The Outdoor pool of Bleiche Resort & Spa in the winter time. Of course heated…

One and a half hours drive from Berlin, lies the Hotel Bleiche Resort & Spa in Brandenburg Spreewald. Here the outdoor pool in summer

To encapsulate right away: with this story I’m neither looking for the not yet found hair in the soup, nor am I the investigative journalist finding something previously undiscovered. This text is my personal homage to a place and its landscape, which has grown on me over the years and my many visits: the Hotel ‘Bleiche Resort & Spa’ and the Brandenburg Spreewald.

The Bleiche is always decorated according to the season …

… here the ‘Grünes Gewölbe’-Restaurant in Christmas decoration

Every time the rumble of wooden planks wakes me up when passing the driveway to the hotel grounds and the red-white boarded wooden facade in front of me opens, when I walk into the hotel lobby and hear the splashing of the fountain, then I know: I have arrived. My Berlin-stress I leave at the front desk, am grateful to not have to fill in any incredibly long forms, or being asked for either a credit card or if I had a “pleasant journey”.
“It’s great you’re here.” Here, I don’t have to do anything. Here I simply am.

Arrival: In the lobby of the Hotel Bleiche Resort & Spa it ripples from the impressive fountain

By now, I’ve got my little rituals, which I sometimes pursue more, sometimes less: I let myself drift, I let go, enjoy the sweet idleness. Sometimes I swim my laps in the outdoor pool before breakfast; usually I sleep till all hours. The breakfast in the ,Grünem Gewölbe’ (‘green vault’), I am celebrating extensively with seven minute egg and morning tea ‘Morgentau’. Even at 12 noon that is still possible here. I read the newspaper (which I ‘m rarely able to do at home), which I can find by my bedroom door every morning.

Here I’m having breakfast in the ‘Grünes Gewölbe’ (Green Vault):

I love morning tea ‘Morgentau’, seven minute egg, whole wheat bread, croissants, cheese, melon and – believe it or not – Spreewaldgurke (‘Spreewald cucumber’)

One look into the eyes of my two four-legged travelling companions and it’s decided: Off it goes into the nature, past fields and canals. The network of adjacent trails can also wonderfully be explored by biking or jogging. When it rains, I confine my outdoor activities into the hotel’s private, 17-hectare park, in which my doggies have already chased one or two balls. Then I limber up with some tea and homemade cakes, discover an interesting book title in the well-stocked book shop or exceptionally check out my mails, which is only possible in this one area, because there’s no Wi-Fi in the rooms.

Regulars Willi and Franz in the provided baskets. Here one also takes lovingly care of the four-legged guests

Then I slip into the bathrobe and keep wearing it for the time being. Here, everyone is the same wearing the bathrobes, whether they’re called Heike Makatsch, Model Eva Padberg or German actor Matthias Schweighöfer. My range of motion involved the route room – spa – room. By the way: with 5,000 square meters it is one of the largest spas in Europe. In my opinion, it’s also one of the finest.

Swiming, while watching the crackling fire in the fireplace – where do you find something comparable?

Many spas reduce their appearance on the mere expediency, as if the applications were processed like illness certificates: indoor swimming pools with tiles up to the stop and above all a pungent smell of chlorine. In the Bleiche, it scents like fireplaces, like lumbers, herbs and apples. A treat for my nose, used to capital odors. Apart from this, there are plenty of chairs, cozy sofas, inviting sitting areas with comfortable wicker chairs, in which I do like to sink into, because a sauna, massages and Haman are well known to be quite tiring. My favorite room? Clearly and absolutely unrivaled: The ,Kräuterkammer’ (‘herbal chamber’), a around 45 degrees tempered sauna, very cozy like a mountain lodge. How many hours have I probably already spent here?

The ,Kräuterkammer’ (‘herbal chamber’), a around 45 degrees tempered sauna in the wellness area, very cozy like a mountain lodge

I lie and listen. Sometimes to the sounds of classical music – in the large indoor swimming pool also under water – sometimes the chirping of crickets, the inhabitants of ancient timbers. For me, this is the most beautiful way of meditation, even though it is also offered here professionally: With or without singing bowl. Speaking of lying: On the big screen of the professionally equipped cinema, there run three movies daily, many that I always wanted to see before. Here I finally get the opportunity in XXL wide loungers.

Wherever I go, inviting sitting areas always await

The decor is right up my alley: sophisticated country-house style, using French linen, rough wood and roughly plastered cob walls, combined with selected antiques and a pleasant lighting concept. It’s the passion for detail that I like so much and this is actually what’s the real secret of the Bleiche. Here and there are a couple of candlesticks, vases and stacks of books. All wisely collected in legwork and over the years by the Bleiche-owners – the Clausing family.

Traditional decoration ‘Herrgottswinkel’ in the cheese chamber

In the evening I preferably sit in the cozy ,Fischerstube’ (‘Fishers parlor’) or in the quaint ,Kahnschuppen’ (‘fishing boat shed’) – in the summer it’s also nice in beer garden under the old chestnut trees. Gourmets get indulged in star restaurant ,17fuffzig’. The food is delicious – I have never been disappointed. I love the Mosel Riesling from the winery ‘Kallfelz’ and especially a regional goat’s cheese at the end, which the rustic cheese chamber holds behind its doors. Maybe I treat myself with a nightcap at the bar. Maybe I’m still sitting at the large fireplace, looking into the fire and imagining how the linen fabrics for the ‘Old Fritz’* were bleached here more than 260 years ago. BvH
*nickname of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia

Here I can spend hours looking into the fire – and it never gets boring to me in any way

Tip:

Especially in fall or winter a boat trip is an experience, as you mainly have the channels for yourself and the pasture- and moorlands of the Spreewald are worth a look at – even in the cold season. Ask for Hagen, he is the best tour guide and knows all secrets and things to know.

