Bohemian Dream: Luxury Ski Chalet in Abertamy, Czech Republic
Bohemian Dream: Abertamy's Chalet - My Slightly Rambling, Utterly Honest Review
Okay, so picture this: I’m supposed to be reviewing the Bohemian Dream chalet in Abertamy, Czech Republic. Sounds glamorous, right? Ski chalet, luxury, the whole nine yards? Well, I went. And, well, let's just say it was an experience. Buckle up, buttercups and let's dive in!
Accessibility & The Not-So-Smooth Starts (and a Confession)
Right off the bat, the Accessibility section had me sweating. I had assumed "luxury" meant smooth sailing. Turns out, "facilities for disabled guests" are listed. But let me tell you, navigating a snowy mountain town when you're not a seasoned skier? Tricky. There's an elevator, which is a HUGE plus (especially after a few too many mulled wines!), but the actual getting to the chalet still involved a few icy, uphill battles. I'm not mentioning my slight tumble in front of the check-in desk, but hey, at least the staff saw the funny side. (They were laughing at me, I swear!)
Check-in/out [express] and [private]: They offer both! I opted for the private, thinking, “Ah, a discreet arrival, away from the prying eyes of…well, the world.” Turns out, the "private" check-in was just in a slightly cramped corner, and I fumbled with my passport more than I probably should have. Maybe I should have just gone for the express!
Cleanliness & Safety - Did Someone Say "Obsession"?
Listen, after the whole pandemic thing, I'm slightly obsessed with cleanliness. I'm talking, "Did they disinfect the air?" kind of obsessed. Bohemian Dream gets HUGE points here. They're practically tripping over themselves to sanitize everything. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, rooms sanitized between stays, the works. They must have gone through a pallet of hand sanitizer. And the staff trained in safety protocol? You could practically smell the commitment to hygiene. I found myself constantly checking for hand sanitizer stations. It was comforting (and maybe a little…overkill?).
The Spa: My One-Woman Pursuit of Bliss
Okay, enough about sanitization. Let’s talk about the Spa! This is where Bohemian Dream truly shines. I made it my mission to experience every single offering. Seriously.
- Sauna: Fantastic. Steamy, perfectly scented, and the perfect place to sweat out the stress of…well, everything.
- Steamroom: Again, AMAZING. I pretty much lived in it.
- Pool with view: Picture this: Warm water, snowflakes gently falling outside, the mountains in the distance. Breathtaking. I spent a good few hours there, fantasizing about never leaving (more on that later).
- Massage: Oh, the massage. I selected the “deep tissue” option. I needed it. The therapist was a miracle-worker. After a grueling weekend of "skiing" (more like, falling with style), I was practically a new person. I'm not even kidding; this was one of the best massages of my life and the biggest reason to return!
- Body scrub and body wrap: I caved, I did the scrub. It was wonderful, I felt so smooth!
- Gym/fitness: Ah, yes, the gym. I walked past this one. Frequently. (Let's be honest, after all the relaxation, I didn't need the workout.)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - A Foodie's Playground (with a few hiccups)
So, here’s the thing: the food was mostly excellent, but the options seemed a little…chaotic.
- Restaurants: There are multiple! A la carte in restaurant, a buffet restaurant, and, thankfully, breakfast service every morning.
- Asian breakfast and cuisine: A bit of a surprise. Very delicious though!
- Bar: Great for pre-dinner drinks.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant & coffee shop: I'm a big coffee drinker, and the coffee was decent.
- Poolside bar: Perfect when you are trying to spend your time at the swimming pool with a view.
- Snack bar: Great for a quick bite.
- Desserts in restaurant: Yes, please!
- Breakfast [buffet], Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: All very tasty!
- Happy hour: Well worth it!
- Room service [24-hour]: A life-saver when you've been hitting the slopes and the beer a little too hard.
- Soup, salad, alternative meal arrangement: I found these options helpful and delicious!
The Cashless payment service was seamless. And while I appreciated the Individually-wrapped food options and Safe dining setup for safety, the sheer volume of options was a little overwhelming. I felt like I was constantly making choices, even when I just wanted a simple snack. And oh! The Bottle of water that was provided, I am not sure if it was the cold weather or the quality, but I think I have drunk 10 of those.
Rooms - Comfort, Plus a Few Quirks
The Air conditioning, Air conditioning in public area: I did not need this! The weather was great during my stay.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. All I needed was here!
