Termy Karkonosze is one of the newest thermal resorts in the Polish Giant Mountains. A modern complex with indoor and outdoor thermal pools, hot tubs, saunas, a five-star hotel and apartment villas has been built in Staniszów near Jelenia Góra. And this time, “thermal” is not just a marketing label – there really is a deep thermal-water source beneath the resort.
Termy Karkonosze is also well placed for an international trip: the Polish Giant Mountains are easy to reach from several Central European cities. Staniszów lies around 6 kilometres from Jelenia Góra and is within driving distance of Wrocław, Prague and Dresden.
Before booking, however, it is worth understanding how the entire complex works. Termy Karkonosze is not a large public water park. It is primarily a wellness resort with thermal pools for hotel guests, although visitors without accommodation can also enter at limited times.
Several of its rules may come as a surprise. Swimwear is compulsory in the saunas, while from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. the entire pool and sauna area is reserved for adults.
Discounted stay: 5-star hotel and attractive villas in the Polish Giant Mountains, with breakfast or half board and access to the thermal-water wellness area.
Termy Karkonosze at a glance
- Location: Zdrojowa 2, Staniszów, approximately 6 km from the centre of Jelenia Góra
- Thermal water: genuine deep water from the ST-1 borehole
- Borehole depth: approximately 1,580 metres
- Water temperature at the borehole outlet: around 37 °C
- Pool temperatures: approximately 34–40 °C
- Pools and saunas: 9:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
- Adults only, 18+: daily from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Saunas: dry cedar sauna, infrared sauna and steam room
- Swimwear in the saunas: yes, it is compulsory
- Admission for non-residents: currently Monday–Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Admission for non-residents: PLN 80 per adult, PLN 40 per child; children under 4 enter free
- Hotel guests: pool and sauna access is included in the stay
- Parking: currently PLN 39 per car per night with the standard flexible offer
- Booking.com rating: 9.0/10
- Accommodation: either in the 5-star hotel, which houses the wellness area, or in the resort’s apartment villas
Where is Termy Karkonosze?
Is Termy Karkonosze really a thermal spa?
I am cautious when new hotel resorts describe themselves as “thermal spas”. Sometimes the term hides little more than an ordinary heated pool. The situation in Staniszów is different.
The Staniszów ST-1 thermal source was drilled in 2014. The borehole reaches a depth of more than 1,580 metres, and the thermal water flows mainly from a system of fractures in the Karkonosze granite at depths of around 1,360 to more than 1,400 metres.
At the outlet, the water reaches approximately 37 °C. The source yield has been measured at around 20.5 m³ per hour.
Hydrogeologically, it is classified as SO4-HCO3-Cl-Na water containing fluoride and other naturally occurring minerals. Its mineralisation is approximately 0.5 g/l.
This is the important difference compared with an ordinary hotel wellness centre: the thermal water here genuinely comes from a deep geothermal circulation system beneath the Giant Mountains.
A thermal resort, yes; a traditional medical spa, no
It is also useful to distinguish between a thermal resort and a traditional spa town. Termy Karkonosze uses genuine thermal water, but it is not a classic Polish uzdrowisko with spa houses and prescribed medical stays.
The concept is primarily built around wellness, recreation, hotel accommodation and relaxation in warm water.
What are the thermal pools like?
The main pool area is called Ukojenie Spa & Wellness. It cannot compete in size with Poland’s largest thermal water parks, but its facilities are very good for a hotel wellness centre.
At its heart is an indoor pool measuring approximately 13 × 5 metres, which flows seamlessly into a year-round outdoor pool measuring 14 × 5 metres. The main pools are around 1.4 metres deep.
In the water you will find:
- counter-current jets,
- water cascades,
- hydromassage features,
- underwater seats,
- waterfalls.
A major advantage is the ability to swim directly from the indoor section to the outdoor pool. In winter, you do not have to stand outside wet and freezing while moving between two separate pools.
There are also two indoor and three outdoor hot tubs filled with warm water.
Temperatures in the individual pools and hot tubs range from approximately 34 to 40 °C. This does not mean every pool is 40 °C – the upper figure applies to the warmest water features.
ZEN pool
Another outdoor section is the ZEN pool, with an area of approximately 61 m². It has hydromassage jets and underwater loungers and is designed more for peaceful relaxation than swimming.
