Ulmenhof

If country living is what you’re looking for, then this is the perfect spot: Ulmenhof in Bennin. It has space, space, and even more space. This historic farmhouse with four beautiful vacation apartments offers a wonderful getaway with green as far as the eye can see. The estate is located in western Mecklenburg, in the middle of a 14,000-square-meter natural paradise between Schaalsee and the Elbe Valley. There are flowering meadows, fruit trees, quiet seating areas, a barbecue space, and a crystal-clear pond where you can luxuriate in peace and quiet. The apartments at Ulmenhof are called Old Love, Great Barn Hall, Loft, and Sparrow’s Nest. They don’t just sound charming — they truly are. The moment you open the door, you’ll know that leaving again won’t be easy. Clay walls, rustic wooden beams, plank floors, wood-burning stoves, freestanding bathtubs — each apartment has its own distinct character. What they all share is a clean Scandinavian-inspired style, combined with carefully chosen vintage finds that tell the story of the farm. It creates an atmosphere that feels calm, warm, and welcoming. Those arriving with the whole family — or a group of friends or colleagues — can also use the multifunction house (the “Mufu House”), which has a professional kitchen, dining area, wellness space, and sauna, along with plenty of room for cooking, working, talking, and spending time together.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• This beautifully restored old farmhouse was renovated with so much love and attention to detail that you instantly feel at home.
• Where haylofts once stood and wagons were unloaded, there are now stylish, modern, and highly functional apartments. All units have private entrances and range from 75 to 150 square meters — plenty of room to enjoy with family or friends.
• Sustainability and natural materials played a major role in the renovation: wood-fiber insulation and clay plaster create a healthy indoor climate, and a solar power system with battery storage supplies electricity for the entire property.
• The grounds are bordered by the small Schaale River — beyond it lie only fields and forests. It hardly gets more idyllic than that.
• The natural swimming pond and the glass pavilion right outside the door make it possible to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature in every season.
• The many seating spots are spread all across the grounds.
• The large fire pit where everyone can gather in the evening.
• The glass pavilion — making outdoor time enjoyable even when the weather isn’t perfect.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Up to 25 people can dine together in the separate Mufu House. Outside there is a terrace with lounge furniture, and upstairs is a seminar room.
• There is also a sauna and wellness area in the Mufu House.
• Schaalsee once formed part of the former inner-German border. For the environment, this was a blessing: the uninhabited restricted zone on the eastern side was left undisturbed, allowing wildlife to flourish. Today, this landscape with two biosphere reserves can be explored on foot or by bike.
• The central town on the former eastern side is Zarrentin am Schaalsee, with its historic old town and monastery directly on the lake. In summer, there is a beach area for swimming and boats for rent.
• On the western side of the lake, Groß Zecher is a popular destination and a great starting point for cycling and hiking routes.
• Other worthwhile excursions include Boizenburg (known as the “Little Venice of the North” thanks to its 45 small bridges), Dömitz on the Elbe River with its 16th-century fortress, and Ludwigslust with its neoclassical palace, often called “Little Versailles.”
• Bennin is only about one hour from Hamburg and around two hours from Berlin.
• Ulmenhof is also easy to reach by train: nearby stations include Boizenburg, Büchen, and Ludwigslust, and pickup service can be arranged.
• If you’d like the entire Ulmenhof to yourselves (completely understandable), the whole estate can also be rented privately.