Escape to Paradise: Hotel Sonneck, Germany Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Sonneck (And My Actually Pretty Wild Ride!) - A Review That Isn't Afraid to Be Real
Okay, so you're thinking about escaping to Paradise? Sounds dreamy, right? Well, I just got back from Hotel Sonneck in Germany, and let me tell you… it’s a whole experience. Not just a hotel stay. And yes, there's a lot to unpack, so buckle up buttercups. Because I'm about to get real. And a little scattered, just like my brain after a week of spa treatments and schnitzel.
Accessibility – Mostly a Win, But…
Let’s start with the nitty-gritty: accessibility. The website says it's got facilities for disabled guests. And technically, it does. The elevator is ace. But getting to the elevator from all the nooks and crannies of the hotel? Sometimes a bit of a hike. And while I didn't personally need a wheelchair (thank the heavens), I did notice some tight corners and cobblestone paths that might make things tricky. So, call ahead, ask specific questions, and if mobility is a huge issue, maybe double-check before you book. Don't want to be stranded on a gorgeous terrace, unable to get to the bar!
Okay, that’s the sensible stuff done. Now, let's dive in! Like, deep dive.
Rooms: Cozy Cocoon or Cramped Quarters? (It Depends!)
My room. Oh, my room. I opted for a "mountain view," which, let's be honest, was everything. Waking up to the sun kissing those Bavarian peaks? Chef's kiss! The air conditioning was a godsend (especially after a day in the sauna – more on that later!). It had everything you'd expect: air conditioning, alarm clock, bathrobes, coffee/tea maker, free bottled water (essential!), hair dryer, in-room safe box, internet access – wireless (and yes, free Wi-Fi! Everywhere! Even in the sauna – awkward!). Oh, and a window that opens, a simple pleasure often overlooked, but one that I deeply appreciated!
However, it wasn't perfect. The room décor…it was a little…German. You know? Heavy wood. Lots of floral patterns. My inner minimalist screamed a little. But hey, the blackout curtains were amazing for sleeping in after one too many glasses of wine. And the desk was functional, though I did have to fight over the laptop workspace, as my husband kept trying to turn it into a second breakfast buffet. Speaking of which…
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Foodie Paradise (Mostly)!
The food at Hotel Sonneck? Outstanding. Honestly. They had restaurants, plural! A buffet in restaurant, a la carte in restaurant, a vegetarian restaurant (which I mostly ignored, because… schnitzel!), and a coffee shop. The breakfasts were a masterpiece. I mean, Asian breakfast was on offer (interesting!), but I mostly stuck to the Western breakfast – think mountains of freshly baked bread, local cheeses, and enough bacon to feed a small army.
The bar was a thing of beauty. Seriously, they had a poolside bar, where I spent a shameful amount of time sipping cocktails and watching the world go by. (I never understood the appeal of "pool with a view" until I saw that view. Seriously stunning.) The Happy hour was legendary. And yes, they had a happy hour, a blessing after a long day in the spa!
My Biggest Foodie Win: The Schnitzel Incident!
Okay, prepare yourself. This is a story. One night, utterly exhausted from a particularly rigorous round of body scrubs (more on that later, too!), I ordered room service. A 24-hour room service menu! I saw schnitzel (because, Germany, right?) and I had to. It was late, I was starving, I’d skipped lunch. I waited, and waited… and waited. Finally, a knock! A tiny waiter appeared, balancing the most gigantic plate of schnitzel I’d ever seen. I swear, it was the size of my face.
It was also epic. Crispy, tender, perfectly seasoned. Best schnitzel ever. I ate the whole thing. The next day…well, let’s just say the additional toilet in the guest bathroom came in handy. But it was worth it. Honestly. 10/10 would schnitzel again. (I think a bottle of water would have been a better pairing for the schnitzel than the heavy beer I had.) (oh and they have salad in restaurant if you're feeling a little healthier than I am)
Ways to Relax: Spa, Sauna, and Sheer Bliss
Okay, listen up because this is where Hotel Sonneck really shines. The spa! Oh, the spa. It’s a whole experience. They offer everything! Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool (indoor and Swimming pool [outdoor]), and more!
I had a massage (heavenly!). A body wrap (made me feel like a queen!). A foot bath (seriously, the best thing ever after those cobblestone streets!). The sauna? I am not even a sauna person, but I’m converted. The view from the outdoor pool was something else, and the Pool with view was not only breathtaking!
