Gut Pohnstorf

It happened in a whirl, love at first sight. Perhaps it was a bit crazy to bet everything on this one card? But Kamila and Fabian Sösemann knew that this should become their new direction in life even though they weren’t particularly looking for one when they came across the Pohnstorf estate in Mecklenburger Schweiz by chance. It was a courageous and unplanned decision to move out of their (beloved) city life in Berlin and into a 36-soul village. Country life whoopee! But with style...! The listed manor house, built in around 1850, lies in the middle of Mecklenburg Switzerland, between the Teterow, Kummerow and Malchin lakes. It has already had a remarkable history—it was a former knight’s estate, an upper middle-class manor house, the summer residence of an industrialist’s family, and later, in the GDR, a kindergarten, a “consumer” store and a post office. Today the manor is run by the Sösemann family as a guest house, open to one and all. Families and couples in search of relaxation, villagers looking for a sociable lunch and also guests with work to do, whether it be an author finishing a book, a team brainstorming together or a group collaborating on projects. Wedding parties and yoga groups are also welcome. Everyone feels equally at home in the beautiful rooms. Why is that? The atmosphere in the house is inviting, spacious and open. The individual room furnishings mix classic and modern elements to create a truly beautiful overall result, add to that stately manor proportions, creaky wooden floors, large windows, and immensely tall French doors. When guests linger at the table into the afternoon after Sunday breakfast , enjoying their conversation in comfort; or children “just want to go into the garden before they leave”, then Kamilla and Fabian know that it was incredibly good fortune to have taken the spontaneous gamble on “their” manor house. The house simply has an engaging and indisputable charm. 

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The individual interior style with a mix of antiques and modern furniture, which leaves plenty of room “to breathe” 
• The 10,000-square-meter manor house garden has a lawn for sunbathing and playing and offers sunny or shady spots for everyone. 
• The careful mixture of elegant and rustic; a silver candlestick on white table linen is equally at home here as a meadow bouquet on a picnic blanket. 
• The relaxed atmosphere throughout the house and the airy, spacious rooms 
• The location with a garden in front of the house and forest behind it; there are several lakes in the surrounding area and a private swimming pond in the garden, which can be used for skating in the winter. 
• The manor house is situated halfway up the 124-meter-high Hardtberg and offers an open view of the gently rolling landscape of Mecklenburger Schweiz. 
• The cordial hosts who are happy to discuss any special requests - they also place great importance on the ecological management of the house. 

GOOD TO KNOW: 

• Children are welcome! Children’s toys, hammocks, picture books are all available but the best is playing hide and seek in the house and yard... 
• The apartments all bear first names of women who were socially influential in the 19th century. Malwida, Margarete, Marie, Bertha, Hedwig, Clara and Louise can accommodate a total of 30 guests, as individuals, families or groups: there are a total of six apartments and one double room ranging in size from 30-130 square meters. 
• The entrance hall, the hall, and the blue salon of the manor house are available for everyone, the manor house kitchen on request. 
• A boules court, hammocks, deck chairs, barbecue, and shaded tables under the trees in the garden are all at your disposal.
• Breakfast can be booked in addition.
• Yoga retreats with sessions in the garden or in the large hall are just as welcome here as company workshops or collaborative meetings with a follow-up dinner in the garden under the shade of trees—how can you fail to be inspired? 
• The manor is an enchanting wedding location. 
• The adjoining Gutscafé Pohnstorf offers homemade patisseries and small dishes (opening hours vary according to season).
• Heating is provided by a modern wood burning heating system, which has a positive CO2 balance: hot water is produced by a solar thermal system when the weather is good. 
• It’s between one and one and a half hours to the Baltic Sea (Heiligendamm or Ahrenshoop). 
• A great starting point for cycling trips to the Meklenburger Schweiz area; bicycles, e-bikes and mountain bikes or children’s trailers can be rented on site. 
• There are four charging points for e-cars (because the hosts have one themselves ;-)) 
• For family celebrations or group events, excellent catering can be organized. 
• For self-catering, the hosts recommend the organic box “Fretbüdel” containing fresh regional delicacies. 
• The modern art in the house comes from Lothar Oertel, an artist and friend from the neighboring village.
• Not only are there sheep, cows, cats and dogs as neighbors but also friendly alpacas.
• There are numerous castles, manor houses and small villages in the surrounding area for sightseeing tours.