Saltwater, Brine & Sea: Swim in hotel pools without chemicals Marilou Cabatingan, 05/01/202508/15/2025 It sounds good: bathing in salt instead of chlorine. Environmentally friendly and good for your skin. But it’s not quite true. What many people may not know is that salt itself contains chlorine! But because it is not in its pure form, it is actually better. Using natural hotel pools as an example, we will explain why. Of course, we will also introduce you to sustainable accommodations where you can dive with a clear conscience. The problem with chlorine in swimming pool water Chlorine is a powerful disinfectant. It kills bacteria, viruses, and algae in the water, thus protecting the hygiene and health of swimmers. Despite filtration systems, the closed system of a swimming pool is susceptible to pathogenic microorganisms. So there is a good reason to add chlorine. But there are also “side effects”. You probably think of the chemical smell of chlorine that we associate with a trip to the pool, and perhaps of irritated skin and dried-out, straw-like hair. But chlorine is not good for the environment. Chlorinated pool water can harm plants and microorganisms and must never be allowed to enter groundwater, but must be disposed of through the sewer system. So it is understandable that pool operators committed to sustainability are looking for alternatives. They are looking for a way to keep the water hygienic and germ-free without chemicals. Alternatives to a chlorinated pool Couple swimming in the natural bathing pond The most ecological of all is the swimming pond The most environmentally friendly solution is a natural swimming pond. Aquatic plants and animals thrive in such ponds, and you can enjoy both swimming fun and biodiversity! It does not need chlorine or other additives because it regulates the water quality itself as a biotope. However, it is important that the pond is large enough to reach its equilibrium. We have already presented the most beautiful hotels with natural pools in our blog. But many hotels also have an indoor pool. Here, the South Tyrolean hotel LA VIMEA shows how both can work in an environmentally friendly way: with a natural swimming pond outside and a saltwater pool inside. How does a saltwater pool work? A saltwater pool is not the same as a seawater pool. Rather, it is a pool of ordinary water to which simple table salt has been added. Table salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl), is made up of the elements sodium and chlorine. In salt water chlorination systems, electricity breaks down the salt in the water to produce chlorine, which disinfects the water. How is this different from traditional pool chemicals? The chlorine is produced on-site, in much lower concentrations, and dissipates more quickly. No pungent odor, no burning eyes – just a more pleasant swimming experience. That is why many sustainable hotels rely on this gentle alternative. hotels with saltwater pools Saltwater pool in the hotel As mentioned above, there is an indoor saltwater pool at the LA VIMEA Hotel in Naturno, South Tyrol. The hotel is an adults-only retreat and was the first all vegan hotel in Italy. Here you can relax with wellness, healthy and creative plant-based cuisine, an extensive morning and evening yoga program, and the opportunity to explore South Tyrol on the hotel’s e-bikes. On the Seiser Alm, also in South Tyrol, is the Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel, which is also completely vegan. At over 2,000 meters you will find yourself in the middle of the beautiful Dolomites. In summer you can go mountain biking and hiking, while in winter you are right on the ski slopes. Afterwards, you can relax in the indoor saltwater pool overlooking the countryside, in the outdoor whirlpool, or in the sauna. The hotel also has an artists’ circle and regularly hosts contemporary art exhibitions. Is a brine bath the same as a saltwater pool? Deferegger healing water brine bath Not really. A saltwater pool is just like a normal swimming pool, with a low concentration of salt, between 0.5% and 0.9%, which is used to disinfect the water. You can swim and splash in it for as long as you like. A brine pool, on the other hand, is used for medical and healing purposes and has a much higher salt concentration of over 2%. You should not bathe in a saltwater pool for more than 30 minutes at a time and then rest for a while (without showering) to allow the minerals to be absorbed into your skin. Bathing in salt water is good for your skin and joints, but it is not a substitute for a traditional swimming pool. It is more of a “relaxing spa treatment”. Floating in the Alpen Soledom At the Klosterhof Alpine Hideaway & Spa in Bavaria, Germany, you can relax in the Alpine Sole. The water comes from a healing spring in the town of Bad Reichenhall, where brine has formed over 250 million years, enriching the spring water. The water has a salt content of 12% (for comparison: a saltwater pool has >1%, the Atlantic Ocean 3.5% and the Dead Sea 30%). At Alpen Soledom you can float at a pleasant temperature of 35°C and you can book a completely private time for yourself or together with your partner. Bathing in a Deferegger healing brine bath The Naturhotel Outside in East Tyrol also uses natural healing waters. The first brine bath with Deferegg healing water was opened here at the end of 2024. The salt content is about 3.25% (roughly calculated on the basis of the data provided). This makes it comparable to seawater, but with a different composition. The 600,000-year-old healing water from St. Jakob will be piped about 30 kilometers to the Naturhotel Outside, where it will be used in the new Nature Spa. Sea and pool at the same time: is that possible? A bathing experience that couldn’t be closer to nature is right on the doorstep of the OCÉANO Health Spa Hotel. A public seawater pool. It is separated from the open sea only by a curved stone barrier. So why not just swim in the sea? Simply because the seabed in Tenerife is often rocky and the waves are very strong. The seawater pool, on the other hand, offers protection and a relaxed entry area. So you can enjoy the benefits of the sea without any worries. A visit to OCÉANO is worthwhile not only for this reason, but also for the extensive health and wellness offerings, including detox cures and thalassotherapy – and, of course, for the hotel’s sustainable approach. Chemicals are largely avoided, more than 50 percent of the hot water is produced by solar panels, and there are mango and avocado trees on the property, the fruits of which will soon be featured in the hotel’s delicious breakfast buffet. The breathtaking landscape of Tenerife adds the finishing touch to a dream vacation on the island. Enjoy the advantages of the sea in the seawater pool of Océano Hotel Health Spa Conclusion: natural bathing without a cloud of chlorine Whether saltwater pool, brine pool or real seawater – there are many ways to avoid the classic chemical club when swimming. It’s often not possible to do without chlorine altogether, but there is significantly less of it in natural alternatives – and you can expect more comfort for your skin, eyes and the environment. So if you are looking for a gentle bathing experience on your next vacation, it’s worth taking a look at sustainable hotels with alternative pool concepts. And maybe you will soon find yourself in the warm salt water of a mineral spring – or swimming directly in the Atlantic, just a few rocks away from the open sea. Lifestyle