If you are travelling in autumn, winter or early spring specifically for this pool, I would check its current operation before booking. The main outdoor thermal pool is separate and is presented as open year-round.
Children’s pool
Children have their own smaller pool measuring approximately 3.4 × 5.3 metres.
Do not expect a large children’s water park with several slides and flumes. Arm bands, inflatable rings and other swimming aids are available in the pool area, which is supervised by lifeguards. The children’s pool is also set slightly apart from the main thermal pool, so it disturbs guests seeking quiet relaxation less.
Children under 16 must be supervised by an adult under the pool rules. Children under three must wear a waterproof swim nappy.
Sauna area: keep your swimwear on
The sauna world is smaller than at places such as Germany’s Claudius Therme, but for a hotel wellness stay it offers a useful selection of different ways to warm up.
You will find:
- a dry cedar sauna,
- an infrared sauna,
- a steam room,
- a cold plunge pool.
This is where one of the resort’s most important rules comes in.
You must wear swimwear in the saunas.
The pool rules explicitly state that bathing attire is compulsory throughout the pool hall, including the sauna zone. If you are accustomed to German thermal baths or Austrian thermal baths, where swimwear is normally forbidden in saunas, do not automatically follow that custom. The rule in Staniszów is exactly the opposite.
Pool slippers are recommended throughout the pool area.
After 8:00 p.m., the thermal pools are adults only
I consider the evening arrangement one of the resort’s best ideas.
The pools and saunas normally operate as follows:
- 9:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m.: all guests, including families with children,
- 8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.: guests aged 18 and over only.
For two hours every evening, the family hotel partly transforms into a quieter adults-only wellness retreat.
Termy Karkonosze opening hours
- Pools and saunas: 9:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
- Adults only, 18+: 8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
- Spa and wellness treatments: 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
- Pool Bar: 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Termy Karkonosze admission for the public
This section is particularly important for visitors who do not want to stay at the resort.
Termy Karkonosze is not a traditional public thermal complex with an all-day ticket office seven days a week. The current Day Spa offer provides separate admission to the pools and saunas at the following prices:
| Admission | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | PLN 80 |
| Child | PLN 40 |
| Child under 4 | Free |
Separate admission is available from Monday to Thursday between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., with no time limit within this window.
For hotel guests, the arrangement is simpler: access to the entire pool area is included in the stay at no extra charge.
Accommodation: hotel, villas or the quiet 13+ zone?
Termy Karkonosze is a much larger resort than photographs of the main hotel might suggest. The complex now consists of three separate sections with approximately 264 rooms and apartments. It also belongs among the more interesting thermal spas connected directly to a hotel.
Five-star hotel – the best choice for wellness
The main hotel building has 58 rooms and apartments. This is the section I would choose if the thermal pools are your main reason for travelling. The wellness area, restaurant, bar, children’s club, games room and gym are all in the main building, and you can reach the pools without putting on a coat and going outside. That matters particularly in winter.
The hotel section includes:
- Ukojenie Spa & Wellness,
- Szczyt Smaku restaurant,
- Alchemia Drinks & Tapas,
- Kids’ Club Duszek Gór,
- Game Room,
- gym,
- ski and bicycle storage.
Check the current price and availability of Termy Karkonosze on Booking.com
Villas by the pond – more space, but you must walk outside to the wellness area
The villa zone comprises 126 rooms and apartments spread across separate buildings around a pond.
The main advantage is the more spacious accommodation, often with a kitchenette, balcony or terrace. Each building also has an outdoor hot tub on its terrace.
On the other hand, the villas are not directly connected to the main wellness building. If you stay in a villa, you must walk outside to reach the thermal pools.
In summer, this is a small detail. In January, when returning from the pool in a bathrobe, choosing the main hotel building may prove a considerable advantage.
Check the current price and availability of Termy Karkonosze on Booking.com
Strefa Kameralna 13+ – a quieter part of the resort
The newest section consists of 80 apartments in two-storey villas.
It is intended only for guests aged 13 and over. Note the “13+” designation: this is not an adults-only hotel, but a section of the resort without young children.
If you are travelling as a couple and want to be away from the main family area, this may be the most appealing option.
The five-star classification does not apply to every apartment
Booking portals can easily give the impression that the entire complex has a five-star classification.
