ways to travel to Klagenfurt: fly to Vienna and take a three-hour taxi ride; fly direct to Klagenfurt; or, most charmingly, fly to Ljubljana in Slovenia which is absolutely divine and definitely worth staying the night in. Then it’s a beautiful one-hour taxi ride over the mountains. To be recommended.

(c) Visits

There are outings to Klagenfurt and Ljubljana stopping on the way at Bled. Try to leave these, particularly the Klagenfurt excursion, until the end of your stay as temptation in the form of fantastic cake and coffee shops awaits you on most street corners.

(d) Entertainment

There isn’t a great deal of entertainment on offer for your detox nights. We recommend that you come stocked with DVDs that you’ve been meaning to catch up on.

Find out more information on F.X Mayr at www.360travel.co.uk/mayr/english/index.html and Viva Mayr at www.viva-mayr.com/en/

Visit Globalista.co.uk for more insider information on resorts and spas in Austria.

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