2_1_DiscoverGermany_April2014_Issue13_copy:Scan Magazine 1
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A seaside holiday for body and soul The 4-star Das Ahlbeck Hotel & Spa invites you to relax and detox far from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The hotel can be found on the island of Usedom, one of Germany’s sunniest regions with a stunning 45 km stretch of sandy beach. TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE | PHOTOS: DAS AHLBECK HOTEL SPA
Located right by the Baltic Sea, the newly refurbished Das Ahlbeck Hotel & Spa, successfully led by Ahlbeck-born hotel director Petra Bensemann, combines tradition with a modern approach. During high season, Usedom is easily reached via direct flights from a range of locations including Switzerland’s Zurich and Bern. The sophisticated hotel has 18 generously sized double bedrooms and 31 spacious apartments, all fully equipped with modern appliances such as minibar, gas fireplace, balcony and flat-screen TV. With tasteful and elegant interior design, an atmosphere of calm comfort and top-notch service per-
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meates the air. “The spa is the heart of our hotel,” says Bensemann of the huge 1,200 sqm area, which once again received the prestigious German Wellness Association certificate of “Premium Excellence”in 2012. Among other facilities, a Finnish sauna, sanarium, steam baths, a tepidarium and swimming pool await guests. The hotel offers a variety of relaxing massages and beauty treatments using products by Clarins. “Guests can enjoy the duo sand bath, the duo float bed and the light-sound wave tub alone or together,”adds Bensemann. “A true highlight is the soft pack lounger, which is heated up to 37 degrees. After the
peeling and applying of precious essences, the body is lowered into the float bed. Due to the temperature the pores open up and absorb the substances more effectively. We use local products for the mare’s milk cream and the rich hawthorn oil, the ingredients of our organic body pack.” The hotel’s restaurant opens up onto a beautiful terrace. The kitchen’s glass front allows guests the luxury of watching head chef Christian Gottsein work his magic as he merges French cuisine with contemporary ideas using local produce. An on-site hotel bakery delivers a selection of freshly baked goods to tempt guests and visitors alike. Although coffee and cake in the afternoon is a true German tradition, teatime plays a major role in the coastal regions too. Enjoying a cuppa by the fireplace and listening to the Golden Tea Master’s stories is an experience not to be missed. All in all, Das Ahlbeck Hotel & Spa is the perfect place to unwind! www.das-ahlbeck.de