Holidays on Sylt: Reise-Profi recommends 4 luxury hotels that are worth their money

Do you know that? That feeling when you just want to pack your suitcase to take a little break. Preferably on an island far away from the mainland and everyday worries. Well, luckily, you don’t even have to take a long flight to get there. You can also find happiness on the island in Germany.

My second adopted home is the Mediterranean Mallorca, but in the last two years I have grown very fond of the rough charm of the islanders on Sylt. Admittedly, the fresh breeze takes on icy puffs in the autumn and winter months. At the same time, it becomes even more cozy in the rustic hotels and especially the spa areas on the island.

For me, Sylt means thatched roofs, a fisherman’s past steeped in adventure and, of course, East Frisian tea with Kluntjes in the afternoon. I like that the island accommodations reflect on what defines them: North German tradition and the reputation of the sea. The high density of hotels on the north German island makes the selection difficult. A total of seven houses are in the ranking “The 101 best hotels in Germany“listed, on whose committee I sit.

I will introduce you to my favorites from each category – the best culinary hotels, the best hideaways, the best spa health resorts and the best hotels within historic walls. I am sure you will find your island favorite in exactly these categories. By the way, there are affordable offers, especially in winter.

1. The best hide away on Sylt: Severin’s Resort & Spa

Actually, the entire island is like a single hide away, so a beautiful, quiet haven to relax. If you want to experience a compressed increase in the island flair, then treat yourself to a few nights in my absolute favorite hotel: the Severins.

The thatched roof house is located in the middle east of the island, just a stone’s throw from the sea. Christian Siegling, the resort’s general manager, leads his team in a very familiar way. As a guest, I have the feeling that I am staying in a privately operated accommodation, and Severin’s is part of the Atlantic Hotel Group. I am already very curious whether this own brand positioning can also be continued at Tegernsee. The southern branch is being built here.

Until then, I’ll be enjoying the in-house service, preferably in the spa. With its 2000 square meters, it is so spacious that, if I had the time, I would love to spend the entire winter here. Based on the Sylt power compass, my individual treatment orientation is determined in advance. I have the choice between “clarifying, refining”, the beauty power package from the Sylt dune landscape, an invigorating, balancing effect from the Sylt heather landscape, a stimulating, strengthening treatment with a focus on the solar power of the Sylt beach landscape and a detoxifying treatment from the Sylt water landscape .

I can warmly recommend the beach and heathland landscapes. The spa and fitness area is currently only available to hotel guests. So when you check into the hotel, you can be sure of a timely appointment at the spa without long waiting times.

Tips for booking:
A Christmas special from December 25th to 28th is available from 1100 euros. You can book a room from 360 euros. An affordable alternative is the Strandhotel Wyn. Here you can reserve rooms from 200 euros per night.

2. The best culinary hotel on Sylt: Sölring Hof

You have to see, feel and taste a place. Finally, fresh sea air stimulates the appetite. So that you can let a Sylt winter day on the Wadden Sea melt on your tongue, go to the Söl’ring Hof and taste the finesse of Jan-Philipp Berner. A salty razor clam with fruity tangerine will enchant you just as much as the arctic char, tossed in tart nut butter. The award-winning star cuisine is unique.

The influences of the patron Johannes King still have an effect today, even if he retired from active service at the stove in the Rantum restaurant. The idea the kitchen is as simple as it is refined: only regional products and, above all, herbs from the island are processed. You can truly enjoy the taste of the north with every bite.

The Sölring Hof is somewhat hidden in the shade behind the Rantumer dune at the narrowest point on the island. It belongs to the Hommage Hotel Group, which Jörg T. Böckeler runs the best hotels in Germany with great attention to detail. One room is guaranteed to have a view of the lake, the Wadden Sea or the dunes. When you dress warmly, you can watch the stars from your own beach chair. With a good glass of wine, of course.

Tips for booking:
Last-minute room offers currently benefit from last-minute room offers, a dune room from December 17th to 21st costs around 595 euros per night. Alternatively: The Landhaus Stricker enjoys an equally high culinary reputation and costs from 250 euros per night.

3. The best spa health resort on the island: Budersand Hotel Golf & Spa

Playing golf on Sylt? Admittedly, it is a challenge, albeit an exciting one. The Budersand Hotel’s golf course has been active since summer 2008. The golf area has now won several awards, and golfers love the challenging 18-hole course in links-course design. He is probably Germany’s best.

Originally, the resort area at the southern end of the island in Hörnum was a barracks area that belonged to a sea air base from the Second World War. In the early 1990s, the 73 hectare area lay fallow. In 2004, the owner Claudia Ebert converted the site into a golf course, renatured the area and finally designed today’s, architecturally very modern Budersand.

Even the most passionate golfer can withdraw to the spa on cold winter days. With the motto “Feel the sea, enjoy the sea and relax in the sea”, I leave everyday life behind in the spa area of ​​the Budersand Hotel. My favorite is a long sauna followed by relaxation in the relaxation room. Direct view of the North Sea included. The “Island Time” package with a steam bath and a 50-minute relaxation massage invigorates your senses and lets you switch off.

Tips for booking: Budersand also offers various booking options. If you haven’t planned New Year’s Eve yet – how about a New Year in the dunes in Budersand? From 1140 euros you get five nights, including a New Year’s Eve party and a guided hike. You can find a cheaper spa alternative at A-Rosa Sylt further north on the island. Book a room here from 200 euros.

4. The best hotel within historic walls: Hotel Stadt Hamburg

The hotel is called “Hamburg”, but is also located on Sylt, more precisely on Westerland. The house was founded in 1869 as one of the first hotels in the center of Westerland and has been run as a family business for three generations. The house has been part of the portfolio of the 12.18 group of companies since 2018.

The charm of the Friesenhaus has been preserved to this day. The Hanseatic City of Hamburg shapes the appearance of the house, even if the property has grown significantly in the meantime. Stylish, partly antiquarian furniture and tasteful decoration make the house look very familiar. In addition to the warm service, the fireplace in the lobby provides additional warmth.

In the bistro “Stadt Hamburg” you will experience a colorful freshness – the furnishings are very modern for a traditional house. I enjoy a second breakfast here after a long walk on the beach. Warm meals are served in the bistro from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Gault Millau guide has already called the bistro an excellent recommendation. Will further awards follow? I guess so.

Tips for booking: You can secure the winter bargain deluxe package at a price of 575 euros until December 19. You can currently get two nights over Christmas for 738 euros. You can find a cheaper alternative in Westerland at Hotel Dünenburg for around 138 euros per night.