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| Tallinn,
Estonia |
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Extraordinary
November - 2005 |
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5 Stars
& 5 Stripes
Hotel & Service |
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The Ultimate
Award:
Seven Stars and Stripes™ |
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| High above us shined the waning sliver of a crescent
moon, its dying light filtering through the sky barely lighting our path to our
destination on this clandestine night. The palms of our hands sweat in the
chilly air as we exited the BMW 750il limo all the while pulling our bright red
classic Rimowa suitcases toward the boarder crossing between Russia and
Estonia. This was supposed to be an elegant nonchalant routine crossing to the
other side where a limo from the Schlössle Hotel was patiently waiting to
escort us swiftly to Tallinn and the warmth and ambiance of their 'Boutique'
environs in the heart of the old town. Arno and I seemed as if out of another
planet as we dragged our suitcases over the dark bridge connecting the two
countries in a scene reminiscent of bygone era. Although language and customs
prevented us from understanding this bureaucratic charade, hand gestures and
smiles cautiously led us through this 'Checkpoint Charlie'-like maze to our
waiting driver. |
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| GM Peter Knoll
& Thorsten Buehrmann |
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| We arrived at the Schlössle Hotel in 'Old
Tallinn' after a pleasant two-hour ride. Old Tallinn is a unique historic
district that reminded me a little of Amsterdam with its colorful, devotedly
restored merchant houses. Meandering cobblestone streets conveyed the feeling
of 'Once upon a Time'… On the festively decorated market square was the
Christmas bazaar already in full swing surrounded by charming light filled,
well-decorated shop windows. Here is located the intimate fairytale
Schlössle Hotel, first mentioned in 1636 as a wealthy townhouse just steps
from the historic town hall square and a palace dating back to Danish King
Waldemar II and the Czars. |
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| As we entered, the great hall
reflected the medieval architecture and interior design of this exquisitely
restored small hotel building. We were in awe to be in the face of such
historic magnificence, as the hallmark of the Schlossle Hotel is its 'ambiance
and personal service'. By the way 'Schlössle' is German and means 'Little
Castle'. Our check-inn was like a homecoming and we were asked to have a seat
at the cozy, massive fireplace while being were offered a glass of champagne.
Like its sister hotel - The Grand Palace Hotel of Riga, Latvia - the obligatory
computer tool is smartly hidden in a drawer of the antique secretary.
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| “…if these walls could talk…” ~ TB |
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| We experienced a small world of luxury and grace
within these historic hotel walls and in our accommodations all the while
allowing us to step back in time. We were quite impressed with its ageless
elegance and outstanding service. Beautifully restored, the suites lavish all
essentials, including the heated stone floor and the elegant furnishings very
well appointed; we were reliving the relics of a foregone age. As I leaned out
of the enchanted 'Rapuzel' window I could almost hear the music of the
Christmas market. Was that 'Silent Night, Holy Night… ?' |
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| Award Hand Out
at the Schlössle Hotel Tallinn |
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| After a busy day I got to take a bath and relax with
these modern conveniences, always having the feeling that I was at home. The
Molton Brown bath amenity line in my opinion fits perfectly, since only
exceptional plant and marine elements are used. Later on before dinner I got a
chance to connect with my wife on Skype (an Estonian innovation, by the way)
through the hotel's strong WiFi connection. It was then that I told her I had
seen Rapunzel and that I missed her ;) |
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“Winter in Estonia is breathtakingly beautiful with a clean coat
of snow offsetting the early northern darkness.
Here in Tallinn the streets
looked like in a book about Christmas with the precious
old-fashioned
street lights and street caroling.” ~ TB |
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by
Thorsten Buehrmann & Arno Goudschaal
Editor: Ingrid
Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola |
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| © 2005 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc. |
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