I did go a little overboard with the wellness offerings, I have to admit, because I never even tried the Fitness center!
Cleanliness and Safety: A Worry-Free Zone (Mostly)
Let’s be honest, travel in 2024? A bit stressful. But Hotel Sonneck takes cleanliness seriously. They had Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, and they were sterilizing equipment. I felt safe. They even had Hygiene certification. So, no worries, as long as you're paying attention to the Physical distancing of at least 1 meter!
But here's a funny thing: I did notice they had Room sanitization opt-out available. Which, personally, I found a bit odd but hey, options are always good!
Services and Conveniences: The Little Extras
They had all the usual stuff: Air conditioning in public area, Concierge, Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Elevator, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Terrace (ah, the joys of a terrace!), Xerox/fax in business center.
They even offer: First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call, Cashless payment service.
Here's a little more about the "extras": the daily housekeeping was impeccable, even though I left my room looking like a bomb had hit it after a particularly enthusiastic shopping spree. The concierge was incredibly helpful – they booked our tours, got us dinner reservations, and even helped me find a decent pharmacy when I had a nasty mosquito bite. The elevator was super useful for navigating the hotel.
For the Kids: Fun for the Whole Family!
Okay, I didn't use these but I did see a lot of kids having a lot of fun! They got Family/child friendly, kids facilities, and Babysitting service also offered! (I do have a small nephew, but my husband said it was too risky to bring him!)
Getting Around: Easy Breezy (Mostly)
They offer Airport transfer, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, and Valet parking. But they also offer Bicycle parking, so that makes me think that guests can find their own way, and that is amazing!
Stuff I Didn't Use (But You Might!)
- Audio-visual equipment for special events,
- Business facilities
- Essential condiments,
- Facilities for disabled guests,
- Food delivery,
- Gift/souvenir shop,
- Indoor venue for special events,
- Invoice provided,
- Meeting/banquet facilities,
- Meetings,
- Meeting stationery,
- On-site event hosting,
- Outdoor venue for special events,
- Projector/LED display,
- Seminars,
- Shrine,
- Smoking area,
- Wi-Fi for special events,
- Access,
- CCTV in common areas,
- CCTV outside property,
- Check-in/out [express],
- Check-in/out [private],
- Couple's room,
- Exterior corridor,
- Fire extinguisher,
- Front desk [24-hour],
- Hotel chain,
- **Non
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause we're about to dive headfirst into a trip to Hotel Sonneck in Germany! This isn't your glossy, Instagram-filtered travel guide. This is the REAL DEAL. Get ready for some glorious, awkward, and probably slightly embarrassing moments. And yes, it's messy. Deal with it.
Hotel Sonneck: My Alpine Adventure (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Spa – Mostly)
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of Luggage
10:00 AM: Flight from… well, let's just say somewhere with a lot of humidity. The flight was unremarkable. That is until my checked bag decided to take a solo excursion to… somewhere very far away from me. The airline lady's face was a study in practiced sympathy. You know, the kind that says, "Honey, you're screwed."
14:00 PM: Arrive at Sonneck. This place is stunning. Seriously, the pictures don't do it justice. Jaw-dropping views of the Bavarian Alps. Breathtaking. Okay, enough scenic adjectives. I'm trying to be cool.
14:30 PM: Check-in. Fraught with the usual questions: "Is this your key? Do you need help with your bags?" (See: my luggage purgatory.) The receptionist was incredibly helpful. I felt like I deserved it, with my luggage situation.
15:00 PM: Room! Finally. Beautifully decorated, cozy, with a balcony that makes me want to… well, stare at mountains for a solid hour. Decided against it. I desperately need to find a toothbrush.
16:00 PM: The pool. I swear, I'm not usually this guy. But I didn't have my swimmers. This situation demanded I go back to my room and figure out my life.
17:00 PM: The solution: go to a spa. I love spas.
18:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. The food… omg, the food. Schnitzel perfection. The entire time, I'm just glancing at the door, hoping the missing luggage magically appears. I swear I could hear the mountain calling and was not ready for the spa.
19:00 PM: Nightcaps at the bar. The bartender (who, let’s be honest, was probably a mountain god in disguise) made a fantastic local beer. I sat there, plotting how to subtly guilt-trip the airline into finding my bag.
21:00 PM: Went to sleep. Exhausted, with a looming thought of finding a new toothbrush.