In reality, only the main hotel building is designated as 5-star. The resort’s own booking system lists the traditional villa zone and the 13+ apartments as nieskategoryzowane, meaning they have no hotel star classification.
This does not mean the apartments are of lower quality, but it is worth knowing if the five-star designation is an important booking criterion for you.
Discounted stay: 5-star hotel and attractive villas in the Polish Giant Mountains, with breakfast or half board and access to the thermal-water wellness area.
How much does accommodation at Termy Karkonosze cost?
Prices are dynamic and vary considerably depending on the date, day of the week, room type and package.
When the article was written, indicative direct-booking prices started at:
- Standard room in the villa zone: from approximately PLN 429 per night,
- Classic room in the 5-star hotel: from approximately PLN 529 per night,
- Comfort apartment in the 13+ zone: from approximately PLN 579 per night,
- Junior apartment in the villa zone: from approximately PLN 579 per night,
- Karkonosze apartment in the hotel: from approximately PLN 899 per night.
During the same period, a flexible offer with breakfast appeared from approximately PLN 239–240 per person per night. Non-refundable rates started at around PLN 214–215 per person.
Treat these amounts only as a price snapshot. It is always better to check your specific dates before travelling.
Check the current price and availability of Termy Karkonosze on Booking.com
Room cleaning: the hotel and villas follow different schedules
Here is another detail that is easy to miss when booking. Rooms in the main hotel building are cleaned daily.
In the villa section, standard cleaning takes place every third day of the stay. Additional cleaning can be ordered for a fee, currently PLN 150.
You will probably not notice the difference during a short weekend stay, but it may matter during a week-long family holiday.
Additional charges
- parking: PLN 39 per car per night,
- local tax: PLN 3 per person per night,
- pet: PLN 80 per night.
Conditions may vary with special packages. Some offers include free parking, while seasonal packages may use a different parking rate. The terms of your particular booking are therefore decisive.
Check-in is from 3:00 p.m. and check-out is by 11:00 a.m.
Termy Karkonosze with children
Although the resort has evening adults-only hours and a separate 13+ zone, during the day it is very well prepared for families.
Children can use:
- a children’s pool,
- Kids’ Club Duszek Gór,
- an outdoor playground,
- a Game Room with six PlayStation gaming stations,
- a children’s menu in the restaurant,
- high chairs and cots,
- seasonal entertainment and creative workshops.
The entertainment programme does not run automatically every day throughout the year. It is most common during school holidays, Poland’s winter school breaks and selected weekends.
You can borrow a pushchair free of charge
A rather unusual service is the free loan of My Junior PICO pushchairs.
They are intended for children weighing up to 22 kg and can be found at reception. Advance booking is not required, although availability is not guaranteed when the resort is busy.
Restaurants and food
The resort has two main restaurants and several other places for a drink or a smaller meal.
Szczyt Smaku
The main hotel restaurant, Szczyt Smaku, focuses on modern cuisine and serves the hotel breakfast. The breakfast buffet is currently available from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes are also available.
Ristorante Góra Słońca
The villa section has a separate Italian restaurant, Ristorante Góra Słońca. It specialises mainly in pizza, pasta and other Italian dishes. It is usually closed on Mondays, and opening hours vary during the week, so I would check the current schedule before planning a late dinner.
Alchemia and Pool Bar
The main hotel also has Alchemia Drinks & Tapas, serving cocktails and smaller dishes. The Pool Bar is located inside the wellness area and is currently open from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Massages and wellness treatments
Ukojenie Spa & Wellness is more than just a pool area. It also includes treatment rooms offering classic and relaxation massages, beauty treatments and several of the resort’s own thermal rituals. The selection changes over time, so I would check the current spa menu before booking rather than listing prices that may soon become outdated.
What do reviews say about Termy Karkonosze?
Unlike long-established spas, Termy Karkonosze has a relatively short history. However, there are already enough reviews for several clear patterns to emerge.
At the last check, the resort had a Booking.com rating of 9.0 out of 10 from approximately 1,460 reviews.
The individual scores were particularly strong:
- cleanliness: 9.3/10,
- comfort: 9.3/10,
- staff: 9.2/10,
- facilities: 9.1/10,
- location: 8.7/10,
- value for money: 8.5/10.
