Schloss Elmau, Bavaria, Germany
That Schloss Elmau calls itself a ‘cultural hideaway’ makes perfect sense when you consider its history. Built in 1916 by philosopher Dr Johannes Müller, it began life as an Alpine retreat where guests could enjoy silence, natural beauty, concerts and literary readings. Now owned by Müller’s grandson, the retreat hosts symposia and debates that attract a global roster of thinkers (the G7 has been held here twice), while the glorious concert hall is played by some of the world’s most celebrated classical artists, many waiving their fee just to be here. It makes for a unique spa experience: take a wrong turn after an evening swim and you might pad through a crowd of chattering concertgoers while still in your robe and slippers (though nobody seems to mind). Afternoon coffee and cake are taken in rooms full of books and log fires, Swing & Dance sessions are for happiness as much as co-ordination, and a world-class curation of yoga retreats incorporates evening lectures, Tantric philosophy and spiritual contemplation. The location is awe-inspiring, too. In winter, you’ll crunch along fairy-lit paths of snow to dinner; in summer, there are day beds by the creek; also hiking, tennis lessons and wild swimming in nearby lakes. In the two multistoried spas, you’ll find steam baths and saunas, a Japanese Onsen, a spacious Oriental Hamam (come here to get expertly scrubbed, sluiced and pummelled on a marble bed), a Pilates studio and multiple watery spaces, including two outdoor infinity pools with forest views so dense and detailed they’re almost impossible to absorb: wallowing here and having deep, peaceful thoughts before dinner is a memory that will get you through some of life’s more challenging moments for months. From early-morning Jivamukti yoga to late-night jazz there’s more here than you can possibly fit in – but you’ll have so much fun trying.
GOOD TO KNOW GH spotted several multigenerational groups on breaks here. Children eat for free at lunch, when it snows there’s tobogganing on tap, and extensive holiday programmes feature everything from craft clubs to soccer camp.
Accommodation, from around £240; treatments, from around £128; Signature Hamam Experience For Two, around £427 (schloss-elmau.de)