Having decided for the Parkschlosschen as an alternative for a mainstream spa retreat has been on the top of a short list of good decisions I took a number of months ago. What triggered my attention in this hotel was its authentic approach to Ayurvedic treatment practices and concept without the usual compromises that many establishments of the category allow themselves these days. Coming from a fairly pressured profession trying to break away from a specifically stressful 6 months, I was wondering whether the treatments would deliver the promised cleansing and rejuvenation-like effects that I had been hoping for. Let me just lay it straight out: my expectations were far exceeded. After an individual tour of the hotel given by a lady from guest relation (herself also of Indian origin and a doctor of Ayurvedic medicine), I was escorted to the in-house Ayurveda doctor, an Indian-born gentleman coming from a family of multigenerational Ayurveda doctors of which himself is the latest practitioner. He certainly appears to be the heart of the establishment directing the treatment aspect of things. The diagnosis experience is so reassuring that one already feels excited to start with the massage treatments, yoga classes, herbal medicines, and special dietary regimes all carefully planned out by the doctor and tailored to one's inherent body-mind constellation and present state of physical and mental condition. Although I reserved my judgment at first, I must say that about 2 days into the treatment I already felt the changes and by the end of the 7 day de-poisoning cure I felt like a new person. I was particularly pleased that the process of transformation and learning didn't stop on the day I finished with the treatment but extended beyond that: the sheer amount of educational content on subjects of the like of stress management, the principles of ayurveda, meditation, yoga, diet, and other relevant health/life balance aspects the guest is well equipped to keep busy long after the stay. The hotel also has a shop with an extensive range of literature on Ayurveda, meditation, recipes, spices, delicacies, herbs and different oils and skin-care products. Everything is of strictly biological origin. One has the option to order these on the hotel's website too. Staff was very friendly and professional from the therapists through the receptionists to the director of the hotel who came to greet guests during a special fruit-cocktail event (remember, no alcohol here!). One has the impression that nothing is being forced on them yet there is a constant sense of attention of the finely synchronized detail elements of therapy and hospitality. I felt as if the entire mechanism was dedicated to my personal recreation purposes: no noise, no stress factors, no gratuitous amenities no overload in any sense of the word. The concept, the service, the food, and the facilities stand for balance and harmony. This might prompt a mild word of caution for the casual traveller: this is not a conventional full-service spa hotel. While it is five-star in all aspects of its offering (certainly one of the cleanest hotels I've seen even with Western European standards), the Parkschloesschen does not allow for compromises on Ayurveda principles. There are no sodas, alcohol or coffee served. The food, while of the highest quality and conveniently diverse, follows a vegetarian/vegan diet. Cell phones in public areas, animals, and children below 12 years of age are not allowed. While these measures may seem restrictive for some, I found they were necessary conditions to allow for the deep relaxation I needed. Wholheartedly recommended to anyone wishing to break away of the noises and stresses of their daily lives, get rid of mental or physical strain, looking for a transformational change of lifestyle, or simply trying to lose weight (I lost 4 kg during my 7 days!). Don't miss the Ayurveda cooking course and the organized tour in the Buddha Haus (a collection of over 1000 Buddha figures and statues)! The evening presentations are also informative and useful. I was impressed; definitely going back again! read more