Park Igls Medical Spa Retreat Review & Information

Park Igls Health Retreat is an award-winning medical spa and wellness resort located in the village of Igls, near Innsbruck, Austria. The resort is in a serene natural setting surrounded by the majestic Tyrolean Mountains. It is a place for anyone wanting to get back to feeling 100% and wanting to connect with nature. They offer a wide range of holistic health programmes and treatments to help guests improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through Modern Mayr Medicine.

The Modern Mayr clinic features a medical spa and a team of experienced medical professionals who specialise in preventative medicine, detoxification, weight loss, and stress reduction. The programmes offered at the resort are tailor-made to meet the specific needs of individual guests and are designed to help them achieve their health goals. Park Igls was not like any experience that I have had before and was one of the best medical spas that I have visited.

Nearly every guest that I spoke to was a regular and visited the health retreat at least once a year with some coming for over 25 years. No wonder why they recently won as the world’s best integrated health resort at the Conde Nast Traveller Wellness & Spa Awards 2023.

Park Igls Health Retreat, Innsbruck, Austria

Why I was at Park Igls Health Retreat

Going to a medical retreat had never crossed my mind until recently when I had a cardiac arrest and my ICD shocked me back into rhythm. I was a bit of a mess, to be honest, and it was suggested to me to spend a week at the Park Igls Mayr Clinic. I was told I would learn about Modern Mayr Medicine and how it can improve not just my health but change my mindset on the way I ate.

While I’ll never be 100%, I wanted to be able to feel the best I could while living with heart disease and a pacemaker and ICD. My week at Park Igls Medical Mayr clinic was definitely a game changer and I went away feeling the best I have ever felt in 4 years since being diagnosed. Here are the steps to take travelling and flying with a pacemaker/ICD.

What is the Mayr Medicine method?

Modern Mayr Medicine, also known as the Mayr Cure or Mayr Therapy, is a holistic medical approach that focuses on the health of the digestive system and its impact on overall well-being. It is named after Dr Franz Xaver Mayr, an Austrian physician who developed the original Mayr Cure in the early 20th century.

The core principle of Modern Mayr Medicine is based on the idea that a lot of health problems originate from poor digestion, inefficient detoxification, and imbalances in the gut. It emphasizes the role of the gut in maintaining good health and treating various ailments. What I found valuable was learning how to properly chew your food to activate saliva which is beneficial for digestion. Everything was about chew chew chew and slowly not rushing.

The main goals of Modern Mayr Medicine include Cleansing and detoxification, resting the digestive system, correcting dietary habits and improving a healthy gut. Days consisted of Kneipp therapy, heated compresses and drinking base broth in the morning. Then drinking healthy herbal teas and water throughout the day between treatments and exercise.

Enjoying the ‘Milde Johanna’ fruit tea one of the many herbal teas offered at Park Igls

Individual Programmes

Modern Mayr Medicine takes a personalized approach to treatment and all therapies at Park Igls are individually tailored for all guests. An in-depth preliminary examination is completed when guests arrive by one of the doctors.

This allows the team to ascertain the physical condition and any possible risk factors the guest may have. It also takes into consideration the individual’s unique health profile, medical history, and specific needs. Then they combine medical evaluations, diagnostics, and therapeutic interventions tailored to the individual before you and the Mayr physician discuss which treatment and measures would most benefit you.

After your visit, you will be given a personal report on your progress during your stay and helpful information on how to continue keeping healthy.

Modern Mayr Cuisine

Park Igls offers the finest in modern Mayr cuisine using local organic produce. Head chef Markus Sorg and his team put their own spin on the meals creating tasty explosions. Even the soups every day were varied, delicious and tasty. Gentle cooking is used to retain the nutrients and herbs and spices that cleverly replace salt. I didn’t even notice that I wasn’t using salt or pepper in my meals.

There are eight levels of modern Mayr diet and most people I spoke to were either on levels 2-4. The original hard fasting options are (0-1), which is rarely used. Each meal is complemented by a glass of water with 15 drops of bittertropfen that stimulate biliary flow. I would joke that it looked like a glass of white wine!

