Today I begin my yearly series of posts educating you on the top 5 hotels for adventure wedding seekers.  Since we have an established Iceland post-wedding followers too who still look to us for travel advice, this year’s list is going to push your boundaries a little and introduce you into some badass off-beat locations that you may never have considered until you found my fabulous blog.  So I invite you to explore and delight in them with me as I share with you my amazing experience at each of these Nordic locales over the next several weeks.

First up on out 2015 Best Nordic Hotels List…. The Vihula Manor in Estonia.  Estonia…. Let’s be honest friends, do you even know where this amazing country is, do you?  PICTURE THIS… Slightly south of Scandinavia, it’s formally considered part of Europe in the area called the Baltic States.  Which means… YES it’s on the romantic Baltic Sea!  My fabulous North American clients, I urge you to consider this country for an adventure wedding for the many many reasons I am going to call out today partly because of this starry-eyed manor hotel I’m sharing with you today!

Where does time stop and the historical 16th Century meet 21st Century luxury?  The Vihula Manor Country Club & Spa.  The Vihula Manor, is a special place where decadence and nature mingle to create a feeling like “home” you’ve never ever experienced.  From the instant I arrived and drove down the tree covered driveway, I was overwhelmed with a sense of serenity.  My brain shut off and I was able to just “be in the moment.”  First. Time. Ever.

As soon as I checked in, the staff was genuinely warm and exuded serious accommodating vibes.  I had not realized how big this enchanting estate was until I was walked through the map letting me know about the endless list of amenities, services, and activities that were all around me!  I’ll tell you a little secret too… after being there an hour, I actually found no reason to leave this place for 2 days!  I had the pleasure of staying in one of their suites that was inside their old Vodka Distillery.  Um, yeah, a vodka distillery.  Talk about an exciting novelty!  How fun for your Estonia Destination Wedding guests to say too?  Another perk… The sound of the river and old water mill soothed me to sleep every night too, it was glorious and one of the best night’s sleep I’ve had to this day in a hotel!

So now you ask… What kept me busy for 2 days at this famed place?

• Their charming 25+ historical buildings
• The Mustoja River runs through this magical place!
• Lahemaa National Park
• The 15-meter Indoor Swimming Pool, Steam-bath, & Gym
• 18 holes of Mini Golf!
• The onsite Vodka Museum
• The Carriage House Historical Car Museum
• The giant Windmill out front!
• The Kids Playground (Ahem, we’re all big kids, right?!)
• The Vihula Manor Sports Complex (Tennis, Football, etc in Summer and in Winter delight in ice skating and of course hockey!)
• Walking around the property and just being “in the moment” for like the first time ever in my life, seriously!
• Their traditional Estonian restaurant: Kaval-Ants Tavern
• 5 Star Dining at La Boheme Restaurant
• Breakfast on the Sun Terrace
• Hoping between the bridges on the lily pad pond.
• Eco-Farm
• A nearby beautiful seaside church.
• The Baltic Sea (less than 4km away!)
• Downtown Tallinn is merely an hour away too!

The Vihula Manor Country Club & Spa  is ideally designed for hosting a destination wedding in Estonia too!  Do you know why?  Allow me to enlighten you!

• 75 luxurious guest rooms and suites (charming historical vibe)
• Breakfast is included (and it’s AWESOME).
• All rooms are equipped with all North American conveniences we need such as the following: Wifi, TV, Telephone (you’d be surprised how rare this is becoming), Coffee/Tea in room, Mini Bar, Toiletries, and a Hair dryer.
• Their ZEN Suites have some additional upgraded amenities such as the following: Robes, Slippers, MP3 inputs, and Jacuzzi Tub!
• The Eco-Spa: Offers endless treatment options, a Hot Tub, Wood-burning Sauna, and exclusively uses ESPA products.
• Sweeping balcony’s lead you throughout the airy main manor house.
• Various options for ceremony locations onsite and nearby that will allow you to feel immersed into nature.
• A Wedding Gazebo (in Estonia, they call these Kissing Tower/Column)!
• Access to their vintage cars!  Can someone say Estonia Wedding Photography opportunity?! Yes, please!
• Endless reception space options! Just to briefly name a few…
  • Main Manor House can easily accommodate a group size of 100 guests (and is available if renting the entire hotel).
  • The Lawn Terrace right in front of the main house, would prove to the THE. PERFECT. ESTONIA. WEDDING reception space in summertime.
  • Dedicated conference halls are available as well such as the following: Constance Conference & Concert Hall for up to 120 guests; Ursula Conference Hall for up to 100 guests; and the Dora Conference Hall for an intimate 50 guests.  You could even rent the entire Barn House building and hold an exclusive even for your 2509 guests.
  • There are several other charming throughout the property that you could hold your Estonia wedding reception such as the following: Palm House Banquet Hall for 80 guests; the Oil Granary Seminar Room for 24 guests; their stunning Tea House for 10 guests; and their Presidential Suite for a cozy 8 guests.
  • A few novelty locations are available if you’re looking to really entice your guests with history… The Blacksmith’s House, the Vodka Distillery, and the Water Mill.
• The Food!  If you’re looking to serve your guest an unforgettable traditional Estonian cuisine Kaval-Ants Tavern can accommodate.  But if you’d rather dine on a 3-5 course 5 star meal, I would of course suggest the breathtaking La Boheme Restaurant to cater.
• The ease of getting all of your special requests… Did someone say FIREWORKS?  This is a private estate that will ensure all of your will’s and whim’s are met with excitement and a smile!

