Klosterhof sits in Bayerisch Gmain, a small village near Bad Reichenhall in the Berchtesgadener Land district, close to the Austrian border. The hotel is surrounded by mountains and mixed forest, and the Kirchholz woods start just outside the property. That makes it easy to get into the trees without needing a car or a long transfer, which is the whole point of a forest bathing break.

Forest bathing is a practice that started in Japan. In plain terms, you walk slowly through the woods, pay attention to what you see, hear and smell, and leave the phone behind. The hotel's take on it centres on the Herzstein, a stone in the Kirchholz forest that is said to carry strong energy. On the guided walk, Dr. Andreas Färber leads the group there and uses the time to talk about health and how it fits into daily life. If you'd like to go back on your own later in the stay, reception will give you directions.

What sets this apart from a standard spa weekend is the medical side. Klosterhof combines a 4-star superior wellness hotel with Artemacur, a health centre run by Dr. Färber. The package includes a personal health talk and consultation with him, so you can ask about stress, sleep, fitness or anything else that's on your mind. You aren't just getting a massage and a pool.

A typical day starts with the gourmet breakfast, then a class from the active programme. That could be yoga, Pilates, a guided hike, Nordic walking or a fitness course. Lunch is a healthy bowl buffet. Afternoons are open for the spa, the gym, another walk or a nap. Dinner is the GenussArt menu, where you pick your dishes each evening.

The spa treatment included is an "anti-stress" aromatic oil treatment with a relaxing head and neck massage, lasting 50 minutes. You also have full access to the 1,500 m² Artemacur Spa for the whole stay. If you prefer to train, the fitness room has certified Precor machines and Peloton bikes.

The phone handover is optional, but it's worth considering. You leave your mobile with the reception team and pick it up when you're ready. Three nights without notifications, combined with time in the forest and decent sleep, is a simple and effective reset.

What's included

- 3 nights in your chosen room category - Gourmet breakfast à la Klosterhof - Healthy lunch bowl buffet - Daily GenussArt dinner menu with your choice of dishes - Access to the 1,500 m² Artemacur Spa - Active programme: fitness courses, hikes and Nordic walking - Yoga, meditation, Pilates and other classes - Gym access with Precor equipment and Peloton bikes - Guided forest walk to the Herzstein - Health talk and consultation with Dr. med. Andreas Färber - Optional phone handover at reception - 50-minute anti-stress aromatic oil treatment with head and neck massage - Free parking

What's not included

- Travel to and from Bayerisch Gmain - Room upgrades above the Nature Room rate - Single room supplement - Additional spa treatments beyond the included massage - Drinks not included with meals - Travel insurance - Local tourist tax, if applicable - Personal expenses