Swiss youth hostel gives budget travellers the spa treatment

A youth hostel fitted out with jacuzzis, herbal steam baths and hydromassage facilities has opened in a Swiss alpine village, declaring itself the first "wellness hostel" in the world.

WellnessHostel 4000, in the glacier village of Saas-Fee in the canton of Valais, still offers the traditional hostel features of dormitories, bunk beds and shared showers. But typical forms of entertainment - shared televisions and poorly stocked bars - have been replaced by hot tubs and a tapas bar.

Manager Denise Emmerich said: "We have been open for just over two weeks and have seen a mix of guests through our doors, such as ski teams, older people, as well as groups of young people who are more or less looking for cheap accommodation.

"When you go to a hostel you expect it - how can I say it? - to not be anything like a hotel.

"But we have fitness and wellness facilities, a swimming pool, as well as a pool table and ping pong table."