Often, the goal of a weekend away is to explore new places – to experience new cultures, new foods, new sights. But sometimes, and this includes during a global pandemic, the goal of a weekend away can be simply to do nothing in a place that isn’t your house. The latter was our goal for this trip, and we absolutely achieved it.
The Hotel
We originally booked this December weekend away at one of our favourite hotels in Germany (Roomers in Baden Baden), but that was when we were all cocky and carefree between the first and second waves. However, as December got closer and the second wave started looking more like a tsunami, it became clear that crossing borders was not going to be an option, and we pulled out our Swiss hotel bucket list.
Close to the top of this list was the Seerose Resort & Spa, on Hallwilersee. Friends of ours had been there in summer and had a great time, so both our families decided to book in for a couple of nights between Christmas and New Years Eve.
From our home near Basel, it was just over an hour´s drive away, the closest to home we have ever spent a night away, and yet when we arrived at Hallwilersee, we immediately felt a long way from home. The hotel is directly on the lake and comprised of some original buildings and one big, new modern building. It is actually quite big, with three restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools and a spa – however, it still feels like a luxury boutique hotel, complete with a glass of champagne on arrival
The Room
We were very lucky that our friends could give us precise instructions when booking our room: a Junior Suite on the South Side. These are the ones with bathtubs on the balconies and an incredible view of the Alps behind the lake. The room was impossible to fault – with a bathroom having almost its own little hallway and then the main room with an entire wall of windows facing towards the lake. The décor was all high quality, and it would have seemed even more luxurious if not for the kids’ beds (the couch turned into a bed and an additional baby bed).
The highlight of the rooms is certainly the bathtub on the balcony, which fills up to a perfect temperature in just a couple of minutes; I was pretty sure I wasn’t a bath person, until I was sitting in there, gazing over the lake towards the Alps, sparkling rosé in hand. It was also a big hit with the kids, and my friend was even clever enough to bring some lovely bath bombs for us all.
The Food
It felt like such a treat getting to eat two nights in a restaurant, even if COVID meant that we didn’t share a table with our friends and wore masks. The first night we ate in the Restaurant Cocoon, which was fine dining, Thai style. Both the atmosphere and food were excellent, and we must have done something nice in a past life, because both children behaved like angels.
The second night we ate in Restaurant Seerose, the more traditional restaurant, both in décor and menu. It was also delicious and perhaps a little more family-friendly (although kids are welcome everywhere). The buffet breakfast was also excellent, spread across two different restaurants due to COVID, so plenty of space (especially if you have kids that think 7.00 am is always the right time for breakfast, even on holidays).
The Activities
This section is short, given the goal was to do very little. On the first day, we stopped at a nearby castle for a walk (you know you’re becoming Swiss when you write this in the same tone as ‘we stopped at a nearby playground’). Schloss Hallwyl is very picturesque and perfect for a nice walk, even if it’s currently not possible to go inside (Opens again in April). On the other day, we drove to a small lake about an hour away for a very cold & snowy five-kilometre walk around the XX lake. Other than that, we just enjoyed the hotel – including swimming in the fantastic indoor pool each morning (kids are welcome there between 7-10 am) and then additional ‘swims’ in the balcony bath. (The Thai Spa is apparently amazing, but we had to pretend it didn’t exist on this trip, as my husband and I had committed to playing a team defense against the kids)
The Verdict
With my usual Christmas homesickness compounded by COVID, this getaway was exactly what was needed to get us to the end of a very crazy year. I thought I had enjoyed it the most. But after we got home, our 4-year-old son woke up the first few mornings and cried when he realised that we weren’t at the hotel anymore, and we’re not going to be starting our day with a buffet breakfast and swim. I feel ya, buddy.
We would love to come back for a visit in summer when we can also make use of the outdoor pool and the lovely outdoor terraces. Now that I think about it, I guess being stuck travelling within Switzerland for another few months will probably be bearable.
