Arriving at Schloss Elmau, cradled in the Bavarian Alps, I felt tension melt away. This five-star retreat, set between Zugspitze and Karwendel mountains, is a sanctuary of luxury and serenity. Its alpine valley, 100 km south of Munich, hums with tranquility, promising a wellness escape like no other.

Schloss Elmau, a Leading Hotels of the World member, blends two properties: the Hideaway and the Retreat, built in 2015 and host to G7 Summits. My suite in the Retreat, with its 80-square-meter expanse and Wetterstein mountain views, felt like a private oasis. Contemporary European furnishings, plush linens, and a balcony overlooking Ferchenbach creek added to the charm.

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