Day 2: Hiking, Humiliation, and Heavenly Hot Springs
- 08:00 AM: Breakfast. Buffet. Glorious. I may have eaten three pastries. Don't judge me. I still don't have my bag! I am starting to fume.
- 09:30 AM: Hiking. I'm not a hiker, but the hotel advertised a beautiful trail. So, clad in borrowed (and ill-fitting) hiking gear (thanks, hotel shop!), I set off.
- 10:00 AM: First uphill climb. Immediately regretting everything. Legs screaming. Breathless. This is where I am in life.
- 10:05 AM: Stumbled over a root. Faceplant into the dirt. Mortified. A group of hikers (who looked way too enthusiastic) offered help. I brushed myself off, mumbled something about "embracing nature," and kept going. Note to self: invest in better hiking boots.
- 11:30 AM: Made it to the top. Views spectacular, yes. Worth the humiliation? Debatable. I ate a sandwich while trying to compose myself and avoid looking like a complete idiot.
- 13:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Showered, then, the spa. The spa is my saving grace.
- 14:00 PM: The Spa! Honestly, it was heavenly. The saunas, the hot tubs, the silence. I may have cried. Or maybe it was just sweat. It was hot in there, and beautiful.
- 16:00 PM: Dinner at the restaurant, again. The food continues to be phenomenal. I may have broken my vow of "no more pastries" at breakfast. I'm a mess.
- 18:00 PM: The Beer Garden: I'm still in recovery mode. After my hiking misadventure, I decided a proper beer garden was what I needed. The air was crisp, the beer was cold, and I even managed to have a semi-coherent conversation with a local about the best sausages in the region.
- 20:00 PM: The Pool. I will never go to the pool again.
- 21:00 PM: Sleep
Day 3: The Ultimate Spa Experience and a Lesson in Letting Go (and Luggage, Finally!)
- 08:00 AM: Breakfast. Pastries. Yes. Still no luggage. I may have sent a passive-aggressive email to the airline.
- 09:00 AM: Spa, part deux. I'm becoming one with the sauna. This time, though, I opted for the full treatment: massage, facial, the works. I'm pretty sure I briefly achieved nirvana.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at the hotel. Healthy this time. I figure I deserve it.
- 13:00 PM: The. Luggage. Has. Arrived! The gods (or, you know, the airline) have finally answered my prayers. The relief was palpable. I did a little dance. In public. Don't judge.
- 14:00 PM-onward: I spend the rest of the day enjoying my luggage.
- 16:00 PM: Dinner.
- 19:00 PM: A final drink at the bar. I toasted the mountains, the spa, and the fact that I finally had my toothbrush.
- 21:00 PM: Sleep. Soon I will check out.
Departure: I'm leaving feeling refreshed, slightly sunburnt, and about a million times more relaxed than when I arrived. And with a suitcase full of clean clothes. Sonneck, you magnificent beast, you've done it again. And I'll definitely be back. (Just, maybe, with a more reliable luggage situation next time.) Until then, auf wiedersehen!
(Post Script: Seriously, that spa was amazing. Go. Just go.)
Escape to Paradise: A-ROSA Ostseehotel Kuhlungsborn Awaits!
Okay, so "Escape to Paradise: Hotel Sonneck" - Sounds a bit... ambitious. Is it actually paradise? Tell me the *truth*.
Paradise? Alright, let's be real. Sonneck is probably *somebody's* paradise. For me? Well, it was a solid, really *nice* escape. Imagine the "before" – stressed-out, emails piling up, the dog ate the remote (again). Then, *bam*, rolling hills, that crisp Black Forest air... Yeah, paradise-adjacent. Think a well-made cocktail – delicious, but the perfect lime wedge is missing.
The whole thing is kinda like that feeling when you *think* you've packed everything, and arrive at the hotel and realize you forgot the damn phone charger. Annoying, but not the end of the world. The view from my balcony? Absolutely breathtaking. Took my breath away. Then I remembered my phone was dead. See what I mean?
The Hotel's Website boasts about "wellness experiences." Spill. What's the spa REALLY like? Were the massages worth the price of admission? And did you try the "Forest Therapy" thing? (Because I'm judging you *hard* if you didn't).
Okay, the spa. This is where things get… complicated. The website's photos? Photoshop *nailed* it. The reality? Still great! Beautiful, really. That infinity pool overlooking the valley was pure, unfiltered *luxury*. I swear, I almost floated into the sunset (and then I remembered I can’t actually float). The sauna? Hit the spot, absolutely. And the smell of the pine needles? Heavenly. I got the "Deep Tissue De-Stress Massage."
