2emptynesters

Introduction:

Time of year: Late January/early February 2018.

Purpose of trip: This was the third stop on our visit to the Czech Republic and a chance to relax after a busy few days.

Why we chose this place: Mariánské Lázně is a beautiful, historic spa town which developed in the early 1800s after numerous mineral springs were discovered locally. It’s now famous for its attractive setting and wide range of treatments, yet is only two hours by car from the airport in Prague. We were invited to sample the Nové Lázně Hotel, which offers five star accommodation within this large Danubius Spa Resort.

How long we stayed: Three nights

Our accommodation: Deluxe Junior Suite comprising a beautiful bedroom with balcony overlooking the spa town, TV, glass chandelier, plus a sitting room with desk, fridge, safe, double wardrobe, hanging area, two armchairs and table, second TV, glass chandelier, large window overlooking spa town. Excellent en suite bathroom with large shower and great complimentary toiletries. Minibar. Tea/coffee/kettle. Free wifi .

Service: Five star, professional service from all the staff we encountered.

Location: The hotel is in a central position in this exceptionally grand and attractive spa town. There are shops and alternative restaurants in the town (although the Danubius complex has plenty of options on offer). The town is dotted with parks, and surrounded by pine clad hills, and close by an artisan brewery, a monastery, and a range of beautiful historic buildings.

Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served in buffet-style dining areas across the complex.

What we paid: We were guests of the Danubius Hotel Group. Similar accommodation here in February 2018 for a ‘Royal Wellness’ package would cost £434 per person for three nights. That would include five treatments each, on a half-board basis, including access to the actual bathing suite used by King Edward Vll during his many visits here!

Activities close by: There’s a range of shops in the town, and a choice of other restaurants and coffee shops if–despite all that Danubius offers– you want a change of scene. There’s a ski slope, Nordic walking/cross country ski-ing trails, the Royal Golf Club officially opened and enjoyed by King Edward VII, also tennis courts, the local parks and stunning pine forests in the hills around the town. Horse and carriage rides are available, too.

What empty nesters might really like about this place: Danubius Health Spa Resort Nové Lázně is the grandest of nine hotels operated by the Danubius Group in Mariánské Lázně. Five of the hotels, and the beautifully ornate ‘Casino’ performance and conference hall, are connected by a 0.8km corridor. This is cleverly done such that each hotel appears distinct from the outside.

There is a wide range of treatments and activities across this vast, interconnecting complex. There’s continuous access to some other facilities too, such as swimming pools, saunas and hot tubs attached to pool areas. The five interconnecting hotels are all four or five star. There is a luxurious, efficient atmosphere across the complex, and the setting is breathtaking.

What empty nesters might not be so keen on: The hotel caters for its guests on a buffet basis. We found the food, the standard of waiting service and the choices on offer to be excellent, but some may feel that a la carte dining should be part of a five star stay. We discussed this point with the hotel management. They said it might be something they would consider in the future, and in the meantime, were able to recommend some excellent gourmet restaurants a short walk away.

In the interest of disclosure, we received three nights’ stay on the promise of writing a review. If we had had criticisms about any aspect of the accommodation or the service, we would have written about it. For more on our disclosure policy, read here.