The rooms themselves were lovely, although I did find a minor issue: Non-smoking, Smoke detector, So I tried to smoke a single cigarette (guilty, I know!), but there was a detector, and I needed to change hotel several times during my stay!
Services and Conveniences - A Mixed Bag
- Concierge: Super helpful. They helped me book a car and dealt with some last-minute changes to my itinerary.
- Currency exchange: Essential for a place like Abertamy.
- Daily housekeeping, Ironing service, Laundry service: All efficient and appreciated.
- Luggage storage & Safety deposit boxes: Good.
- Doorman and 24-hour front desk: Helpful!
- Cash withdrawal & Convenience store: I love this.
- Dry cleaning : I'll take it!
One notable negative: The Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free] in all rooms, Wi-Fi in public areas, Internet services, Internet [LAN], Internet, it wasn’t the most reliable. I had a few moments of internet-induced panic when trying to catch up on work.
For the Kids - My Inner Child Loved it (Sort Of)
While I didn't have any kids with me, I did see the babysitting service in action, and the family-friendly atmosphere was undeniable. There are Kids facilities and Kids meal, for the little ones.
Getting Around - The Car Park Dilemma
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Valet parking: Great.
- Airport transfer, Taxi service, Bicycle parking: I used these to reach the place.
They offer a Car park [free of charge]! A good thing, considering the location.
The Verdict (and the Rambling Conclusion)
Bohemian Dream is a mixed bag. It's luxurious, yes, but not without its imperfections. The spa is heavenly. The food is mostly delicious, the staff are friendly and helpful, and the commitment to hygiene is top-notch. However, the accessibility challenges, occasional internet glitches, and overwhelming food options hold it back from perfection.
I wanted to love this place unequivocally. And, honestly, I almost did. I'd go back in a heartbeat – mostly for that massage and the pool – but next time, I'll be more prepared, more assertive about my expectations, and maybe I'll just bring my own snacks.
Escape to This Stunning Farmhouse in the Dutch Countryside!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's colour-coded travel itinerary. This is Bohemian Rhapsody: A Slightly Tipsy Guide to Abertamy. We’re talking a holiday home near Ski Area and Forests in the Czech Republic, and let me tell you, I’m already half-expecting to find a gnome living in the chimney.
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (But with Good Beer)
- 14:00 - 16:00: Travel from Prague via Car: The drive. Oh, the drive. Picture this: me, blasting Queen, attempting to decipher Czech road signs that look suspiciously like hieroglyphics, and my friend Sarah, in the passenger seat, repeatedly checking her phone for cell service. "Are we there yet?" she sighs every 15 minutes. The GPS, bless its algorithm-dependent heart, kept insisting we take a detour through a farming village. It involved driving through a dirt track that I am pretty sure was the actual set for one of the Bohemian classic films.
- 16:00: Arrival at the Holiday Home: I'd seen the photos. Cozy, charming, idyllic. The reality? Even better. It was a proper fairytale cottage, wooden beams, a roaring fireplace (I’m already planning a marshmallow massacre), and the most ridiculous, tiny little garden gnome strategically placed in front of a flower. I think I just got over the road trip.
- 16:30 to 17:00: Unpacking & Initial Reconnaissance: We try to make it cosy but the apartment building looks like an unfinished set. This meant immediate inspection of the beer selection. Honestly, this is the true test of any holiday home. Success! Some lovely local lagers and a dark brew that promised to be a real palate-pleaser.
- 17:00 - 18:00: Initial Pub Recon: Walking to the local pub. It’s a two-second stroll. So, we were there in a flash. It really looked like a locals-only place. A proper pub with wooden tables, a fireplace, and the smell of beer, cigarettes (that wasn't good), and something vaguely resembling sausage. We ordered two beers and attempted to make small talk with the bartender. He looked at us like we'd sprouted a second head. But he brought the beer. Success!
- 18:00 - 19:00: Home Cooking Experiment: Okay, the kitchen. It's… well-equipped. However, I do not think I have the skills to make anything other than toast. So, we are ordering pizza.
- 19:00 - 22:00: Fireplace & Existential Dread: I was ready to be a moody teenager again. The fireplace! I swear, I've never felt more content in my life than when watching those flames. Sarah read a book, I stared into the fire.
- 22:00: Bedtime: My phone died and I was forced to rest.
Day 2: Skiing (Or the Great Downhill Humiliation)
- 08:00 - 08:30: Wake Up and Breakfast: Instant coffee and a pastry. I hate early mornings, but the crisp mountain air was doing something to me. I was happy, maybe even excited?
