First, the lay of the land: Gut Damp lies in Germany’s far north, about an hour’s drive from the Danish border. The nearest town is Eckernförde, population about 22,000, whose main attraction is its quaint little harbor. Nearby, on the Baltic coast, is the village of Damp, and just five minutes inland stands the grand historic estate of Gut Damp, with several houses, former stables and, most recently, a vacation home for guests.
As we drive through the gate onto the estate, we are greeted by the very friendly count and his hunting dog. First impressions count, and we are impressed: this is no small operation. Gut Damp is one of those village-sized aristocratic estates, with a manor house dating to 1597 at the end of the drive.
To the left of the entrance, Alexander zu Reventlow proudly shows us into the new vacation home. He had the old barn rebuilt faithfully, reusing every material that could be salvaged. Inside are 14 cleverly laid-out vacation lofts. Those on the ground floor have their own east-facing terraces; open the sliding doors on a sunny day, and you have a dreamy summer retreat. We also like the lofts upstairs. Above all, they are very spacious, nothing like a hotel room. The highlight: oversized windows throughout, so expect plenty of light and sun.
The furnishings and kitchen equipment are of high quality, the decor colorful and easy on the eye. The owner’s brother chose the art: original paintings from the family collection. You can find full details on the lofts here.
Culinary
If you don’t feel like cooking, stroll over to the estate’s own restaurant, the Kuhhaus, which is open five days a week. It is independently run, and many locals come here for dinner, too, which is a big part of its charm. You feel at home right away. The centuries-old floor deserves a special mention. The mood is very relaxed (think of a big pub outside Dublin), and the menu is regional: North Sea shrimp on bread to start, rump steak from northern German heifers or venison from the estate’s own hunt with potato and beet mash. Everything is delicious and highly recommended.
Surroundings
Gut Damp is, of course, close to the Baltic beaches. There are a few resorts, but also wild, unspoiled stretches of coast. Children love Damp’s Entdeckerbad, an indoor water park with slides overlooking the Baltic. Don’t be alarmed by the huge rehabilitation clinic on the beach; it is far from pretty.
Ideal for
Couples and especially families looking for a comfortable vacation home on the Baltic Sea.
Special
For larger families or groups, Count zu Reventlow also rents out another family property just below the loft house: Gut Dorotheental, an absolute dream house with colorful furniture, five bedrooms, a large garden and a pool table. We visited it, too, and highly recommend it. You can find the details here.
Prices
Lofts from 139 euros per night; Gut Dorotheental from 650 euros per night.
Booking & Contact
Gut Damp
24351 Damp
Schleswig-Holstein
Germany