Some of my delicious Mayr cuisine

Lunch and dinner always consist of different soups first with your choice of protein option. As well as a mini bread roll or the Kostner crackers served on the side. Lunchtime, however for levels 4 and above will also receive additional food combinations. You’ll even enjoy a healthy dessert on levels 6 and 7, as well as carbs of some sort.

I was impressed and surprised that even though I was only eating 3 times a day, I never felt hungry. I started on level 3 until I saw the Dr then moved to 4 before going up to 7 for the last day.

Overview of dietary levels

0 Fasting (Tea)
1 Traditional Mayr diet
2 Traditional Mayr diet + protein supplement
3 Traditional Mayr diet +protein supplement + base vegetable soup
4 Modern Mayr diet + food combining menu
5 Modern Mayr diet + light diet menu
6 Modern Mayr diet +light diet menu + salad or dessert
7 Mayr energy diet

Park Igls resort amenities

Park Igls has a contemporary design and a cosy feel about it. You feel relaxed as soon as you walk through the hotel doors. It is certainly the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and just take time out for yourself. The main hub of the resort is on the ground floor with a library, billiard room, lounge, tea bar, conference/lecture theatre and shop.

Plus an indoor swimming pool, saunas that include an infrared sauna and indoor and outdoor loungers popular with the guests. Medical reception, consultant and massage rooms are also on the same floor.

Indoor swimming pool and sauna area

Hotel Restaurant

The restaurant is located on the ground floor as well. The Mayr dietary meals are served 3 times a day. Guests sit in an intimate dining room with views of Igls gardens. Every guest has their own allocated table, in which you keep your bittertrophen drops and Kostner biscuits placed. All you do for each meal is sit down and then someone will come over and serve you.

Breakfast 7.15am – 10 am
Lunch 12 noon – 1.30 pm
Dinner 6 pm – 7 pm

Bath department

The bath department on the second floor is home to the compresses, wraps, packs, body treatments and consultant’s rooms. As well as the Kneipp therapy and heated compresses area that is used every day by the guests from 7.30 to 11.30 am.

Panorama gym

The panorama Gym has impressive views across the mountains on the 3^rd floor that is open every day. This state-of-the-art gym has everything from running machines, and weights to exercise balls. Staff are available if you need a hand with the equipment or if you want to book a personal training session.

Group sessions, including yoga, pilates, morning workouts and Kybun training (exercising on soft surfaces that challenge balance) are held in the fitness studio in the basement.

Having my morning Kneipp therapy in the bath department.

Park Igls Rooms

Park Igls rooms are generous in size and comfortable, with each room featuring modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and safes. Specially made pillows are also provided to help with a better night’s sleep. Rooms also had their own private balconies facing the village, gardens or mountains. Two of the rooms at Park Igls are wheelchair accessible too.

The bathrooms suites had separate baths and showers and, in some cases, their own infrared saunas. Organic soap and shampoo/shower gel were supplied as guests are asked not to use moisturiser during their stay so they wouldn’t interfere with the detox process.

My room was a deluxe single on the 4^th floor and I had the most amazing view of the Alps from my balcony and from the bathtub. Every night after dinner, I would come back to my room, relax, read and watch the sunset. Bathrobe and slippers are also provided in your room.

One of the rooms overlooking the village of Igls, Austria

How to get to Park Igls

Park Igls is only a 10 minute drive from Innsbruck city and is easily accessible by car, bus or train. Free underground parking is available for hotel guests if driving. Guests are provided with a complimentary transfer from the airport or station if they are flying or catching a train into Innsbruck.

Innsbruck Airport is only 7 km (15 mins), Salzburg Airport 180 km (90 mins) and Munich Airport is 200 km (120 mins). Easyjet has several direct flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck Airport all year round. During the winter season, BA offers flights from both Heathrow and Gatwick to cater to the skiing guests.

Park Igls address, Igler Strasse 51, 6080 Innsbruck-Igls, Austria

Organised group activities

The Park Igls team organises weekly trips to local attractions for an additional fee, like Alpenzoo Innsbruck and Ambras Castle. The list of trips is on the weekly programmes and next to the reception desk. All you have to do is put your name down to attend.

