Estonia isn’t just about the city of Tallinn, which albeit a beautiful and historical stop, won’t give you the rich textures and diversity of Estonia’s culture or people. Enter the natural and beautiful destination of Muhu Island. Those who are flying in straight from New York City and operate at a fast pace most of the time, may need a stop between urban life and this small island, a short ferry ride away. Things do not move quickly on Muhu, although that is precisely it’s beauty, its charm and the reason to spend time there.
While Muhu Island is largely about fishing villages, nature and rural settings, there is a pocket of luxury tucked away on the southern tip of the island, a small resort known as Pädaste Manor, once the home of Barons’ riding-horses and caleches. The property which dates back to the 16th century, has a handful of seaside buildings, a small spa and the renowned Alexander Restaurant. (see our write up on the Alexander Restaurant, which is in the Estonia Food & Wine Section of WBTW).
You can choose to stay in the Manor House, the Carriage House or rent out the entire Farm House (ideal choice if you’re a family or traveling with friends). Frankly, it would even make a great corporate retreat. Four rooms and eight suites adorned with antique furniture are renovated into a countrified style, complete with Eastern throw rugs on hard wooden floors. I stayed in the Carriage House, which had a small living room seating area on the lower level with the bathroom and on the upper level was the bedroom, carpeted and cosy, the bed couching below slanted off-white washed walls. Every split-level suite can accommodate two extra guests on a pull-out couch on the first floor.
If you opt for a suite in the carriage house, you’ll enjoy a private balcony overlooking the park and sea. While there isn’t a kitchen downstairs to make yourself a cuppa tea, you can call for a delivery to your room or choose to sip away while relaxing in their quiet lobby area, which has a working fireplace and grand piano, which I took great pleasure in playing the moment arrived. Others took off on bikes and country walks for a stint before we re-convened in the sauna, which we reserved for our group.
While the spa is small, they offer most of the traditional services you’d expect, such as facials, massage and access to a steam room and sauna. There is a sea water hot tub as well, however it is a bit of a walk from the main house, as it is located down by the sea. Not as tempting when the weather is cooler, however, that distance also provides more seclusion from the main buildings, making it a more romantic alternative whether you’re with a partner or simply want to take in the starry sky above you.
For the more adventurous, they have a Siberian cold tub to freshen you between sauna visits. I for one, chose the shower, but it’s there for the taking for all of my cold weather loving friends.
At the spa, they also have something called the Muhu haybath, which is a special oatmeal and yogurt scrub or you can choose one of their mud treatments. They plaster your body with mud, and then wrap you in plastic so that you’re completely covered. Once this process is done, they lower you into warm water while the mud does its detoxification magic, leaving you feeling relaxed and renewed. After a treatment, I’d recommend taking in the Roman steam bath, which has natural herbal extracts or the wood burning sauna, which I didn’t want to leave since the smell was so lovely – fresh birch and juniper keg make their way through your senses.
Below is the main house, which is where the main restaurant is housed, as well as small lounge and bar area at the entrance of the house should you want to hang out with friends and family before bed.
We love this place and would recommend it to those wanting a quiet and relaxing getaway in natural surroundings. While the Estonia Tourism Board hosted me for my stay, all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Check out our other sections on the region, such as Estonia Food & Wine and Estonia Lodging. You will find other stories in culture, travel, music and arts as well.
Photo credits: Padaste’s website and 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.
