In Karlovy Vary, the future of Elisabeth's Spa will be discussed

Karlovy Vary - In Karlovy Vary, today, council members and the public will discuss the future of Elizabeth Spa. The municipal spa has long been operating at a loss and needs investments likely exceeding one billion crowns. Two potential buyers are interested in Elizabeth Spa. The Hilton hotel chain wants to build a hotel there. The second interested party, Grandhotel Pupp, would maintain the spa services and offer them to nearby hotels. However, there is also the possibility that the city will not sell the monument-protected building in the city center. A decision regarding the spa's fate is not expected today, but the discussion should allow for an assessment of the options from various perspectives.

According to Mayor Andrea Pfeffer Ferklová (ANO), it is appropriate for everyone to hear the widest range of arguments before the council members make a decision on the final variant. The city leadership would like to have clarity by the beginning of next year at the latest.

At the September council meeting, both interested parties, Hilton and Pupp, presented their proposals on how to utilize Elizabeth Spa. Both plans require massive investments, and both also include the acquisition of the historic spa.

Elizabeth Spa is a joint-stock company fully owned by the city. However, the city gives 20 million crowns annually just to maintain operations, primarily for the salaries of about forty employees. There is no money left for necessary investments in repairs or modernization. Consequently, Elizabeth Spa has accumulated losses exceeding 100 million.