- 09:00 - 12:00: Skiing Fail: The ski area is a five-minute drive. I went skiing once a few years ago, and it was a complete disaster. This time was no different. I spent more time on my backside than upright, and the only "skills" I acquired were an intimate knowledge of the texture of fresh snow and the exact location of every bruise on my body. Sarah, on the other hand, was a natural. Gliding down the slopes with effortless grace, looking like a total ski goddess. I. HATE. HER. (Just kidding… kinda.) The highlight? Accidentally skiing into a group of school kids and sending them all sprawling. Atleast they got a good giggle.
- 12:00 - 13:00: Lunch Break at the Ski Lodge: Hot chocolate, a greasy sausage, and a moment of self-pity. Because, you know, falling down a mountain can work up an appetite.
- 13:00 - 16:00: More Skiing (and more failing): I had the brilliant idea of attempting a blue run. It was less brilliant than I thought. More falls, more laughter, more humiliation. I contemplated just sitting in the lodge drinking hot chocolate.
- 16:00 - 17:00: Post-Ski Debrief & Beer Therapy: Back at the cottage, we nursed our aches and pains with a cold beer. The Czechs know how to brew beer.
- 17:00 - 18:00: Relaxation: The afternoon sun was making beautiful shadows on the wooden beams. It was too nice out to stop. We ended up having a light walk.
- 18:00 - 20:00: Dinner & Competitive Board Games. We played a game of chess and I lost quite badly.
- 20:00 - 22:00: Relaxing Again: I was so tired. We just watched a film.
- 22:00: Bedtime: Sleep came very quickly.
Day 3: Forests & Fermentation (and Possibly More Beer)
- 09:00 - 09:30: Breakfast: Same as before.
- 10:00 - 13:00: Hiking in the Forest: Okay, I'm attempting to describe the walk in the forest and I have no words. It was beautiful. I swear I heard the trees whisper secret stories. The air smelled of pine needles and something earthy and wonderful. We got a little lost, which was good. We found a stream and attempted, and failed, to skip rocks.
- 13:00 - 14:00: Lunch - Picnic in the Woods: We had packed a picnic. Sandwiches, apples, and more beer, because Czechia.
- 14:00 - 16:00: Back to the Cottage.
- 16:00 - 18:00: Brewery Visit: We visited a local brewery. It was glorious. We sampled all the beers, and I purchased a t-shirt that probably cost more than my first car. We listened to a brief explanation in Czech and understood absolutely nothing. But the beer was good and the atmosphere was lively.
- 18:00 - 20:00: Dinner at a Local Restaurant: We found a restaurant. It had traditional Czech food, which was delicious and so heavy that I felt I might need a forklift to get out of my chair.
- 20:00 - 22:00: Relaxation Again: Watching the fire and I feel like I have been on holiday for months.
- 22:00: Bedtime: Sleep!
Day 4: Departure & The Sadness of Leaving (and One Last Beer)
- 08:00 - 09:00: Packing & Breakfast: Pack. Pack. Pack. I hate packing.
- 09:00 - 10:00: Last walk in the forest: We went straight for a walk.
- 10:00 - 11:00: Final Thoughts: Final thoughts? This place is pure magic. I want to live here.
- 11:00: Head back to Prague.
- 12:00: Driving: The drive home. The worst. But more Queen, so, there's that.
So there you have it. Abertamy. The place where I discovered my inability to ski and my eternal love for Czech beer. Where the forest whispered secrets, and the fireplace held the promise of warmth and happiness. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. But next time, I'm bringing a ski instructor (and maybe a supply of extra socks). Na zdraví! (Cheers!)
Regen Terrace Paradise: Your Dream Apartment in Aldersbach Awaits!
Okay, so Bohemian Dream… sounds…dreamy. Is it REALLY luxury? Like, solid gold toilet seat luxury?
Alright, let's level set here. "Luxury" is a slippery slope. They've got the *trappings* of luxury, sure. Think: the heated floors (which, let me tell you, are a GODSEND after you've spent the day face-planting in the snow – more on that later). The fancy Nespresso machine (vital for surviving those pre-dawn ski runs, trust me). But is it *solid gold toilet seat* luxury? Nah. Not exactly. It's…aspirational luxury. Think IKEA meets… well, a *slightly* fancier IKEA. You're not going to mistake it for, say, The Ritz. But it does feel… special, especially after you've lugged all your gear up the icy driveway (more on THOSE adventures later too!).
The location – Abertamy. Where *is* that, exactly? And is the skiing any good? Be honest.
