Take a trip to a Czech castle

Labour of love

Chateau Mcely, located in the St George forest, just one hour\'s drive from Prague airport, is the former rural mansion of the Thurn-Taxis aristocracy. Its restoration to a five-star hotel has been a true labour of love on the part of its husband and wife owners. Inez Cusumano bought the ruined castle not knowing what it would become, but was moved by a gut instinct that the building needed to be restored to its former glory.

World\'s greenest hotel

As winner of the Leading Green Hotel of the World award this year, you would expect the chateau to be sensitive to the seasons. They also generate their own heat from waste wood chips, use a waste water treatment system, run electricity from renewable sources, recycle all waste, use green suppliers and locally source produce and services wherever possible. And all employees have been professionally trained to work to green principles.

Room with a view

There are 24 rooms and suites spread over two grand floors, each light-filled with forest views, equipped with plasma TV, DVD player and broadband. And every night there\'s a treat on my pillow, together with a short story from the chateau\'s history - from tales of racy aristocratic parties to the story of gingerbread. In the bathroom there\'s a decanter of bath oil, specially prepared by chateau therapists to an ancient formula using local herbs and flowers.

Dining al fresco

The weather is glorious so we have lunch on the terrace, surrounded by the beautiful golden brown landscape of autumn trees. (I woke up that morning to the sound of a tractor coming up the drive - pulling the barbecue for our lunch behind it!). Thoughtful touches like the blankets on the backs of our chairs should we feel cold, are an example of the attention to detail the hotel excels at.

View from above

Owner Jim Cusumano is a scientist and his passion stretches right through the building - from the alchemist\'s bar in the basement to the quirky astronomical laboratory on the rooftop. Here you can view heavenly bodies through a computerised telescope or just admire the glorious sunset with your eyes!

Elixir of life

Meanwhile, below ground in the Alchymist Club, we admire the hand-carved symbols of magic and science on the walls as we sip our mysterious elixirs. Developed by Dr Jim to an original secret recipe, these are cocktails to bestow the gifts of wealth, power, long life and sweet dreams. ‘And what about health?\' we ask. So somebody makes us a health version too!

Spa treat

The spa is small but perfectly formed, offering a range of massage treatments using a blend of exotic oils and local herbs. There\'s a contemporary Finnish infrared sauna and, on the terrace outside, a Jacuzzi where you can relax in nature. For relaxing with your clothes on, try the hammock in the garden behind the hotel - even in this colder weather it\'s still a treat.

Reading retreat

Tucked away on the top floor of the tower, the library is a peaceful retreat with more than 2,000 volumes covering everything from poetry to physics. There are lots of scientific looking instruments here too, some dating back to the 17th century.

What to do?

Its country location makes it a great spot for long healthy walks, the hotel can organise a local historian to take you on a guided tour of the area. There are bikes available to guests if you want to travel a bit further into the forest, they will also sort out horseback riding, golf or hunting for you.

Visit Chateau Mcely

Situated in St George Forest in Central Bohemia, the chateau is 34 miles from Prague\'s old town and 44 miles from the airport. The nearest town is Nymburk, seven miles away.

For more information and to book:

Phone +420 325 600 000

www.chateaumcely.com

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