This is a very special place, folks!  I would even dare to say, magical!  So all that being said, Estonia needs to be put on your travel radar right now!  …and Your Adventure Wedding would absolutely love to help you plan and photograph your unforgettable Estonian wedding adventure here!  Feel free to contact us to make that happen!

With a smile, Ann Peters (Adventure Wedding Planner & Photographer)

• Vihula Manor Estonia Contact Information:
• Address: Vihula, Lääne-Virumaa; 45402 Estonia
• Phone: +372 326 4100
• Website: http://www.vihulamanor.com/
• GPS Coordinates: 26°10´58´´ /  59°32´48´´

Stay tuned next week as our Top 5 Adventure Wedding Hotel List 2015 continues!

© 2015, Iceland Wedding Planner /  Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved

The post Top 5 Adventure Wedding Hotel List 2015: Vihula Manor Country Club & Spa (Estonia Wedding Locations) appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.

It’s that time a year again… Where we share our picks on the “Top Iceland Wedding Hotels” and this year we have some really brilliant ones!  So please stay tuned over the next several weeks to learn who made it this year!  In the meantime, when thinking about my favorite hotels in downtown Reykjavik one specifically comes to mind that seriously makes me swoon: Hotel Borg.

I’ll step away for a moment and allow Beth to fill you in our experience!

–Ann Peters (Iceland Wedding Photographer & Planner)

Hard to sum up very many places with one word, but Hotel Borg does just that; FABULOUS!

Like stepping into vintage Hollywood with a modern flair, Borg has left no amenity behind while designing a boutique hotel around comfort and relaxation, even though its fully equipped for any business travel or lavish event. An easy 45 minute drive from the KEF Airport, Hotel Borg would be an exquisite location for your Iceland destination wedding group. With 56 stunning art deco rooms to fit every need, and an addition of 43 more in 2015 it’s idyllic for any group size. Golden Hall is a gorgeous reception space and is truly dreamy with its stunning use of lighting, elegant framed mirrors, and architectural touches that can accommodate 50-75 people for your unforgettable Iceland wedding reception!

Set perfectly in what you could call the “town square” of downtown Reykjavik, Borg is centrally located to tourist attractions, dining, shopping, and varied nightlife! Especially with Reykjavik’s convenient positioning between local culture and the nearby options of multiple whale watching and sea excursions, the Golden Circle, and the majority of southern Iceland’s most beautiful attractions are all within about a two hour drive. So Hotel Borg ‘s supreme location provides the ability to fit so much adventure into any length of stay!

With beautiful views of the city, harbor, and “Midnight Sun-sets” the hotel offers many different styles of amenities. As soon as you walk in, the lobby is warm and inviting, with lovely décor and lighting, and refreshingly friendly front desk staff that is available around the clock to help with every request. Hotel Borg is so helpful with assistance in the booking of any adventure big or small, and is a local excursion transfer spot for most activities that makes any outing super convenient.

The lovely room’s at Borg emit luxury with posh linens, spa style bath products, and functionally designed layouts that allow for the transition from work to play with the ultimate of ease for any traveler. Modern baths with heated marble floors, towel warmers, and deep soaking tubs that will pamper any bride, groom, or newlyweds! The lush robes and slippers will help in your relaxation for your big day. All of the rooms have lovely views, but the balcony room suites are a fantastic mini escape while planning your next big adventure or just remembering the highlights of your epic Iceland wedding day over a glass of wine.

Within Hotel Borg, the option of the restaurant is a daily or nightly option, with every day starting off with a fanciful spread for breakfast that should complement even the pickiest of palates. A full dinner service is offered nightly as well along with the most lavish of special event menu options for a welcome dinner or for your wedding feast! If a cocktail is what your taste buds are pleading for then Borg is connected to a great little watering hole, offering lovely craft cocktails, small bites, and because who doesn’t love fresh popped truffle popcorn! If you’re adventurous side wants to go out and explore beyond the hotel for libations or local cuisine then the options are limitless and all within the shortest of walking distance of this fabulous Iceland hotel.

Hands down one of the best and most beautiful hotel’s in Iceland to stay… Borg offers something for every discerning kind of taste. There’s nothing like popping a bottle of champagne on one of the beautiful balconies overlooking downtown and watching the fiery colors of sunset at the end of a long day of adventure!

With a smile, Beth Golden (Iceland Wedding Videographer & Planner)

Hotel Borg Contact Information:

• Website: http://en.hotelborg.is
• Address: Posthusstraeti 11; 101 Reykjavik – Iceland
• Phone: +354-551 1440
•  Hotel Borg GPS Coordinates: 64° 8,824’N, 21° 56,324’W

© 2002-2014, Photos by Miss Ann, All Rights Reserved

The post Hotel Borg: A Fabulous Iceland Wedding Hotel appeared first on Iceland Wedding Planner.