Villa Gruner - Praesidentensuite

We had a lovely vacation and would come back. Apartment 7 is right by the beach, with everything you need just a five-minute walk away. The location, comfort, and amenities were all great, and the sunny balcony and covered veranda were highlights. The kitchen had everything we could want. The linen package was really lacking. If you plan to use the sauna, bring your own towels and a bathrobe. The sauna and fireplace were okay, and the place was clean enough, though I wouldn't look under the beds. We booked in November and got a pretty good price. The tablet didn't work, so we couldn't access things that way. The Sonos system was unusable at first, then worked with an iPhone. The technology felt a bit complicated.

The suite is bright, very large, and has enough space for eight people. Still, the price makes no sense for what you get, and talking with the owner led nowhere. We were told not to make such a fuss because we could still use the apartment, and that our expectations as vacationers were too high. The building problems include doors that scrape, loose taps, and leaky showers. Those things shouldn't be happening in a presidential suite. The tablet controls are also badly limited because the software is completely outdated. Wi-Fi had such severe interruptions at times that we couldn't use it during the day. Two of the whirlpool's three pumps don't work, and the water only reaches 36 degrees. The indirect lighting can't be controlled in every room. None of this was resolved after we spoke with the owner.

Since Villa Gruner was renovated, we have stayed there every time we visit Zinnowitz, which we do yearly. For my birthday, I booked the suite, and it went beyond what we expected. The interior designer has done a wonderful job here, as in the villa's other apartments. Everything feels carefully thought through, beautifully furnished, and high quality. We felt at home right away. For the accommodation itself, I'd give it 8 out of 5 stars. The management is a different story. The hours are too limited, and outside them it's hard to reach anyone. The pricing feels unethical: the advertised starting price doubles when the villa is fully booked. They also charge for two parking spaces even if you come by train. I'd give management 2 out of 5. The stay itself more than makes up for those problems. I read the outrageous review from our immediate predecessor, who stayed at New Year's Eve 2022, and felt I should respond. The Wi-Fi isn't great, but people paying for this place usually have plenty of mobile data. One whirlpool jet was broken, but it still did what it was meant to and more. Anyone giving the place only 2 out of 5 must have had their swing set too close to the house wall. Some people have lost all sense of proportion and reality.

We had a wonderful stay in Villa Gruner, Apartment 2. The apartment was lovely, clean, and fully equipped, and it's in a great location. Whenever we had a problem, the service was friendly. Thanks for a great time, we'll definitely be back!