Certainly in the Reception space the double storey height of the grand entrance hall, with its massive timbers and minstrels gallery, adds a sense of theatre to arrival at the hotel. The car parking has been placed under the front terrace, not just making the cars invisible as one approaches the hotel, but of practical significance given the snowfall here in winter – valet parking not only whisks your car away, but ensures that it is returned with the windscreen cleaned, ready for your journey on.

The Hanseatic ports on the Baltic coast were part of the Swedish sphere of influence until the middle of the nineteenth century. Lubeck (home of marzipan) is well known. The towns of eastern Germany hidden for so long behind the ‘Iron Curtain’ retain much unspoilt charm. Their history and culture are attractive as an alternative to sun worshipping on a contaminated beach amongst uncouth youth. Towns such as Wismar are within reach of the Schloss Fleesensee, but it is the natural world they are set in that is the main attraction.