Vitalhotel Alter Meierhof

Sure, it’s not the Maldives, but for a Baltic escape, a more conducive environment to wellness than that enjoyed by the Alter Meierhof Vital Hotel could scarcely be imagined. Located on the German side of the Flensburg Fjord (Denmark is on the other side), the hotel occupies a quiet green spot adjacent to the water — one of the inlets of the Baltic Sea. A sandstone and half-timbered façade suggest that this is a centuries-old manor house, but a little probing reveals the Alter Meierhof was built in 1999 — so no gloomy corridors or plumbing issues here. Inside, modern amenities complement a classic design blueprint. Blonde hardwood floors feature in most rooms, white wooden furniture and generally lighter hues recreating the crispness of the Baltic air. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the fjord or the wilderness depending on your aspect, while luxuriously appointed bathrooms, broadband internet and flat-screen TVs help keep you comfortable when you’re not staring out at the sailboats or over the little town of Meierwik. While the Alter Meierhof is restorative enough just by virtue of its location, for more human-engineered wellness, it offers a 2,000-square-meter Arabian-inspired spa, thermal baths, Pilates, a Shiseido bar, and a full list of massages. Outside, Nordic walking treks are offered, as well as golf and sailing. In terms of food, the hotel makes up for its remoteness by providing guests with two-star Michelin chef Dirk Luther, and Brasserie meals can be taken by the water all year round, with the help of blankets and patio heaters. The Brasserie also delivers to the spa, so you can enjoy one of the ultimate luxuries — champagne and snacks between therapies, without needing to change out of your bathrobe.