Fancy a boat trip? The hotel’s boat harbor offers individual journeys – also during the winter season

Christmas Decor at Bleiche Resort & Spa

Summer impressions

In the beer garden, one can wonderfully sit under old chestnut trees

From the herb bed directly into the pot: Star chef René Klages gets his ingredients from the hotel’s herb garden

The secret of the Bleiche is the love for detail

In the book shop of the Bleiche, I love to rummage through the current book titles and make readable discoveries

Almost like home

Beautiful interior: One of the cottage suites with a private sauna, separate bedroom and living area

The beds are especially comfortable and cozy

Relaxing in the bathtub with a glass of Prosecco and candlelight – Good as it gets

Bye, bye, stress!

Me in bathrobe-mood in front of the fireplace by the indoor pool

The Whirlpool

A seperate bath and wading area for families with children

You simply do not want to leave

One out of eight restaurants: The ‘Weißbiereck’. Comfortable, right?

For cheese lovers this is the culinary paradise at Hotel Bleiche Resort & Spa: The cheese chamber

On a night cap at the bar …

… or again to the fireplace? The cozy atmosphere ensures a great feel-good factor

Contact Bleiche Resort & Spa:

Bleiche Resort & Spa
Bleichestraße 16
03096 Burg im Spreewald, Germany

www.bleiche.de

Merken

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All Guerlain Spas are equipped with elegant crystal decorations. The guest chooses between classical cosmetic and anti-aging treatments. There’re also Gym-, Pilates- and Yoga-offers

Are you still looking for a special present for your best friend or simply want to relax after the stressful advent time or the upcoming feast days? Then I have the ultimate tip for you: a Spa-Treatment in the Guerlain Spa Waldorf Astoria Berlin – plunge, immerse, dream.

Before and after the treatment, Laura serves me a cup of tea

In the middle of the pre-Christmassy advent hurly-burly a heaven of silence welcomes me in the luxury hotel Waldorf Astoria Berlin – opposite the Memorial Church and the Zoo train station. Lots of spas exist in the dark vaults. However the Guerlain Spa in the Waldorf Astoria resides at about a 1,000 square meters, light flooded fifth floor with a view over the city. Each of the lavish rooms has daylight, which both people and employees appreciate a lot.

My personal changing room with my own, private bath

A spa treatment at Guerlain Spa Waldorf Astoria Berlin is a journey into another world. At the wardrobe I’m getting rid of my coat and the other ballast. I drink a tea and choose under the Guerlain perfumes the traditional scent Shalimar, which accompanies me during my stay.

Welcome to the footbath- and relaxation lounge

In my personal changing room with my own, private bathroom I cuddle myself into a fluffy bathrobe of the brand Boco Terry and am first led into a footbath-lounge. After the footbath it gets onwards into the treatment room that is held in comfortable, warm colors. And of course it smells like Shalimar.

At first my feet are getting bathed …

My today’s fairy godmothers name is Laura and she indulges me with a 1½ hours facial treatment – the Complete Facial – with Guerlain products, which includes a cleaning, a peeling, massage, mask and Hyaluron-eye pads. They work true miracles! In the end I get a light day makeup and am again ready for the outerworld. Unfortunately. Because my scent-journey is over and I have to go back to the wild life of Berlin. BvH

… and then massaged by Laura

This is where I’m getting spoiled: one of the six treatment rooms with body- and facial treatments. A big plus: every treatment room disposes of daylight

Whilst Laura’s applied moisturizing mask spoils my skin, I dream myself onto another planet

In the end I get a light day makeup and am again ready for the outerworld

Tip I:

So much luxury has its price: the Complete Facial costs 170 Euros. The price includes the usage of the thermal spa area. For hotel guests the Guerlain Spa costs 15 Euros per day. The spa area is inclusive if you book an application from 60 minutes onwards. External guests use the thermal bath in connection with a booked application for a surcharge of 40 Euros. There is no need for an extra charge from a 90 minutes application onwards. It’s best to book during the week, then the thermal bath won’t be crowded.

A Vichy-shower is also offered – for everyone, who likes a showering-off whilst lying – as well as a bathtub for hydrotherapy

Tip II:

‘Beauty Revelation’ is a combination of facial- and body treatment, exclusively created by Guerlain for the Waldorf Astoria in Berlin. During the whole body massage, muscle relaxation and manual lymphatic drainage are combined.

A pool shaped as a cloud: the thermal bath presents itself like a heavenly kingdom with sauna, steam bath, ice-fountain and adventure showers …

… and a whirlpool

This is where it goes to the sun deck in the sixth floor with a view over Berlin

The Guerlain Spa at Waldorf Astoria Berlin is the only one in Germany. Here you can see the lobby with comfy chairs

One is more beautiful than the other: The Guerlain perfume flacons with classics like Shalimar, Chamade, Aqua Allegoria or La Petite Robe

The Guerlain products

Afterwards I feel deeply relaxed and visibly refreshed

Contact:

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