Residenz am Gutshaus Dewichow

It's a lovely spot for a quiet break, with pretty holiday apartments in a well-kept complex. You can get away from the Baltic Sea crowds here, but still reach the sea in just a few minutes.

The remote setting was expensive for what it offered, especially with no infrastructure and no direct way down to the water. A construction site beside the holiday complex was noisy before 7:00 a.m., and the house barely kept the sound out. It was also almost impossible to get hold of anyone, and there was no property information, even about basics like whether there was a barbecue or where the washing machine was.

The sunset over the Achterwasser lagoon is fantastic, and you only have to walk a short way to see it. It's also very peaceful and secluded. The houses are lovely, cozy, and practical, though the price is why I can only give four stars. It could be a little lower, particularly outside peak season. There aren't shops nearby, but you can find that out in advance. The supermarket is a 15-minute drive, which isn't a big deal.

The cell reception was poor throughout the complex, and the Wi-Fi was awful. On Android, using the EDGE browser might help if you can't get onto the Wi-Fi. The washing machine only takes 50-cent coins, so bring enough. Staff were "tourist-friendly," but most of the time they weren't there, though they would arrive in about five minutes. Our small two-room apartment had the essentials: a kitchen with a stove, coffee maker, toaster, and fridge, plus a bedroom with a comfortable bed and a large bathroom with a shower. There was also a terrace, and the electric blinds blocked the light well enough.