At the foot of Sümeg Castle, where history is almost tangible, a special world awaits guests. Hotel Kapitány Wellness offers an experience where the romance of the Age of Chivalry meets modern comfort. The hotel’s newest pride, the Turquoise Spa, evokes the exotic atmosphere of oriental baths, offering physical and spiritual rejuvenation — while outside, the winter landscape provides a fairytale backdrop for relaxation.
Hotel Kapitány’s newest wellness realm, the Turquoise Spa, combines the magic of the East and the historical atmosphere created by Sümeg Castle in stunning harmony. The interior space, playing with deep turquoise, burgundy and golden colors, the finely crafted mosaic decorations and the vaulted spaces evoke the elegance of classical Turkish baths. However, the 600-square-meter new spa section is much more than a wellness addition: it promises a sensory journey where both body and soul can rest in a world of silence, warmth and harmony.
As we enter, the soft lights and steaming water surface immediately slow down time. The Finnish and infrared saunas, the Turkish bath with jacuzzi, the ice fountain and the plunge pool serve physical regeneration, while the metasilicic acid-rich 32-degree thermal water — fed by a natural spring from the hotel’s own 600-meter-deep well — makes the skin silky and refreshes well-being. Beyond the windows of the spa’s relaxation area, the towers of the medieval castle offer an unparalleled view both during the day and in the evening illumination.
The uniqueness of Hotel Kapitány’s two-level wellness world is that it offers experiences for both adults and children. While parents recharge with massage, facial treatment or sauna programs, the little ones can play carefree among the slides and bubbles of the nearby adventure pools.
The Middle Ages Come to Life
Hotel Kapitány is more than a hotel: with Sümeg Castle, the Castle Tavern, and the Historical Equestrian Games, it’s a themed experience world that offers a real time travel for every member of the family. The four-star superior accommodation’s concept is built around the Age of Chivalry: staff welcomes guests in period costumes, while children can transform into little knights and castle princesses. Crowning the authentic feeling, the view of the castle from most rooms makes this experience complete.
The youngest guests are awaited by a medieval playground, petting zoo and pony riding opportunity, while puppet shows and children’s disco guarantee good spirits for the evening as well. Meanwhile, adults are not left without experiences: medieval weapon trials, carriage rides, city tours and horse riding opportunities complete the program — so every age group finds their own favorite.
Meanwhile, children not only have fun but also learn imperceptibly about the world of the Middle Ages, while the whole family collects lifetime memories together.
Knight’s Tournament with Feast
The real highlight of the Sümeg experience world is the Historical Equestrian Games held in the evenings in the Knight’s Arena next to the hotel, which brings to life the heroic world of the border fortress times. In the spectacular show, spear throwing, archery, battle star throwing and knightly duels evoke the martial glory of the Middle Ages, and one of the program’s standout extra elements is the breathtaking performance of Mongolian mounted stunt riders, which brings unique dynamism and a special Eastern atmosphere to the show. The elegant presentation of the Spanish Riding School further deepens the experience of time travel, and the program’s worthy conclusion is the torchlit medieval feast, where long tables await guests with hand-eaten dishes — medieval soup, crispy goose leg and house wine. Period music, candlelight and friendly atmosphere together transform the dinner into a true knightly celebration.
Hotel Kapitány’s gastronomy is an experience in itself, where tradition and modern culinary art are harmoniously intertwined. The basis of the restaurant’s offering is the carefully selected ingredients from the castle captain’s own model farm. The homemade sausages, cheeses, smoked hams and cracklings thus prepared evoke the flavors of the region, while modern, health-conscious dishes also play a prominent role on the menu.
Winter Magic in Sümeg
When snow covers the bastions of Sümeg Castle in winter, and the sunshine glistens on the whitened stone walls, a special, almost fairytale-like atmosphere envelops the town. Hotel Kapitány becomes a true refuge at such times: the warmth of the Turquoise Spa, the spicy scent of the saunas and the caressing power of the thermal water provide the perfect counterpoint to the cold outside.
And those who step out of the wellness tranquility can reach the 13th-century castle towering on the hilltop with just a few minutes’ walk — one of Hungary’s most beautifully restored, vibrant medieval jewels. Exploring Sümeg further enriches the experience, as the town hides real cultural treasures. The walls of the Baroque church are decorated with the stunning frescoes of Franz Anton Maulbertsch — this work, referred to as the ‘Rococo Sistine Chapel,’ is one of the finest domestic examples of 18th-century art. The elegant, monumental rooms of the nearby Episcopal Palace evoke the atmosphere of history, where every step leads into the noble world of old times.
As Sümeg comes to life anew in winter, the castle walls whisper tales of the past, while the present embraces with the warmth of comfort and tranquility. At Hotel Kapitány, the scents of the East, the glory of the Age of Chivalry and the refined comfort of the modern era meet, so that relaxation becomes a truly timeless, soul-deep experience.
Zoltán M. Érsek
