Like you may have noticed, the 28°C/85°F temperatures didn’t exactly incite me to post during the past week. With a violent thunderstorm ending the fun tonight, I will share a day of unashamed pampering in the sun with you all. And pampering was definitely on the menu, over at Kouros (do check out their website in English), Antwerp’s most exclusive male-only ’sauna and leisure club’. Kouros is a refreshing breath of fresh air compared with the (often rightfully earned) sleazy reputation of “male-only saunas”. This particular place not only oozes with class but manages to provide its services as if they all came out of a well-prepared package deal: dining along the outside pool, a wine label of their own, top quality service and infrastructure in what used to be a classic green suburbia mansion.
I talked for hours to some amazingly interesting people (many were not local, several spoke a multitude of languages) until the first drops of rain hit the outside hot-tub, not really a problem since we were all wet anyway. Diner was equally superb, turning the day into a real experience. If you’re even in the neighborhood, this place is worth checking out. Being gay is not a requirement, being male is 
This blog is not affiliated with or endorsed by the city of Antwerp, Belgium.
I’ve got a strap-on, will that get me in?
Seriously though Peter, Turkish baths?? Cozy bar with an open fireplace??! Outdoor Sauna?? The place is absolutely gorgeous. No wonder you were in your bliss. WOW! It’s like Nirvana for gay guys. I’m jealous.
♥ you.
Comment by Claudia — May 15, 2008 @ 1:14 am
Claudia, they do feel that having a great gay break works best with a ‘no females’ admission limitation. You know the fag-hag issues at some places? While it’s often fun to have a mixed crowd, it does cause issues at times.
Kouros (a 10 min drive) is the best of its kind in Belgium, and yes, on this last 82°F day I indulged in some luxury
Comment by Peter - blog author — May 15, 2008 @ 1:42 am
Too bad you didn’t bring your camera. * snort, snicker * I would have loved to see the, ahem, scenery. Yeah, the scenery.
[Blog author comment: "I do have some cellphone garden shots Claudia, although cameras are basically not allowed inside the grounds
"]
Comment by Claudia — May 15, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
So we, women, are obliged to go to Brasschaats Badhuis. Not bad either. Even though they do tolerate men.
[Blog author: "You do have a point Marijke: I often wondered why only gay men have "men only" bathhouses
"]
Comment by marijke — May 15, 2008 @ 4:02 pm
That looks positively heavenly! Pretty cool that they have guys-only spots like that. Extra cool that you got to spend time there! I spent some time over the weekend with a couple gay friends of mine, and one of their (as you say) fag-hag friends. Wow. I can see how having an all-male environment could be much more peaceful.
I also love that Claudia admitted to owning a strap-on, right here in your comments. That’s why I love her (for both owning one and admitting it).
[Blog author comment:"Same feeling here Granola-grrrl: I love Claudia's righ-in-your-face honnesty
AS for the gay garden-sauna: yes, sometimes is does feel great to live in a gay world, if only for a couple of hours 
"]
Comment by Granola-grrrl — May 15, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
That does look like a nice peaceful retreat! And to be in the company of interesting, intelligent folks and have fine dining–perfect!
Comment by Shirley — May 17, 2008 @ 5:36 am
It looks awfully crowded around the little pool. And that David statue is so small, is that to cheer you guys up? lol
[Blog author comment: "This shot does give a distorted impression Manictastic: that garden is very deep, sloping and can hold 100 sun loungers. The David statue is my size. But do check it out yourself
"]
Comment by Manictastic — May 17, 2008 @ 1:42 pm
Lol, and Manic … what say you?
It looks heavenly Peter. I’m glad you had a great time.
Oh and I went to the doctor’s, must write
Comment by Di — May 17, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
Glad to saw an MD Di - I just checked your blog and found out.
As for Kouros: now that the cheaper open-air pool alternatives have opened, the weather’s no longer inviting.
I also got a new snapshot camera, with 200+ nightshots of the ‘Sinksenfoor’ Antwerp 2008 funfair opening
(trying to turn them into a blogpost, I started to realize how long it takes processing 8 MPixel shots… - post coming up asap!)
Comment by Peter - blog author — May 17, 2008 @ 10:34 pm
Manic, you totally crack me up!
Peter, I’m glad you had this experience. You needed that!
[Blog autohor coment: "Thanks Veronica! It felt like a vacation in Italy for an afternoon: the company, the weather, the environment: all just perfect. It's no longer 85°F, but I will visit again" ]
Comment by V-Grrrl — May 18, 2008 @ 7:29 pm