Bio-Hotel Zur Mühle

I can't say good enough things about this place. Lovely location, looks straight out of a movie. Super comfortable room and bed, with the cutest balcony. You open the window and hear the water in the stream. The sauna was great. The dinner and breakfast are a 7-minute walk away which is overall lovely (it was a little annoying at night in the dark because I wasn't sure of the way and ended up walking on the road, but you can actually go near the river and it's a much nicer walk). Reception staff were so so nice and helpful, restaurant staff as well. My only complaint is that I should have stayed longer!! I've seen this mentioned but I'll reiterate - breakfast is amazing. So many choices for tea, nutriblenders to make smoothies, oat and almond milk, I was super impressed. I wish there were some croissants but that's a personal preference - there were tons of other bread and cake choices. I loved the 4-course dinner as well. I plan to go back as soon as I can!

Breakfast was super. beyond fabulous. Location is in a fantastic region.

We had trouble finding the reception. I had trouble understanding the forms the hotel, itself , sent me.

Location.

Overpriced in terms of facilities provided.

This Hotel is situated in a restored historical Water mill and has only 9 rooms. The mill still works and bread from it is served at breakfast and dinner. You have to walk to the restaurant for breakfast and dinner around 10 minutes from the Mill, but that doesn't really bother, because the views of Elbe river along the way are stunning. Our room was not big, but had a balcony and with open windows you could hear the Stream running right underneath your building. That was very cute and calming. There's also no elevator, if that might be important to you. The system of Bio-hotels consist of several hotels, so the reception is in a separate building and so is some part of SPA. Sauna and open air jacuzzi along with water vats to relax in are in the Mills' yard, which is very convenient. Local brewery is also next door. Dinner consists of 4 courses every day, made in their 'bio'- concept. The cost of staying was rather high, but the hotel had a few really nice surprise bonuses, like local transport tickets and free Gluwein cards. There are also 'rituals' including bakery excursion and spa time that are free of charge for guests. Those can be found during check-in. I liked the 'bio' concept of the hotels and Schmilka village itself - it's a very cosy place on the bank of the river with nice trekking opportunities. You could also go the the Czech side of the Saxon Switzerland by bus, train (if the ferries are working) or by foot (around 45 min walk to closest Czech village). We were staying there around Christmas time, but the weather was not snowy, so I can't say anything about Winter Wonderland. Like in many places in Germany that time, Elbe was out of its' banks, so most of the ferries didn't work.

Unfortunately, we didn't get the Mill and bakery excursion on our last day - we checked in, but no one came to the meeting point. If you want to visit the famous Bastai bridge, that might be tricky. It's about an hour by public transport. Plus, the weather conditions might be bad - for example, we couldn't get to the right side of the river from the train station because of high water and non-functional ferries.

It is a lovely hotel in an idyllic location, surrounded by beautiful nature. The house is walking distance to the Elbe river. It features the wellness area with sauna and the bier garden right next to the house. Our booking included breakfast which was very nice as well. It was in another location with the terrace outlooking the river. There was no Wi-Fi in the room, which is intentional, but you can catch free Wi-Fi in the restaurant and beer garden , if needed. It was a very relaxing stay and we loved it! Thank you!

The only thing that was maybe not necessary was the tv in the room. It is a bio hotel. No Wi-Fi in the room, which is good. Then the tv is also not needed.

Schmilka is a small gem, breakfast in the Helvetia hotel is superb. The room was clean and the bed comfortable. Super hiking routes stary almost at the doorstep and Schmilka has super coffee places, bars. Dinner and breakfast is recommended - they both were fabulous in Helvetia.

If you have heavy luggage, it is not convenient, as the hotel has no elevators, but a great stairway to climb. Some balconies are not what you see in the pictures in the front of the hotel, they look to the sides and are not as “inviting”. The shutters in the bathroom were a bit see through, which was not so comforting, although in the dark you only see shades through.