Hotel Thermal has started the renovation of the pool, which is expected to be completed by summer

Karlovy Vary – The Karlovy Vary hotel Thermal started today with the reconstruction of the hotel pool. This continues the overall renovation of the spa hotel, which is state-owned. Hotel Thermal is currently closed and is expected to remain so until May of next year, said CTK director Vladimír Novák.

"By closing the hotel until May and not accepting bookings, we are trying to use this time for modernization. By the festival, we should have most of the rooms with new windows and balcony doors, and the entire so-called envelope of the hotel should look like it did in 1977. We should also have a functional pool and pool technology, including accessories and an outdoor garden by the festival," Novák said. However, if the weather does not cooperate, it may happen that some deadlines will not be met, he added.

In the first phase, the pool complex will begin with clearance work and the dismantling of technology. "So far, we have cleared valuable artifacts from the premises, and in the coming days, external work will begin, meaning roof repairs, terraces, glass replacement, or insulation," Novák stated. The actual construction of the new technology, pool, and interiors should begin around mid-January of next year, depending on the outcome of the supplier selection process.

The hotel, which was built with the intention of hosting the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, recently completed the modernization of technologies in the building. In the coming days, the repair of the hotel tower's exterior will begin.

The pool reconstruction project preserves four 25-meter swimming lanes, and about one-third of the pool will be filled with spring water. This part will not be for swimming but for relaxation. Because the two types of water cannot be mixed, the two parts of the pool will be structurally separated. The pool basin itself will be replaced with a stainless steel tub, even after consulting with conservationists. However, the surrounding area of the pool will maintain its original ceramic appearance.

Initial estimates for the cost of the pool reconstruction were 110 million crowns. After clarifications made during the investigation of the actual condition of the building, the estimates are now around 140 million crowns.

The overall reconstruction of the Thermal hotel and the external pool complex aims to preserve as much of the original appearance designed by the Machonins as possible. For this reason, each phase of the reconstruction is preceded by careful collection of all the details that can be reused after the repairs, whether it is construction elements, design furnishings, or even details like the original font (characters) used in the hotel's signage system and room numbers.

The total reconstruction of the Thermal hotel is expected to cost around 580 million, according to the original specifications, with the state contributing 300 million through its stake in the hotel's equity. An additional 148 million has been secured for energy savings from the State Environmental Fund, and the remainder will be covered by a loan.