Located in the Bohemian village of Mcely, less than an hour from Prague in the Czech Republic, the enchanting Chateau Mcely Spa Hotel & Forest Retreat is a secluded haven of romance and calm. Set amid landscaped grounds and forest, this boutique chateau blends period charm with contemporary comfort. Each of the 23 individually named rooms has been carefully designed to the smallest detail, featuring fine linens, rich textiles and thoughtful decorative touches. The hotel’s two floors follow distinct themes—the Floor of the World and the Floor of Time—offering guests unique atmospheres tailored to relaxation and discovery.
The estate includes a 17th-century wine cellar dubbed The Alchemists Club, a picturesque English park, and a studio library topped by a tower observatory. The stand-alone Bouquet Spa, set near the St. George Forest, specializes in traditional herbal aromatherapy rituals using locally gathered botanicals. Spa highlights include the Nine Flowers treatment, a nine-step ritual performed in the honey pavilion cottage beside the lake, and the Rose is a Rose is a Rose ritual, which combines a rosehip honey body peeling with a soothing, hydrating rose serum. These treatments emphasize natural ingredients and restorative techniques drawn from regional herbal traditions.
Families with children are welcome year-round, and the chateau’s seasonal programming often focuses on family-friendly events. Every September, Chateau Mcely hosts the annual Princess Festival, a three-day celebration that offers a package including two nights in the room of your choice, a daily breakfast buffet, a Saturday buffet lunch and a Sunday barbecue. The festival’s activities are designed for children ages three and up, beginning Friday evening with a bedtime story reading of The Peacock Prince in the Golden Hall by the resident nanny.
Throughout the weekend, young guests can participate in a broad lineup of activities: games in the English Park, a formal festival opening, the Princess Academy workshop “Fun with Etiquette for Princesses and Princes,” a Mermaid Cake cutting, fairytale theater in the park, and the Le Petite Suzette fashion show showcasing imaginative princess costumes. Other hands-on experiences include a princess jewelry workshop, a pirate treasure hunt and horse and pony rides. Organizers often add surprise events to keep the program fresh and engaging for families.
Parents benefit from curated seminars and expert talks offered during festival weekends. Past speakers have included psychotherapist and lecturer Milan Studnička, who led a session titled “How to Raise a Girl, How to Raise a Boy,” and presentations by academic professionals such as Tomáš Rychnovský, Ph.D. These talks address contemporary parenting topics and provide practical guidance for raising children in today’s world, complementing the festival’s playful activities for kids.
Beyond the festival, Chateau Mcely provides a calm, restorative setting for couples, solo travelers and families seeking a refined countryside escape close to Prague. The property’s combination of historic architecture, carefully curated interiors, spa traditions rooted in local herbs and a varied program of family events makes it a distinctive destination in the Czech Republic. Whether you come for a weekend workshop, a spa retreat, or a family celebration, the chateau aims to create memorable experiences through attentive service and a sense of place.