Now that this tenth anniversary getaway is coming rapidly to an end, it is time to give an update on the hotel and a special mention for a restaurant. We have only been away for a total of two nights, but it has seemed a bit longer than that, because we have been so relaxed just walking, talking and enjoying the amenities of the hotel.
Mövenpick Hotel, Tallinn
Friends recommended the hotel to us, as they have stayed previously and enjoyed it. As far as Tallinn goes, it is a bit more expensive than others, but it has been really nice, clean, quiet, and the service has been great. Even when I left my shorts at the pool and realised the next morning, I informed the reception and they looked for them. They could have just waited for me to ask again at reception when we returned to the hotel, but instead they gave a call to me and let me know they have put them aside.
I liked the wooden room cards.
And the room was good, with everything working well, and well appointed. we had a balcony that we didn't use, but if we had been here a bit longer, I think we would have enjoyed a glass of wine out there in the night air.
The colours are stylish, the bathroom very nice with decent hanging space and a drying rack for towels and for swimming gear, which we needed, as we swam on three different occasions in the short time we were here, as the swimming area was nice with a small pool, steam room, cold dip pool, hot Japanese bath and a traditional sauna. The only "issue" was the sauna had a button to add water to the stove to create the steam, but it wasn't possible to add enough water to get a good amount of steam. It was a little too dry for me and my wife (and probably most Finns), but it was a minor thing.
The other thing that was nice about this hotel which might have been due to price, was that there weren't many kids staying. It was a mix of different age adults, with only a couple children seen at all. This meant that breakfasts were calm and relaxed also.
And the breakfasts were really good. Some of the hotels are more like being fed at a trough for cattle, but this was again, well-appointed and there was plenty of staff to clear plates and take orders for omelettes and eggs.
Speaking of food...
Härg
There were no recommendations involved here, but I was told by my wife to find a place with a good steak, and after a little searching, I found Restaurant Härg, which happened to be only a few hundred meters from the hotel. I didn't know much about it, but it is Michelin guide recommended, even though it doesn't have a Michelin star.
I like a good steak, but I have been super disappointed in the last few years with restaurants in general to the point where I told my wife I don't want to go out to eat anymore. The food has been disappointing, the service worse, and the price has increased rapidly. This time...
The steak was brilliant.
One of the best I have ever had. We both ordered the same (hers was medium, mine medium-rare), she had fries and I had grilled romaine lettuce as a side. And it was divine. A verry, very good steak and later the waiter (who was really nice and had a voice like Gru from Minions), told us it was rated the best steak in Estonia. I believe it. The owner of the restaurant has also been the head chef for the President of Estonia for the last ten years.
And to top it off...
As chance would have it, Härg also has a list of forty gins to choose from, with a selection of mixers and a handy chart to say what goes well with what. However, I went with a gin cocktail from their selection called "Love" which was made with a rose tonic and was sprinkled with finely chopped rose petals.
Even with the shaky image of the gin (I guess I was so excited to drink it), I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone visiting Tallinn in the future. It was really good food, with a relaxed atmosphere and service, but still had a feeling of fine dining. Other patrons seemed equally relaxed and apparently enjoyed the food as much as us.
Now, all there is left to do is check-out of the hotel and head back to the boat to Finland.
Taraz
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