Hotel de Echoput

Breakfast was the highlight for me, with a generous spread, fresh milk, real butter, and really good bread. The spa was pleasant, with a warm room and a pool, though I wish the water had been warmer. The gym was clean and well equipped, and the peaceful natural setting was beautiful. Getting there by bike was easy, with a lovely maintained route through the woods, and the roads for both bikes and cars felt safe. Everyone was kind from the moment we arrived, even helping carry our things upstairs. Our room was warm, clean, and spacious enough for us and the baby, and the little welcome gifts for our child were a thoughtful touch. Staff at the Wildbar were especially welcoming and made us feel like old friends. The one thing we missed was a refrigerator in the room, which would've been useful with a baby. Still, we had a great stay and would come back.

The restaurant was magnificent, and the staff were genuinely kind and helpful. I had a pleasant stay overall. The five star rating does feel a little odd, though: there was no way to control the room heating, the bathroom seemed unfinished, with nowhere to hang towels and no soap in the shower. The power sockets were awkwardly placed, and the lighting was very dim.

Service seemed well meant, but there weren't enough people working. The front desk was unattended several times, so I couldn't get a dental kit after forgetting my toothbrush. Breakfast staff were stretched thin too, and most of the limited buffet ran out and took ages to come back. There was machine coffee instead of barista made, little fruit, no plant based yoghurt, no hot vegetables like potatoes, and not many baked choices. Made to order food was available, but the waiters were hard to catch. They were smiling and pleasant, but breakfast was unacceptable for the premium price, especially for a hotel with such a generous five star rating. I might return, but not for breakfast. The setting is lovely, and the drive in and out goes through pretty forest. Although the hotel is beside the main road, our room facing a small pond and courtyard was quiet. We stayed one night on the way to a family outing. Our standard room was larger than many premium rooms at major European chains. It had a separate tub, a double head shower, and its own toilet. The single ply toilet paper seemed odd for a luxury hotel. The bathrobe was rough as sandpaper, and some fabric softener in the laundry would help. I had the small spa to myself, which was blissful, but it wouldn't have been comfortable with other guests there. It has a traditional sauna and a small indoor pool, much like a higher end gym.

Breakfast service was a real bright spot. The server remembered what I like to drink in the morning and was attentive and professional. The room itself was decent, but there was nothing special about it and it didn't even have a fridge, which feels like a basic amenity. For a five star hotel, the price is far too high. The facilities were nice but small, and there wasn't a lobby to sit in, just a bar that shut at 11. We rented bikes, and one was rusty, uncomfortable, and clearly needed maintenance.