Central and natural: The Gothic House
It's not even ten o'clock in the morning and my husband and son are already betting. The little one, because we found a playground with pebbles ten minutes walk from the hotel, which he enthusiastically lets down the slide. The big one, because in the morning he could already go for an hour on a mountain bike and his first tour was an absolute hit. He drove from the hotel without a specific destination, past manicured Gründerzeit villas and half-timbered houses. After five minutes, he was surrounded only by green. Enthusiastic he tells of paths lined with maples and beech trees, through whose leaves the morning sun blinks and blooming wild garlic fields (who wants to follow the tour: it goes on a small parallel road south of the main road to Elbingerode first over the Jägerkopf and then towards Zillierbachtalsperre).
At eleven o'clock it's my turn, with a wellness triple pack of herbal scrub, hay pack and back massage. I love the smell of hay. It reminds me of long summer days, of cuddling cows, of eating ice cream - a great childhood pack that is freshly delivered here by a farmer from the Harz mountains. So that it does not poke too much, a thin fleece separates me from the moistened hay. The waterbed on which the hay and I lie is heated. The essential oils from the hay are particularly intense and strengthen the immune system. The perfect preparation for the back massage. The masseuse hits the right balance between firm and light pressure. Glorious. "You do not want to stop?" I ask with a sigh, as the masseuse signals the end of treatment after 25 minutes. She comforts me with a warmed neck pillow, a cup of herbal tea and a seat on the heated lounger.
Deep-relaxed as I am, I like to join my two-year-old son on his nap. For him, the hotel is a paradise. Especially the kitchen party in the evening he likes. At this regular event in the hotel kitchen, the chefs show how to prepare certain dishes. Trying is expressly allowed. While the kid is turning the crank on the pasta machine, my husband and I are having a relaxed conversation with the chef - a glass of lemon sorbet in his hand.
"Does one not need a bit of nature during a wellness holiday?" My colleague had asked skeptically when I suggested the hotel to her. The Gothische Haus is located in the center of Wernigerode, on the market square, next to the medieval half-timbered town hall. In front of the door, there is actually no green, but a lot of framework and free child care. We just need to put our almost two-year-old son by the window - he's so fascinated by the hustle and bustle out there that he does not even think of persuading us to play lego or read aloud. The funk takes over alternately the marching band, the jugglers and the wedding party in front of the town hall. If you like to sleep with an open window at night, you should opt for a room facing the courtyard. Because Wernigerode is anything but a sleepy nest and the market place a popular meeting place.
And there are even more advantages in Wernigerode: The city lies on the rain shadow side of the Harz, the clouds have often rained off before they reach Wernigerode. And the Harz itself is also particularly beautiful here: while monotonous spruce forests often dominate at higher elevations, there are diverse mixed forests in the foothills. And those can be reached from the Gothic house in a few minutes, as I find out the next morning.
It is seven o'clock, our son woke us up early. And I want to run up to the castle alone. The marketplace is still deserted. A look back at the hotel: From the outside it looks like there is not a big house, but five small coherent houses. And indeed, these old buildings were connected for the modern hotel. The facades are listed buildings. Even an old street was integrated into the building: where today the breakfast buffet is built, in former times probably horse-drawn carriages drove.
Speaking of horse-drawn carriages: If it were not so early in the morning, I could take the horse-drawn carriage or the little train to the castle, but at this time still nothing drives. But after a short, exhausting mountain run I have the castle for me - and a great view from above. The resin lies like a green hilly carpet in front of me. Where is nature? We are in the middle of it.
Ideal for: Nature lovers, hikers and mountain bikers, couples, girlfriends; Children are welcomedambiance: modern hotel behind historical facadethe atmosphere: uncomplicated, relaxed, friendly, attentiveWellness program: 500sqm spa with large whirlpool, Finnish sauna, bio sauna, steam room and indoor beach with UV radiation. Packages, e.g. "So is the resin" with herbal scrub, hay pack in a waterbed and honey oil full body massage for 144 euros.Surroundings: Wernigerode is a small town with almost 35,000 inhabitants on the northern edge of the Harz Mountains. The Gothic house is located in the historic center.Price-performance: well, prices vary depending on demand. Double room with half board from 90? per person. Various arragements, e.g. "Time for two", two nights with half board, a bottle of champagne, carriage ride through Wernigerode, Asian head massage, from 304 Euro per person. highlight: The central location on the historic market square in Wernigerode and the hay pack with subsequent massage.
Travel Charme Gothisches Haus - Marktplatz 2 - 38855 Wernigerode - Tel. 03943 / 675-0 - www.travelcharme.com