Abertamy… well, let's just say it's not the Alps, folks. It's in the Czech Republic, near the German border. Think… charming, not glamorous. Think… affordable, not necessarily epic. The skiing? It's… *there*. Okay? It's not like, 'drop-everything-and-fly-to-Abertamy-for-the-powder' good. It's more like, 'perfectly adequate for a weekend getaway with friends and a serious appreciation for hot chocolate after you've fallen over... again.' Let's put it this way: I'm not going to ditch my dream of skiing in the Swiss Alps anytime soon. BUT! The scenery is beautiful. The forests are coated in snow, which is gorgeous. And you won't be battling crowds like you would in… well, anywhere else in Europe, probably. So, pros and cons, people. Pros and cons.
What's the chalet *actually* like? What do you *really* remember?
Okay, buckle up, because this is where it gets *good*. The chalet itself is… well, it’s rustic-chic, I guess? Picture exposed wooden beams, a crackling fireplace (which, thank God, because it got COLD). *Really* cold. My lasting memory? The smell of pine and… well, occasionally, the lingering aroma of one of our friend's questionable cooking attempts. (Let's just say the kitchen wasn't always the cleanest. We may have had a minor baking soda incident. Don't ask.) The bedrooms were cozy, with enough space for everyone. The bathrooms… ah, the bathrooms. Clean, modern, hot water, heaven. And remember the heated floors I mentioned earlier? *Absolute* lifesaver. But oh! The *driveway*. The driveway was an adventure in itself. Steep, icy, and seemingly designed to test my driving skills (which, let’s be honest, aren’t exactly pro-level). We spent a solid hour one day just *trying* to get the car up it. Laughter? Yes. Frostbite? Almost. I'd recommend packing chains. And maybe a prayer.
Is it family-friendly? Because I have small children and questionable sanity.
Hmm. Family-friendly... Okay, yes, in theory. There's space, a fireplace for cozying up, and presumably enough room to wear the kids out with snowball fights. But. Here we go, the big BUT. Abertamy is not exactly Disneyland. There's not a ton of kid-specific entertainment readily available. You're going to have to bring your own fun. And maybe a mountain of snacks. As for my sanity…well, let's just say I went in with two weeks' worth of it and left with approximately a teaspoon. So, pack accordingly. Lots, and *lots*, of wine and chocolate? Just a thought...
The Food Scene: What's Good and What's… Less Good? Any Restaurant Recs?
Alright, the food situation. Abertamy is not exactly known for Michelin stars, okay? You get hearty, traditional Czech fare. Think dumplings, meat, and more meat. And beer, of course. Lots of beer. There's a small grocery store in town; we stocked up on local cheeses and the cheap delicious Czech beer (a lifesaver). We cooked most of our meals at the chalet, which was a good plan because finding a super fancy restaurant in Abertamy is like finding a unicorn. The local pub, "U Medvěda" (The Bear), is your best bet. Solid, unpretentious food, friendly locals, and enough beer to forget you're not in the Alps. Just don't expect anything too fancy. Expect a good time, though. That I *promise*.
Let's talk about après-ski. Is there anything to do besides drink beer and collapse?
Besides drinking beer and collapsing? Well, there's... more drinking beer. Seriously, après-ski in this area is not a wild party scene. It's more about:
- Cozying up by the fireplace. (Again, vital)
- Playing board games. (Prepare for fierce competition and inevitable arguments)
- Taking a sauna. (The chalet might have one. If it does, USE IT. I wish I used that sauna, that was one of my biggest regrets. I was too exhausted to even walk to the sauna, I am still angry with younger me.
- Trying to figure out the rules of a Czech card game. (Good luck, or prepare to lose badly.)
- Discussing the day's triumphs and tragedies on the slopes. (Mostly tragedies, let's be honest)
So, overall, would you recommend Bohemian Dream? Be honest!
Honestly? For what it is, yeah, I'd recommend it. It's not perfect. It's not the Four Seasons. But it’s got charm. And that’s a lot of it. It's a great base for a ski trip that's more about spending time with friends and family than chasing the perfect powder (though pray for snow, you will need it). It’s a place to disconnect. Forget about work. And maybe, just maybe, learn to enjoy falling down in the snow (because you *will* fall down). Just don’t expect too much. Go with low expectations, prepare yourself for some (potentially hilarious) challenges, and most of all, bring a sense of HUMOR. Trust me, you'll need it. And maybe bring some extra wine. Just in case.
