Young Russians Trade Party Trips for Spa Retreats – Sanatoriums Are the New Hot Spot

Forget clubbing marathons and backpacking hostels. Russia’s Gen Z is trading in the chaos for calm, flocking to the country’s classic sanatoriums in droves this spring. A new study from travel service OneTwoTrip, obtained by Lenta.ru, reveals that bookings for sanatoriums and spa hotels among 18-to-25-year-olds jumped 15.5% year-over-year.

The average nightly rate now sits at 14,800 rubles – up 4.6% from last year – but young travelers don’t seem to mind. Top destinations include the Krasnodar region, Pyatigorsk, Lipetsk, Zelenogradsk and Svetlogorsk. But the real breakout spots this season? Think Dorokhovo, Istra, Taganrog and Inozemtsevo. Newcomers like Maykop, Bratsk and Staraya Matsesta are also climbing the list.

So what’s behind the pivot? Experts point to a major rebrand of the old-school sanatorium. Today’s versions are sleek wellness hotels with modern design, full spa complexes, fitness centers and flexible stay packages. Guests can take yoga, Pilates or meditation classes. Olga Nart, deputy director of the Luchi resort, says that’s exactly what lured Gen Z in. “Over 70% of young people now rank mental health as a top priority,” she explains. “They want restorative, low-key escapes.”

It’s a sharp turn from the earlier fan-voyage trend – short, event-driven trips packed with adrenaline. But for now, the sanatorium is winning hearts, one mineral bath at a time.