It was one of those long, overnight, blurred travel days that only flight attendants truly understand.
After an overnight flight from New York to Milan, a long delay before we’d even taken off, and a sluggish ride through Milan’s traffic, my best friend and I finally reached our hotel at 3:30 p.m.
We’d been awake for almost 24 hours, but we had plans – we knew where we were headed straight out without sleep – to QC Terme Milano.
First Impressions of QC Terme Milano
Our colleague had mentioned it at the beginning of the flight, and something inside me said, “Yes, that’s exactly what I need today.” I booked our entrance tickets the moment we deplaned, grateful we’d managed to snag a last-minute spot at the spa.
We showered off the airplane grime, pulled our hair into buns, and ordered a cab. The spa was only about two miles away, but it felt like it was a world away. When we arrived, a grand old mansion stood to greet us.
In the entrance, the air was perfumed with a scent we couldn’t place, a lovely room that felt cozy, with plants and bookshelves. Without hesitation, a staff member greeted us, and guided us over to a sleek digital check-in screen.
We paid the cost, which converted to $142 USD each, and included a full-day entry, a 25-minute massage, and their “wellness journey,” which included a half-hour buffet of prosecco, fruit, cheese, and other nibbles. “Be in the dining room at 6:30 sharp,” we were told.
It was a Thursday, late afternoon, a perfect October day. The weather was in the 70’s and I longed to be outside. Fresh air doesn’t come as often as I’d like it to as an international flight attendant.
We paused to take in the grand hallway with marble floors and high ceilings, and a friendly young attendant pointed us to “upstairs for massages, downstairs for steam and sensory rooms, outside for the jacuzzi pool and train sauna.”
We were supplied with flip flops, and a robe, and changed into our bathing suits.
A Secret Garden in the City
As soon as we stepped outside, we felt like we were in a secret garden. Ancient Spanish walls encircled the property, with high rises looming above, feeling completely out of place.
Comfy couches sat under umbrellas, surrounded by the Darsena Gardens, a completely private place to relax. Closeby, a converted Porta Romana Tram transformed into a sauna, our first experience of the afternoon. Our shoulders relaxed into the warmth.
The Outdoor Pool
We then slipped into what looked like a large outdoor pool, a thermal bath, warm and bubbling. Around the corner, we’d found another whirlpool that we saved for the last experience of the day – the historic “thousand blue bubbles pool.”
We lost track of time as we floated, letting the heat loosen the knots in our backs. When we finally ventured inside, it was then that we realized that we had barely just begun our experience.
A Maze of Sensory Rooms
On the lower level, we started peeking into glass doors to see what the rooms had to offer, and there were a maze of sensory rooms – some starlit, one with softly moving waterbeds, a butterfly room, and rooms glowing with color.
There was a whimsical “birdhouse” room, softly filled with red, with birdsong playing and a circular couch made for sinking into.
The more we wandered around, the more we realized how many unique rooms there were, not to mention the ones we’d expected – the salt room, rainfall corridors, cascading waterfalls, and cold plunge pools.
What amazed me the most was the serenity. Even though the spa was busy, it never felt crowded. We often had entire rooms or the steam areas to ourselves. The eucalyptus smells in the steam room were divine, scents we found out later that they sold in their lobby shop.
The Buffet
At 6:30 pm, we made our way straight to the buffet, where flutes of prosecco and small jars of fruit, cheese, and small savory bites waited to feed our empty bellies.
We wandered through a few more rooms until 7:30 pm, when I headed upstairs for my massage. I’d only secured a 25-minute slot due to my late booking, but it was perfect. More tension dissolved from the flight, and I walked out floating, trying to decide what I wanted to experience next.
We left about 8:30 p.m., stepping out into the evening air with damp air and heavy eyelids. Back at the hotel, I fell asleep instantly, the faint scent of eucalyptus still clinging to my skin.
I went to the spa tired, curious, and running on caffeine. I left completely restored after just four hours, proof that the best travel moments aren’t always about chasing sights, but about finally slowing down enough to truly take it in.
Tips for Visiting QC Terme Milano
If you plan to visit QC Terme, there are many locations scattered throughout Italy. Visit on a weekday for a more tranquil experience.
Pricing is reasonable, with options to fit nearly any budget, and even the day pass alone is worth every Euro.
Be mindful of spa etiquette:
- Arrive on time
- Hang your robe in designated spots, and keep track of which one is yours
- Keep voices low, and move gently through the spaces
- Use the towel they provide to put down in the saunas before you sit
- Tip your massage therapist for exceptional service
- And lastly, be mindful of how you use your phone
The spa suggested you use the time for a digital detox, but also stated that, as long as you were mindful of other’s privacy, you could use your phone.
As a photographer, I couldn’t resist taking photos – it was too beautiful. But silence is golden. I never heard a phone ring, nor a conversation take place once.
QC Terme Milano isn’t just a spa: it’s a gentle reminder of how deeply healing stillness can be. For those of us who live in constant motion, measured in time zones and takeoffs, it’s a sanctuary worth seeking out, even if only for an afternoon.
Next time I touch down in Milan, I know where I’ll be headed. There’s a cascading waterfall waiting, whispering my name.
Sherry Martin Peters is an international flight attendant, adventure elopement photographer, and author of ELOPE, A Modern Elopement Guide for the Free Spirited and Adventurous. She is the founder and creator of Atlas + Wild, an upcoming travel platform that curates unique stays and adventurous escapes worldwide. She is passionate about experiential travel, intentional living and uncovering quiet beauty in wild corners of the world.
With over 25 years in the skies, Sherry Martin Peters has explored more than 60 countries as an international flight attendant for a major U.S. carrier. When she’s not flying, she’s photographing elopements in breathtaking landscapes, promoting her book, booking meaningful travel, and spending time with her husband and two cats.
