Wyn. Strandhotel Sylt

The hotel is beautiful and close to the sea, but the staff made us feel unwelcome. At reception, two employees kept discussing their own important matters when we arrived with our suitcases. My husband had to ask if we'd found the reception desk. They confirmed it, then told us to sit and wait until they finished their conversation. The apartment we were given looked out onto the parking lot and the hotel's back yard, despite the website describing it as having a “sea view.” At the lounge bar, the bartender gave us a menu but kept chatting with a woman at a nearby table instead of taking our order. When he eventually came over, I asked for a Cosmopolitan. He kept offering me a Sex on the Beach instead, even after I said I wanted a Cosmopolitan. It was very unpleasant. He also spoke German to us although we were speaking English and had told him we didn't understand German. The hotel's location and appearance were lovely, but the staff behaved terribly.

The location made it easy to walk to all the shops, and we had a sea view. Breakfast had loads of choices, with friendly staff, and you didn’t have to get up especially early for it. We stayed nearly a week with our dog and had such a good time that we added another night. Once they knew he was coming, they’d put a dog bed, bowls, and snacks in our room.

Karl really made the stay feel like five stars instead of four. He took the time to welcome us, show us the hotel amenities, and help us discover the island, its culture, activities, sights, and restaurants we wouldn’t have found ourselves. He also arranged a private guided tour of the Wadden Sea mudflats, an ecological treasure. The local guide he recommended, Jan, was amazing. The other staff mostly stuck to the basics, so I hope Karl is appreciated for what he adds to the experience. We went during the week in early June, and there were no kids making noise in the pool, spa, or lounge, just fun dogs. The hotel is right by the dunes, with beach access nearby and beautiful, simple, clean facilities. Breakfast was generous, and the spa has a lap pool where you can look out at the sea, plus a gym, saunas, and a steam room. The bar on the fourth floor is a nice spot to watch the sunset.

The spa was spectacular, especially sitting in the 90-degree sauna and watching the North Sea’s icy waves roll onto the beach below. There were delicious Christmas dinners, a beautiful breakfast, and a cozy feel throughout. The staff were super friendly, too.