Was it worth the price? Ugh. Okay, here's the thing: I'm a cheapskate. I *hate* paying for massages. But, *damn*, it was good. Really, ridiculously good. My masseuse, bless her heart, could probably knead concrete. I walked out feeling like a wet noodle… in a good way. Did she whisper soothing words in German? Maybe. Did I understand a word? Nope. Did it matter? Not a bit. (I got lost on the spa trail too, but that's another story.)
Forest Therapy? *Don't even get me started.* I signed up. I wandered through the woods barefoot on a frosty morning, breathing deeply and trying to "connect with nature." It was… interesting. I mostly connected with how cold the ground was. I did see a squirrel. He seemed very judgmental. I also managed to trip over a root, which, ironically, made me feel *very* connected to nature. Verdict: Worth trying, but maybe bring socks.
The food! Germany! Tell me everything about the food. Were the portions as huge as I've been told? Did you gain 10 pounds? And did you eat all the cake? (Be honest.)
Oh, the food. Oh, sweet, glorious, calorie-laden food. The portions… *massive*. I'm talking, "pass the elastic waistband" kinda huge. Did I gain weight? Let's just say my jeans are now… conversational. But, oh, the food! The breakfast buffet was the stuff of legends. Think: mountains of fresh bread, cold cuts galore, cheeses of every conceivable variety, and enough jam to fuel a small nation. And the pastries? Oh, the pastries. Those tiny, perfect croissants? Gone. The Black Forest Cake? *Devoured*. I have no regrets. I mean, how *could* you NOT eat the cake in the Black Forest? It would be a crime!
Dinner was equally spectacular. Hearty, traditional German fare. Think: schnitzel, dumplings, sausages, and more potatoes than I could ever have imagined. The chef at Sonneck clearly believes in butter. And I am, apparently, a believer as well. The service was impeccable. Everyone was so friendly (despite my atrocious attempts at German).
Okay, I’ll be honest. There was this one time I ordered the *Käsespätzle*, which is cheesy egg noodles. And let me tell you, that was the single greatest food-induced coma of my life. I think I drooled a little. (Worth it.) The next day, I had to walk *extra* fast to compensate for the calories. But you know what? I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. Send help (and more cake!).
What about the rooms? Clean? Comfortable? What sort of view did you get? Any secret quirks we should know about?
The rooms? Spotlessly clean. Spotlessly. Like, I think they'd clean it even if you *didn't* spill your coffee (which, of course, I did). My room had a balcony, and the view... okay, I'm going to gush a bit here. Rolling green hills, the Black Forest stretching out before me. It was what you expect from the Black Forest in Germany. Absolutely breathtaking. The air was so fresh! I could almost smell the pine needles!
The bed was comfy, the amenities were top-notch (loved the little chocolates on the pillow). Now, for the quirks: There was a slightly wonky light switch in the bathroom. Took me a day to figure out. And the hairdryer was one of those old-school ones that felt like it was going to launch into outer space. Other than that, everything was great. Oh, there was also a tiny balcony door that, if you didn't close it *just* right, would whistle like a banshee in the wind. I finally learned how to close it properly, which was a major victory. I felt proud of myself after I learned to close the banshee door. (It was a quiet victory.)
Overall? Definitely comfortable. I definitely recommend requesting a room with a view. Makes that morning coffee taste even better (even if you spill some).
Did you meet any interesting people? Any awkward encounters? Because, as much as it’s about the hotel, it's really about the *people*, no?
Oh, the people. This is where it gets interesting. I was traveling solo, so I was fully prepared for some awkward silences and forced small talk. And I got it! But also... I met some genuinely lovely people. In the spa, there was this woman from Switzerland who was an absolute *riot*. (She also gave me some great tips on avoiding blisters). She told me she'd been coming to Sonneck for years. She knew all the secret walking trails, all the best spots to find the elusive wild mushrooms (which, I think I saw, maybe).
Now, the awkward encounters? Oh, yes. There was the guy at the breakfast buffet who insisted on telling me *all* about his colonoscopy. Over eggs and bacon, people! I just smiled and nodded and ate faster. There was also a very enthusiastic couple who kept trying to rope me into their hiking group. I'm not a hiker, people! I like to relax! But, I did end up walking with them a few times, not even because I wanted to, but because I felt badExplore Hotels