Guided walks and e-biking are also offered in the programme during the summer and spring seasons. As well as daily evening group walks before dinner for the guests. I found this a great way to exercise, get familiar with your surroundings and meet other guests.

Things to do locally in Igls Village

If you don’t want to do any of the organised group activities, you can easily do things solo in Igls. The health retreat is surrounded by forest and the Tyrolean Mountains making it ideal for outdoor activities. In the summer you can enjoy running, walking and mountain bike riding. In the winter, downhill skiing at the local resort ski resort, Patscherkofelbahnen is also an option. All are right on Park Igls’ Mayr clinic front hotel doorstep.

Local walking in Igls during spring

Walking routes Igls in Summer

Just near the health retreat are 7 marked routes that are defined by colour and distance. A lot of the guests would go walking here in the morning or in the afternoon solo or with other guests. It was my favourite thing to do while at Park Igls, especially as it was spring and the flowers were out.

I did a part of the Sittschlucht-Trail that took you to the summit of Viller Kopf just above Lan Sersee Lake. Lots of guests like to walk to Lans Village or Lanser See (Lake), which was only a couple of kilometres.

On the other side of the Igls village is Patscherkofel Cable Car which opens for summer at the end of May. It will give you access to additional hiking and walking trails.

Getting from Park Igls to Innsbruck by Bus

Guests receive a free bus card to use if they are staying longer than 3 nights at the resort. Getting from Park Igls to Innsbruck and back again is relevantly easy. The bus runs regularly every 10 or 15 minutes and stops at the front of the Bakery.

One of the most popular attractions in Innsbruck is Golden Roof in the old town. It is only 10 stops (20 mins) on the bus to Maria-Theresien-Strabe. I went to Nordkette Cable Car and wandered around the old town Innsbruck in the afternoons, after my appointments.

Additional Information about visiting the Park Igls

Park Igls App; Download the Park Igls app to keep track of your appointments and see the daily programmes.

What’s included: Depending on the type of programme you choose, they all include transfers, full board and selective treatments.

Length of stay; While 7 days is a good start, ideally 10 days or more is much more beneficial.

Parking; For Guests that are driving there is an underground car park that can be used for the duration of the stay.

The tourist Information Office is located in the centre of the town, only 5 minutes walk from Park Igls.

The views from riding the exercise bike in the panorama gym Park Igls Austria

Final Thoughts

It is no hidden secret that I am sick every other week and it has a lot to do with my heart disease and the medication that I take. After my stay I went away feeling incredible, I didn’t feel sluggish, tired, or even bloated. Instead, I felt like I wanted to hike up a steep mountain again, something I haven’t been able to do since being diagnosed. Because of this it also improved my mental health.

I completely understand why guests keep coming back every year and why they have such strong customer loyalty. While there were a lot of solo guests at the health retreat, there were just as many couples. There wasn’t one guest that I spoke to who had a bad thing to say about Park Igls but instead praised the retreat.

Since being back I have started doing some parts of the Mayr cure at home, like having the broth and making soups. I have even got my husband onto the soups. It has made me look at being healthier with a different approach. Park Igls Medical Spa Retreat was an amazing experience and I highly recommend it. Not to forget the medical experts and the staff were all extremely nice and would not hesitate to go out of their way for you.

You don’t have to be sick to go there, it is for anyone wanting to relax and get the best out of their health. Sometimes everyone needs a bit of me time in life and this is the place for it.

What to take to Park Igls

Swimwear: Take a swimsuit for the indoor pool, sauna rooms and the programmes water activities, aqua jogging.

Walking shoes: To be used around Igls village and for going into Innsbruck. During the summer they can be used for walks around the area. I wear Merrell Low Rise Hiking Shoes, which are comfortable and lightweight.

Books: Take a few good books you have been wanting to read with you to enjoy between appointments.

Gym gear: To use for programmes activities, relaxation and walking. I wore my gym gear most of the time I was there.