BALANCE - Das 4 Elemente SPA & GOLF Hotel

We paid nearly £3000 for a week and arrived excited about a luxurious, comfortable stay for our family of three: my husband, our 3-year-old, and me, five months pregnant. From the beginning, it was a letdown. This did not feel family friendly at all. There were no child-friendly meals or play area, and it seemed like nobody had considered what a family might need. Our supposedly luxurious suite was shockingly small. With the sofa bed open, we couldn’t open the balcony door or walk between the beds. There wasn’t even a bath, which matters with a toddler. The toiletries were minimal, the towels tiny, and the pillows flat and uncomfortable. Even with the lovely views, there was no way to have breakfast outside. Fresh air would have been a godsend with a child. The hotel felt dated and mismatched, from the furniture to the decor. The bed was uncomfortable, a rough thing to deal with when you’re pregnant and already having trouble sleeping. The pool area had no food or drink service. The spa was advertised as a destination, but the whole time we were there it was unattended, with nobody at reception. It felt bizarre walking into an unmanned spa. What I’ll remember most is how humiliatingly I was treated. There are no kettles in the rooms, so for three nights I politely asked downstairs for hot water to make tea. On the third night, in front of other guests, I was accused of “stealing” it and made to pay for an Earl Grey tea I hadn’t ordered. I was in my dressing gown and was escorted into the restaurant to sign for the charge. When I tried to explain, I was interrupted and treated with complete disrespect. There was no empathy or understanding, just humiliation. My husband raised it with the manager and owner the next day, but nothing was done. Nobody apologized or tried to make it right. They laughed off our concerns, as if our discomfort and embarrassment were a joke. After that I felt anxious for the rest of the stay, always wondering if I’d be reprimanded again over something trivial. We felt unwelcome, especially our 3-year-old son. It was painfully clear that children weren’t wanted there. The lack of basic hospitality and disregard for our concerns ruined what should have been a relaxing trip. If you’re considering this hotel, especially with children or if you expect decent customer service, please stay away. The experience was distressing, and a waste of time and money.

The staff were super friendly and welcoming, but for €320 a night, the value just wasn’t there. The gaps between what you’d expect and what you get are right in your face. The mattress was very old and uncomfortable, with springs you could see and feel. The pillows were old, uncomfortable, and had that firm, typical texture of budget pillows from 10 years ago. The room linen was old, too, and the hotel itself felt dated. There was no coffee setup in the room. Nothing was written in another language, not a sign or booklet, so if you don’t speak German, you’re lost. The spa was confusing, with signs only in German, several rooms closed, and no staff onsite to help guests who didn’t speak the language. We couldn’t enjoy it. The bar prices were at London levels, far too expensive for the place. I could say more about the decor, but that’s more personal. Avoid it if you’re looking for a unique hospitality experience.

We’ve already booked another stay, so yes, we’ll definitely return. We had a lovely long weekend at the Balance hotel. The staff were friendly and professional, the rooms spacious, and breakfast was great. Loved the salmon and prosecco, they really lifted the experience. The spa was amazing, with big pools, including one with seawater, and a huge sauna section with great saunas and views. Highly recommended!

ZERO STARS. The staff were rude and humiliated my pregnant wife in front of other guests for asking for HOT WATER. This 4 star hotel charges £3000 per week and doesn’t even put a kettle in the room, while most basic hotels do. Then they make up a price for plain hot water equal to the cost of tea. DISGRACEFUL. The owner likes upsetting pregnant women.