The Place
Sheltered by conifer trees on all sides, Burghotel Schnellenburg, a 13thC hilltop fortress, gazes down over the town of Attendorn. It is the epitome of elegance and luxury, but you won’t find the stiffness here that many hotels in this league tend to adopt; far from haughty, staff here are courteous and friendly.
All the rooms are decorated with antiques, opulent furnishings and gleaming white bathrooms. But for true magic, opt for one of the five ‘tower rooms’, which enjoy sweeping views across the surrounding landscape. In one of these special rooms, the centrepiece is a huge intricately carved bed, clothed in fresh white linen and set diagonally across the room from one corner. The large windows either side of it are swathed in creamy yellow and flood the room with light.
Although perfect for honeymoons and romantic breaks, the hotel has also thought of every detail for hosting a fabulous wedding, including a peaceful flag stoned chapel for religious ceremonies and a candlelit area within the cloisters for civil services. However, don’t feel that this is only for those in search of a romantic setting for their stay. With its vast array of sporting activities and the introduction of a sauna in 2003, this is the perfect spot for unwinding, enjoying the clean air and sampling the sumptuous menus on offer at the hotel’s restaurants. We love this hotel and would be interested to hear what others think.