Do you know those times when you are just exhausted, tired, uninspired? Most likely when you’ve worked too much, didn’t get enough sleep and just haven’t had enough time for yourself in a while. It has been a time like that for me and my best friend. So we’ve made the only sane decision one could make in that situation: to get a break! Soon we found the Hotel Gräflicher Park quite close to our home town cologne. While browsing through the Website we couldn’t believe all the benefits this place has to offer:
- Amazingly beautiful surrounding: the “Gräflicher Park”
- Extensive spa area on 1.500 m² with a pool, saunas
- Big variety of wellness and medical treatments
- 2 restaurants and 1 cafe each with very good reputation
- Included Ayurveda clinic
- Modern and beautiful rooms
Especially the Ayurveda treatments and approach which even applies to the menu of the restaurant fascinated us. Decision made! A few weeks ago in October 2017 my friend, her baby and me spent two nights at the hotel. Spoiler alert: we LOVED it there. The whole property was built 230 years ago in the 17th century and is run by a family in 7th generation. When we arrived and got a first glimpse at the venue we wondered if this could really be the hotel we are about to stay in. It’s just amazingly beautiful. During our stay we had the pleasure to experience the Ayurveda pulse diagnosis, the Ayurveda three course menue including a chat with the chef, tried all of the restaurants and the spa area. I guess one could say that we really made the best of our stay. So where to start? I’d like to point out the two highlights. First, the pulse diagnosis which was examined by Vaidya Kumaran Rajsekhar has been astonishing. Both of us were surprised which detailed insights he received by simply taking our pulse and asking a few questions. At the end, you’ll get a detailed recommendation regarding the recommended diet and lifestyle. Secondly, to complete this experience we signed up for the three course Ayurveda menu which was prepared by head chef Thomas Blümel. What should I say? You simply HAVE to book this when you are there. I told my friend that this has probably been the best meal of my life and I still can’t believe how great it was. Also, it has been vegan and prepared according to ayurvedic principles. So basically, it has been full of amazing flavours, healthy and cruelty free. What a great combination. Also, talking with Thomas Blümel has been very interesting and gave us an insight on how many benefits this way of cooking has and also how the staff of Gräflicher Park is treated. The management obviously internalized how important it is to support the health of the bodies and minds of their employees. I personally find this very progressive and also it is something which you can really tell as everybody is just extremely friendly and positive. Well, what can I say: this weekend was just everything we did hope for and more.