What do guests like most?
Positive reviews most often mention:
- new and clean rooms and apartments,
- the modern design of the entire resort,
- warm indoor and outdoor pools,
- generous breakfasts,
- pleasant staff,
- peaceful surroundings,
- facilities for families with children.
The resort scores particularly well with families. One verified family review, for example, praised the children’s area, gaming zone, entertainment, breakfasts and helpful staff.
What complaints recur in negative reviews?
No hotel is without its drawbacks, and I would not overlook several practical comments before booking.
Walking from the villas to the wellness area. Guests staying outside the main hotel must walk outdoors to reach the pool zone. This detail appears fairly often in winter reviews.
Paid parking. Some guests expect parking to be included at a five-star resort and dislike the additional charge.
The water temperature is not the same in every pool. Several guests complained that the outdoor water in particular felt cooler than expected. Treat the 34–40 °C figure as the temperature range across different water features, not as a promise of 40-degree water in every pool.
The resort won the 2025 Opening of the Year award
The resort’s rapid development has also attracted attention within the Polish hotel industry. At the Profit Hotel Awards 2025, Termy Karkonosze received the Otwarcie Roku – Hotel/Obiekt Niezależny award, recognising it as the opening of the year among independent hotels and resorts.
The history of the thermal water predates the hotel
The modern hotel is new, but the geothermal project began a decade earlier.
The ST-1 borehole in Staniszów was completed in 2014.
The Giant Mountains are not a random location from a geological perspective. Several deep thermal-water occurrences exist in the Jelenia Góra Valley and its surroundings; the best known are, of course, the nearby Termy Cieplickie in Cieplice Śląskie-Zdrój.
Thermal waters here are mainly associated with deep circulation through the fractured Karkonosze granite massif. In Staniszów, the water reaches the borehole from more than a kilometre below ground, and its journey through the rock is far longer than a glance at the modern hotel pool might suggest.
Termy Karkonosze or Termy Cieplickie?
Both complexes lie close to Jelenia Góra, but they are not direct alternatives.
I would choose Termy Karkonosze if you want an attractive wellness hotel, warm thermal pools, several saunas, quality accommodation and a quieter stay.
Termy Cieplickie is a better fit if you are looking for a traditional public thermal complex and aquatic centre with a stronger focus on recreational swimming.
For a weekend as a couple, I would lean towards Termy Karkonosze. If your main goal is simply a few hours of swimming without a hotel stay, the traditional public thermal baths make more sense.
How to get to Termy Karkonosze
Address:
Termy Karkonosze Resort & Spa
Zdrojowa 2
58-500 Staniszów
Poland
Staniszów lies approximately 6 kilometres from the centre of Jelenia Góra in the Jelenia Góra Valley.
- From Wrocław: allow around two hours by car, depending on traffic and the route.
- From Prague: the shortest road route is approximately 160 kilometres and, without major delays, takes around 2 hours and 10 minutes. Some journey planners calculate 170–180 km depending on the chosen route.
- By car from Jelenia Góra: when arriving from Jelenia Góra, the recommended route is via Mickiewicza Street. From Karpacz or Szklarska Poręba, drive via Sosnówka and Jeleniogórska Street.
Parking
Parking is located directly within the resort and does not need to be reserved in advance. With the standard flexible offer, it currently costs PLN 39 per car per night.
Skiing nearby
The thermal resort is also a good choice for a winter stay because several ski areas are within a reasonable driving distance.
- Winterpol Biały Jar: approximately 10 km,
- Karpacz Ski Arena: approximately 11 km,
- Karpatka: approximately 12 km,
- Szrenica Ski Arena: approximately 22 km.
Combining a morning of skiing with an evening in the outdoor thermal pool is, in my view, one of the strongest reasons to consider Termy Karkonosze in winter.
What to visit near Termy Karkonosze
- Jelenia Góra: the historic centre is approximately 6 km away. Its arcaded market square, town hall and pleasant central streets are worth visiting.
- Karpacz: the best-known Polish mountain resort in this part of the Giant Mountains offers cable cars, hiking trails, restaurants and routes towards Śnieżka.
- Wang Church: this unique wooden Norwegian church is one of Karpacz’s best-known sights.
