Every mum, both those who work and those who stay at home with their children, sometimes need breathing space. In every job sameness and daily challenges wear away at our inclination to be active. Although I love my family to death, I sometimes need to get away from hearing “muuuuuum” every 5 seconds, from thinking about dinner, or remembering about extra lessons and packed lunches for my child.
Like every woman I need some time for myself, but not just quick breaks between everyday chores. I need time just for me. After years of planning at last I have done it. Reservation confirmed, suitcase packed, my friend on the way. I’m leaving for the weekend!
Before me are two days of doing nothing. My only business will be rest. I’m afraid only for my tongue because I’m going with my friend with whom I always have something to talk about. It will be peace and quiet, good food, rambling and maybe treatment in a health spa. In one word: “idyll”, both literally and figuratively, because we have chosen “Hotel Sielanka nad Pilicą” (in Polish the name of the hotel means “Idyll on the Pilica river”).
It looks like it was a shrewd choice. The hotel is located near Warsaw, so the journey doesn’t tire us out but manages to whet our appetite for what is to come. The environs of Warsaw offer quiet, calm and idyllic views, due to the green wall of Stromecka Forest on one side, and the picturesque Pilica River Valley on the other.
We acquainted ourselves with the hotel’s surroundings during a long, easy-going ramble, embellished with tittle-tattle. For our purposes the most suitable package was “spa for friends”. It included room and board, 4 selected treatments in the spa and unrestricted access to the water part of the spa with swimming pool and gym. The Food was excellent and it wasn’t a 1,000-calorie diet. For the first dinner we were served a welcome alcoholic drink. Not too strong – just right to relax. It was a little something that improved our mood.
Between meals our planned “doing nothing” was broken by turning pages in books and raising alternately a cup of tea and a glass of wine. The room was small but clean and snug with only one drawback. It turned out that some parts of the body are difficult to clean when you can’t take the shower head into your hand and water falls down directly from above. In accordance with our expectations, treatments in the spa were relaxing and the staff were very nice, outgoing and smiley. Two days passed like lightning.
I visited Hotel Sielanka once again a few weeks later with my whole family. It offers a very interesting package for families with children. It isn’t just made to look inviting on the website. They really do prepare to receive big groups of small guests. The Restaurant’s menu contains plenty of dishes for children, and it’s not just chips and fish sticks. You can order a small bed, changing table, bottle warmer, or humidifier for your room.
During the family visit my children didn’t know what to do at first. They were nervously choosing between water spa attractions, a stable where they could take riding lessons and an artistic program for children. The Organisers offered a trip by horse-drawn carriage to Stromecka Forest which ended with a bonfire, all-day-long themed activities with an entertainment rep and baking cookies with the hotel Chef. For a birthday present my daughter got a spa package for children. A body massage combined with foot and hand massage with her chosen oil caused gales of laughter, but she was proud of her painted nails.
Both trips were very successful. When I ask my little son where he would like to go, he doesn’t mention exotic destinations. He always wants to go to Sielanka Hotel. There was a Jacuzzi, horses, a big hall for children and a great time spent together.
I recommend it wholeheartedly!