Ringhotel Friederikenhof

It felt like a little pearl. The rooms were spacious, comfortable, and clean, and they welcomed our dog too. Lovely interior, a great breakfast, and kind, helpful staff.

The hotel itself is beautiful, but I left really disappointed with the service. At breakfast, we were told off for sitting four at a table set for six, even though there were other tables free. Later, an email reprimanded us for taking bottles of water to our room, with each bottle costing 12 euros. There was no sign saying the water had to be paid for, while the snacks beside it did have a price list. I paid a lot to stay here and didn't enjoy it at all.

Dinner was the standout for us. The cooking was inventive, with dishes like Wels catfish, smoked eel, and fish roe, and that's what earned the place five stars from us. We spent a Saturday night here during our road trip from Switzerland to Copenhagen. The hotel-restaurant is in a lovely spot near Lübeck and the Elbe-Lübeck canal, in a farm converted from the mid 1800s. There are interesting decorations in and around the three main buildings. The rooms feel a little dated, but the beds are good and the shower decent. Service at dinner had a few hiccups, with orders forgotten, while reception was kind and efficient. The wines by the glass were decent. Breakfast was fine, though not as good as dinner. Good value overall.

The food was excellent, with a high-class dinner and a really tasty breakfast. I loved the rural-chic feel, with the countryside charm alongside top-notch rooms and service. There are thoughtful little touches in the rooms, from the wooden decorations to the pictures used for room numbers. You can tell the owners have put care into the place. The staff were super nice, and I'd recommend staying a few nights to relax and unwind.