- Chojnik Castle: the ruins stand high on a rocky hill above Sobieszów and make one of the most attractive shorter trips around Jelenia Góra.
- Cieplice Śląskie-Zdrój: Jelenia Góra’s historic spa district, with a park and the public Termy Cieplickie complex.
- Dolina Pałaców i Ogrodów: the Jelenia Góra Valley is known for its remarkable concentration of castles, palaces and former aristocratic residences.
- Szklarska Poręba: this mountain town is a good starting point for visiting the Szklarka and Kamieńczyk waterfalls or hiking along the Giant Mountains ridge.
You can find more inspiration in our article about the best wellness hotels in Karpacz.
Practical tips before your stay
- If wellness is your main reason for travelling, I would book a room in the main hotel. You can reach the thermal zone without going outside.
- The villas provide more space, but you must walk outdoors. This is more noticeable in winter than in summer.
- The 13+ zone is not adults only. Guests aged 13 and over may stay there.
- Do not automatically expect a hot tub with a 13+ apartment. The hot tubs on the terraces of individual buildings belong to the traditional villa zone.
- Keep your swimwear on in the sauna. It is compulsory throughout the pool area, including the saunas.
- From 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the wellness area is for guests aged 18+ only. If you are travelling as a couple, I would certainly make use of this period.
- Non-residents have the easiest access from Monday to Thursday. The current Day Spa admission is PLN 80 per adult.
- Check the ZEN pool outside the main season. The website describes it as year-round but also mentions opening from 1 May.
- Rooms in the hotel are cleaned daily; villas are normally cleaned every third day.
- An additional towel may cost extra. The pool rules list a PLN 20 charge for more than one towel per person.
- I would pack my own bathrobe. Several recent guest reviews mention a charge for bathrobe rental, although this amount is not part of the stable public price list.
- Compare the hotel, villas and 13+ zone before booking. These are not merely different room types but quite different ways to experience the resort.
FAQ – frequently asked questions about Termy Karkonosze
Is Termy Karkonosze a genuine thermal spa?
Yes. The resort uses a genuine deep source of thermal water in Staniszów. The ST-1 borehole is approximately 1,580 metres deep, and the water is around 37 °C at the outlet.
How warm is the water at Termy Karkonosze?
Temperatures in the individual thermal pools and hot tubs range from approximately 34 to 40 °C. The natural water from the borehole is approximately 37 °C at the outlet.
Can people who are not staying at the resort visit Termy Karkonosze?
Yes. The current Day Spa price list allows separate access to the pool and sauna area from Monday to Thursday between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
How much does admission to Termy Karkonosze cost?
Day Spa admission for non-residents currently costs PLN 80 per adult and PLN 40 per child. Children under four enter free. Hotel guests have access to the pool zone included in the price of their stay.
What are the thermal pools’ opening hours?
The pool and sauna area is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. From 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., only guests aged 18 and over are admitted.
Are the saunas at Termy Karkonosze textile-free?
No. Quite the opposite: according to the current rules, swimwear is compulsory throughout the pool hall, including the sauna section.
Is Termy Karkonosze suitable for children?
Yes. The resort has a children’s pool, Kids’ Club, outdoor playground, a games room with PlayStation consoles and entertainment programmes during selected periods. After 8:00 p.m., however, the wellness area is for adults only.
Is the entire resort five-star?
No. The main hotel section has a five-star classification. The villa section and the 13+ zone are listed in the booking system as uncategorised accommodation.
How much does parking cost?
With the standard flexible offer, parking currently costs PLN 39 per car per night. Conditions may vary with certain seasonal packages.
What is the best way to reach Termy Karkonosze from abroad?
For most international visitors, the simplest options are to fly to Wrocław and continue by rental car, or to drive from Prague or Dresden. Jelenia Góra is the nearest major town, approximately 6 kilometres from the resort.
Which is better, the hotel or a villa?
For a wellness stay, I would choose the main hotel because it is directly connected to the thermal area. The villas provide more apartment space and their own facilities, but reaching the pools requires walking outdoors.
Photos of Termy Karkonosze Resort & Spa in Poland
Discounted stay: 5-star hotel and attractive villas in the Polish Giant Mountains, with breakfast or half board and access to the thermal-water wellness area.
Photo sources: termykarkonosze.pl | booking.com | slevomat.cz
