If you’re planning to head to the Czech Republic and hadn’t thought about venturing out of Prague, then reconsider. Chateau Mcely is an elegant and luxurious five-star castle/eco-chic hotel nestled in the countryside about an hour’s drive from the center of Prague. To get there, you’ll drive through rural Czech countryside and small villages, with old stone barns that look like they haven’t been renovated since they were built. In other words, when you arrive, you’ll feel like you’re a lifetime away from the city and from anywhere you’ve ever experienced. I think the spot is ideal for a romantic getaway quite frankly but if you are solo and want a hidden gem that is quiet, relaxing and meditative, then this is a great choice as well, especially given their picturesque pond and separate spa building where you can escape to heaven for a few hours.

The interior is furnished a bit like a castle but using modern decor with soft romantic colors and if you’re someone who loves attention to detail, you’ll love this gem of a find. Meticulous every step of the way, you’ll find a creative discovery at every turn, all of which are extended into their 24 rooms. That’s right — it’s a small property despite its size which equates to peace, tranquility and serenity and a whole lotta decadence in between. My favorite part of the chateau is by far and away, the front porch with its plants and flowers protruding in every direction. While I was there for a few warm days in September, it is apparently open during the winter months and they use heat lamps to keep it toasty.

I was lucky to get there between lunch and dinner, so I had that luxurious and I’d argue romantic porch all to myself. If you’re a poet, artist or novelist, take note — how could you not be inspired by this place?

Lunch on the patio — I was so comfortable and happy I didn’t want to leave despite having a pampering spa appointment using all natural products on my schedule on my first afternoon.

While I wanted to have every meal on oh so alive and luscious patio bursting with plants and light, Chateau Mcely’s inside dining room was about as elegant and luxe as it gets — the owners know how to pay attention to detail and they make sure you reap the benefit in every single room. Exquisite!

Breakfast consisted of cold meats, homemade breads from a local baker, croissants and muffins, eggs, sausage, organic fruit, veggies and yoghurt, but there was also a choice of caviar, smoked salmon and champagne, all of beautifully presented on a stylish buffet table in the main dining room.

A Natural Wonderland

Outside, it’s about as majestic as it gets with its perfectly manicured lawns and gardens. People set up croquet while I was there and when a game wasn’t happening, water would spray in all directions to keep the landscape green and lush. The park area nearby can also accommodate football tennis and basketball.

A shot taken from the front lawn with Chateau Mcely in the background….let’s just say that I was a happy camper here sipping my morning tea.

There are some lovely walks you can take from the main property, including to the nearby organic garden, children’s play area and a whole outdoor section dedicated to outdoor weddings. You’ll also stumble upon a beautiful fountain on your walk. It was pure bliss!

The English park with an area of five hectares holds small tournaments in croquet, petanque, badminton or tennis on the multi-pitch. The surrounding St. George Forest is great for mushroom picking, flower gazing or simply reading a book. They cater to kids as well if you decide to go there with your family in tow — there’s the Under the Daisy children’s playground and the adorable Princess Julinka’s Cottage with a nearby hammock to relax in — shown below. There are also complimentary bicycles on the property as well which you can use to ride around the nearby towns or simply get lost in the countryside.

The views and sunsets are exquisite as well.

The Rooms

Each room is personalized, so depending on your style, you can opt for one that is a little more modern or a room that is more traditional with an old fashioned tub. Here are some examples of their rooms.

Chateau Mcely’s Luxury Spa

They apparently have a local Nine Flowers tradition that inspired the owner of Chateau Inez Cusumano who then went on to create several branded therapies at the spa. If you love flowers, be sure to visit during the warmer months so you can catch them in bloom. Since the spa building is separated from the main chateau and you need to walk down to it, I’d also recommend going during Spring, Summer or Fall to take advantage of the walks as well as the natural pond that sits just outside the main spa building. I relaxed here after my treatment and it was hard to leave even with a five star dinner waiting.

The treatment room is more like a spacious wooden bungalow with perfect fung shui and relaxing energy in all directions. There are a couple of massage tables, making it perfect for a romantic massage for two session should you be thinking of Chateau Mcely for a romantic getaway. Notice the large soaking tub to the left of me and imagine rose petals in a soapy bubble path with your name on it. Your next question would have to be: where do I sign up? They have three exclusive therapeutic suites: Honey, Pearls and Silk and the spa is open everyday from 8 am to 8 pm, which gives you a lot more flexibility than some luxury spas for booking slots. They have an outdoor whirlpool, a wooden sauna and an herbal steam room adjacent to the spa bungalow. The Pearls Suite is on the ground floor and has a steam bath inlaid with onyx, the Silk Suite is on the top floor in the tower and the Honey Pavilion is in the English park and features a large wooden tub and wood-burning fireplace.

The lovely natural pond outside….

The outdoor hot tub

For sale near the reception…

A few great therapies and treatments worth mentioning include the BEACH GODDESS, a detoxifying and slimming ritual, MELT VELVET, a sensual ritual with warm wax and POPPY DREAMS, a ritual for deep sleep and silky smooth skin. These are over and above more classic treatments like restorative, aroma and herbal massages, facials, body peelings and private workouts with a private trainer.

I went for a therapy they call the ROSE RITUAL. After a cleansing rose body peeling that leaves your skin feeling ultra smooth, firm and radiant, you’ll be wrapped like a baby bunting while having a Rosehip Honey peeling and regenerating Rose Serum. After a shower, they give you a full body massage with Melissa Balm containing rose and chamomile. Roses are apparently known for gently fighting against depression, sadness and feelings of uncertainty. They use all natural skincare products, all developed at Chateau Mcely, using local medicinal plants and rare natural ingredients from around the world. Not only are their spa treatments natural, but everything about the place “feels” natural, from the outdoor jacuzzi under the stars, to the tennis court shaded by an old Turkish hazelnut tree to their open-air fitness center. The swimming lake as noted above, is all natural and there’s an enchanting little cottage and hammock reachable via a short walk as shown above. In other words, it’s an eco-chic green hotel with a 17th century castle wine cellar, scrumptious food, forest hiking, bicycle trails and five star spa experiences all in one place.

Did I mention the natural cosmetic making classes, the praline making and cooking classes, leadership conferences, a secret alchemical elixir tasting in the Alchemist Club, cognac on the roof-top observatory or the “Plant your company tree” program in the chateau park? Like I said, they ‘get the details,’ and it shows in everything they do.

Culinary Heaven @ Piano Nobile

The main restaurant on the premises — Piano Nobile — was apparently declared the best restaurant in 2014 to serve a seasonal a la carte menu using top notch ingredients from local suppliers. They were also rated as one of the best five restaurants in the Czech Republic this year by Maurer’s Grand Restaurant Guide. Executive Chef Honza Sterba and his staff use fresh herbs from their gardens, make marmalade in-house and use fresh organic ingredients from neighboring farms, including fish from nearby lakes, delicacies from an organic sheep farm in the area and others. Here are a few photos entice you however be sure to read this independent write-up on my dining experience on Piano Nobile which includes the menu, wine and visuals in more depth. It was absolutely decadent and delicious — in other words, it’s worth a side trip from Prague for the food alone, although you’ll absolutely want to stay in this stunning countryside chateau surrounded by gardens and quaint natural pond. Two thumbs up; I will be back!!

DETAILS:

Chateau Mcely *****

Mcely 61 289 36 Mcely
Czech Republic

+420 325 600 000

Useful Articles and Links for Spa & Wellness Travel in the Czech Republic

Note: I was a guest of the hotel however all opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Renee Blodgett

Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.

She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.

Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.

Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.