Maison d'Hôtes Ancien Couvent

The pool ended up being my favorite part of the property. It’s huge, around 150 cm deep, with room to walk around it, five chairs, and four loungers. The stone lawn gives your feet a lovely massage if you go barefoot. The whirlpool worked perfectly once Ms. Diez showed me how to use it. There’s another whirlpool inside the spa cottage, but I didn’t try that one. The cottage has an open shower near the entrance, a toilet behind it, wooden loungers, a cross trainer, and a solarium you pay extra for. The sauna is downstairs and only has room for three people to lie down. There were several sauna infusions and scents to choose from. The pool and spa both have set opening hours, though you can enjoy the outdoor area before the pool opens. I’d bring a cooler so you don’t have to keep going back to the kitchen. I booked the spa cottage as an extra. It’s a very quiet, secluded, idyllic spot. You might see about seven cars go by in a day. If you’re looking to relax, this place fits. We enjoyed dinner under the large pavilion, and the courtyard has plenty of seating that makes it a nice place to linger. There’s also a nostalgic seating nook by the entrance, with brochures about things to do nearby. A long table in the living room works well for meals and drinks with friends or family. The monastery is easy to find in Zelsheim, a district of Friesenheim. The iron gate says “L'ancient Couvent” (The Ancient Convent). It stays locked, and beyond it is a large gravel parking area with trees and plants, with room for at least five cars. On the left from the gate is the front door to the monastery’s semi-detached house. Ms. Diez lives in the other half with her family. The pavilion outside has comfortable seating and two gas grills. It’s especially cozy in the evening, and I’d recommend taking a stroll there. To the right, stairs lead down to the pool and wellness area. The gate can be awkward to open and has a latch that makes it slam shut, so watch your fingers around the frame. The kitchen is fully equipped, with a washing machine and dishwasher. The house is advertised for 10, but I think 8 is the most you’d want if you don’t want to feel cramped. There are plenty of beds, though: five double bedrooms on the first and second floors, reached by a creaky wooden staircase. Each room has a shower and toilet, and the upstairs one also has a corner bathtub. There’s no toilet in the ground-floor living area, which can be inconvenient but is manageable. The shower water takes a long time to warm up, so be patient. The Wi-Fi works, though not very well. The bookable monastery area is good for kids since the iron gate can’t be opened from outside. During our stay, the front door was left open every day except at night. The stairwell light comes on with a motion sensor when you enter the room or hallway. Everything was clean, stylishly furnished, and easy to find your way around. The baker stops by every morning at 8:00 a.m. with whatever you might want. I especially liked the baguettes. We could really enjoy the peace and quiet.