Schloss Elmau review: unbridled luxury that stands out from the crowd

With its many nods to the East, this is not your usual kitsch Bavarian spa retreat

The Retreat, which opened in 2015, is the more modern of the hotel’s two buildings
The Retreat, which opened in 2015, is the more modern of the hotel’s two buildings
(Image credit: Schloss Elmau)

It’s the elephants that provide the first clue. The symbol of Schloss Elmau, a luxury five-star hotel nestled in a storybook valley, isn’t a kitsch nod to tradition you might expect of a Bavarian spa retreat. Instead, it’s an Indian elephant that’s woven into the fabric of bedroom headboards, blinds, restaurant tapestries, soft furnishings and pillows for sale at reception.

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