Venue: The SaunaClub EL HAREM is located in the municipality of Kirchberg, in the Swiss canton of St. Gallen. However, it is actually situated just a few meters from the border with the canton of Thurgau, on the outskirts of a small town called Rickenbach (while the distance from the center of Kirchberg is 4 km). From the outside, it appears as an industrial warehouse (partly shared with a car dealership), very anonymous, except for the large sign on one side and the folkloric entrance door at the back of the warehouse. Inside, it reveals an Arabian/Middle Eastern style ambiance, similar to the Paradise in Graz, Paradise in Saarbrücken, or Luxor in Stuttgart, but slightly more sober. The venue is not huge but spacious enough, and the general atmosphere is relaxed and calm. At the center of everything is the main room with a bar and stools, followed by sofas and armchairs, a small stage for lap dances, and various accesses to other areas. The rooms maintain the warm and relatively sober style of the venue, as does the corridor leading to them. The wellness area is complete with a sauna, steam room, solarium, jacuzzi, and relaxation room. There is also a room with a large sofa and a screen that serves as a “cinema” (the classic Kino found in FKK saunaclubs), and of course, there are lockers and showers for guests, along with the reception area.
Girls: A lineup of around 15 girls of average aesthetic level, with the usual exceptions both in a positive and negative sense. The attitude is generally good both in the main area and in the rooms, and the risk of encountering a so-called “missile” (a term often used for an unpleasant or unappealing girl) is rather low. The girls come from various nationalities, and besides the usual core group of Romanians and Bulgarians, who make up about half, there is a very diverse representation, ranging from different Swiss cantons to Spain and Hungary, as well as African beauties, Jamaican, Brazilian, and others. Of course, not all at once, but there is a fair amount of variety beyond the ubiquitous “draculine” (a colloquial term often used to describe a particular type of Eastern European woman).
Prices: Entrance: 55 CHF (Swiss Francs) / Euro.
The cost for services with the girls in the rooms is
El Harem also offers the so-called “Direct Service,” which allows you to go directly to a room with a girl without using the other services of the venue. In this case, the rates are: 135 Euros for 30 minutes and 225 Euros for 60 minutes.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 12:00 – 01:00 , Friday and Saturday 12:00 – 02:00 , Sunday 12:00 – 23:00 .
Restaurant/Bar: Non-alcoholic beverages are included in the entrance fee. There is a rich Sunday brunch, but there is no restaurant, so on other days, food must be brought from outside.
Note: The EL HAREM Club is located in Kirchberg, halfway between Lake Constance and Lake Zurich, making it equidistant from both cities (around 35 minutes by car from each, and also from Zurich Airport). This Sauna-Club opened in the spring of 2005 but is relatively unknown. It primarily caters to local clientele and passing travelers, and although it’s been active for over 20 years, it managed to survive even the notorious “COVID period.” The average number of visitors is typically on par with the number of girls present, usually around 15 or fewer during the day, and slightly more in the evening, especially on weekends.
Like the Paradise in Graz and other similar venues, the club’s downside lies in its location: not close enough to a major city and not large enough to attract many visitors from afar. However, it remains a pleasant destination for those nearby or for the more “adventurous” types who might want to take a trip from Zurich Airport, perhaps combining the visit with a stop in the city (renting a car on arrival, of course, as using public transportation would be a lengthy and complicated journey). – A little curiosity: Apparently, in contrast to most other similar venues in Europe, 15 years ago, the prices at El Harem were actually higher than they are today. The entry fee was 80 CHF, and the cost for half an hour in the room was 120 CHF. It seems like a wise policy that has proven to be successful in the long run. –
In a nutshell: El Harem is a good SaunaClub with a decent lineup and slightly lower prices than the Swiss average. It lacks the typical buffet for longer stays, but everything else is in place and works well. It might not warrant a dedicated visit for those coming from far away, but combined with a trip to the nearby city of Zurich, it definitely makes sense.
