Arrival/Check-in: The rooms manager greeted us at reception and, noticing our disappointment at being assigned to the new wing, immediately moved us to the 1745 Schloss. This older building preserves the country-house atmosphere that welcomes guests as they step into the manor’s gracious foyer, where inviting sofas encourage lingering. A modern glass elevator carried us to a second-floor corner room with views across the gardens.
Guest Quarters: White paneled walls and discreet stucco arabesques on the ceiling — original to the manor house — provided a crisp backdrop for striking color accents that gave the room its dramatic character. A red coverlet highlighted the queen-sized bed. Beside a round pedestal table sat a pale yellow velour armchair; the desk and console were white with gold hardware. A tall, curvaceous floor lamp, bedside lamps, desk chair, and the frame of the red velour headboard were finished in burnished gold leaf. While that finish could read as excessive elsewhere, here it complemented the airy white setting and completed a refined French Moderne look.
Gold velvet drapes framed the ceiling-height windows set deep into thick walls, blocking early morning light when closed. During the day, tasseled silk cords held them back to reveal the garden and sea views. The console housed a CD player, TV and stereo, and one of the entry closets contained a minibar and safe. The desk offered multiple convenient electrical outlets, and complimentary Internet was available in the room. Cloud-soft, high-thread-count linens and a choice of two pillow styles made the bed exceptionally comfortable. The bedside lights were a touch dim for reading, but did not detract from the overall comfort. The marble bathroom featured a large tub, separate shower, generous custom bath amenities and two soft bathrobes neatly folded and tied with satin ribbons.
Services and Amenities: Although the manor served as a school during the GDR era, much of its original interior has been retained. On the ground floor, a clubby bar with polished wood and leather seating creates an intimate atmosphere, while the à la carte restaurant, The Winter Garden, offers a refined dining experience. We sampled New German cuisine, including a robust braised beef main course and lighter starters of delicately smoked Baltic fish. Former stables have been transformed into a spa, and there is a breakfast room that opens onto a terrace during warmer months. The Brasserie serves rustic Mecklenburg specialties, and the breakfast buffet included fresh fruit, smoked salmon, hot and cold dishes, and a variety of breads. Outdoors, guests can enjoy a swimming pool set amid the grounds.
The Experience: The manor provides a tranquil retreat less than an hour from central Hamburg and about two hours from Berlin. English-speaking staff, fine dining, and extensive gardens, meadows and woods overlooking the sea make it an appealing getaway from the city. We also viewed rooms in the new building: they are sumptuous, featuring contemporary details such as heated mirrors that won’t fog when air conditioning is on, and many rooms include private terraces.
GT Checklist
- Doorman/valet
- Less than 10 minutes for check-in
- Separate tub/shower
- Large vanity
- High-quality towels
- Large, flat-screen TV
- Large desk with convenient outlets
- Complimentary in-room WiFi
- Ample lighting
- High-quality bed linens
- Choice of pillows
- Powerful, unattached hair dryer
- Iron and ironing board
- Easy-to-set alarm clock
- On-site restaurant and bar
- 24-hour room service
- In-room coffeemaker
- Large, complimentary laptop safe
Schlossgut Gross Schwansee
Am Park 1
23942 Gross Schwansee, Germany
tel 49 38827 88 48
http://www.schwansee.de