Pädaste Manor Muhu Island

Pädaste Manor is idyllically located at Pädaste bay on Muhu Island in the Baltic Sea, just off the coast of Western Estonia. Muhu Island is a comfortable 2-hour drive from the capital Tallinn.

The earliest written history of Pädaste Manor dates back to 1566. On the 25th of June of that year Fredrik II, King of Denmark handed the manor over to the von Knorr family in recognition of services rendered to the Danish Crown.

The manor and surrounding farms were an important centre of agricultural activity already by that time. It must have been much earlier, not long after bishop Albert von Buxhoeveden by decree of Pope Honorius III led the last and decisive battle on Muhu Island against the Estonian heathens that this enchanting site was selected to build a manor.

The origins of the manor go back to the 14th century, some of these ancient walls are still visible at the very heart of the house. In the latter part of the 19th century the house was enlarged considerably and given a new façade, hence the harmonious dimensions and clean lines which give the house it’s character today. The buildings that frame the court yard were erected between 1870 and 1890, a period in which the German-Baltic nobles enjoyed great wealth.

In the late 19th century Baron Axel von Buxhoeveden had, as the Imperial Hunting Master an influential position at the court of Czar Nicholas II. Together with his wife Charlotte, heiress to the Siemens company, he brought a touch of worldly splendour to the sleepy Muhu Island.

Von Buxhoeveden renovated his manors in Kuivastu and Pädaste. The summers at Pädaste became cultural delights as Charlotte brought artists and musicians in her company when she moved with her entourage from St. Petersburg to Muhu for the summer.

Alexander took a special interest in landscaping, one might call him an arborist; whenever he traveled abroad he would bring back rare species, they until today make up the beautiful variety at the park of Pädaste Manor. After his election to Landmarschall of the region he renovated Kuressaare castle and turned it into the seat of government again.

In the winter of 1919 Axel von Buxhoeveden was brutally assassinated by revolutionaries while on his way from Pädaste Manor to the mainland. Charlotte von Siemens fled to Brandenburg the next day. Seven hundred years of family presence on Muhu that had started with their forefather Albert von Buxhoeveden’s conquest of the Island in 1227 came to an abrupt end.

After years of neglect during the Soviet period in which the use of the manor alternated between army headquarter, fish distribution center and home for the elderly until its abandonment in the early 80’s, we took up the endeavor in 1996 to restore Pädaste Manor to new splendour, with the goal to create one of the finest hotels in the Baltic countryside.

PARK & GROUNDS
Five 19th Century iron stone buildings join the stately Manor in a horse shoe shape, opening up to the Baltic Sea. The Manor ensemble is set amidst a 7 hectare landscaped park surrounded by 22 hectares of meadows & forests. The estate is surrounded by centuries old iron stone walls, partly overgrown with moss.

Our shoreline gives way to astonishing views of the bay with its islets and untouched coastland. A variety of grasses, ferns, wild flowers, berries, brushes, orchids, pine, birch and our ‘national’ tree the juniper, paint the landscape of Pädaste Bay.

The park and shoreline form part of a nature protection zone which is well known for its biodiversity. It is the natural habitat to 23 species of rare orchids. Birdlife is of particular interest since Pädaste bay is a favorite stopover location for migratory birds as geese, cranes, ducks and swans.

Three breeding couples of the rare and majestic sea eagle nest nearby, the nightingale takes center stage in the evenings of early June. The park is home to owl’s, woodpeckers, nesting swallows, tree-nesting ducks, squirrels and bats.

Deer, wild boar and moose inhabit the surrounding forest. They occasionally can be seen crossing into the park, specially during cold winters. During the summer season (1 June – 31 August) Pädaste park is open for visitors daily from 12:00 till 19:00.

PRIVATE FARM HOUSE
The Private Farm House is a historical 18th century log house with a thatched roof, where the caretaker of the estate would convey with the labourers to assign the daily works. After a delicate restoration; the Private Farm House has retained many of its original features and soul, while the quality of accommodation is of a truly high standard.

The Farm House is located in a secluded angle of our property amidst an apple orchard. In the Farm House our guests will be able to enjoy the use of two Master Bedrooms with adjacent bath rooms, The Farm House has a living with a fireplace, a cosy library with veranda and a secluded private garden.

The balcony and the terrace have a magnificent view towards the bay. To maintain the privacy character, the Farmhouse is available for bookings by one party or family only. The Farm House provides very comfortable accommodation for 2 to 6 guests, in addition up to 2 extra beds can be made available in the entertainment room.

Alexander Restaurant is delighted to provide you with dining options from our room service menu in the privacy of the Private Farm House or on its terrace. The Private Farm House is non-smoking.

CARRIAGE HOUSE
Once the home of the Barons’ riding-horses and caleches. The Carriage House has been renovated with much attention to detail and now houses 6 well appointed Junior Suites, 2 Superior Junior Suites and a Double Room.

Each suite has a private balcony overlooking the park and sea. A lobby with a fireplace and grand piano can be found on the ground floor. Every split-level suite can accommodate 2 extra guests on a pull-out couch on the first floor.

MANOR HOUSE
The Manor House of the Pädaste Estate has undergone an extensive two-year restoration, bringing back the dignity and nobility the house had held for centuries. This exquisite Manor House, set in idyllic Baltic seaside parkland, had been left totally untouched for decades.

In the course of the last fifteen years it has been saved from dereliction and slowly re-awakened, culminating in a final two-year restoration project completed in June 2008. The origins of the manor go back to the 14th century with some of those ancient walls now at the very heart of the Manor.

In the latter part of the 19th century the house was enlarged considerably and given a new façade, hence the harmonious dimensions and clean lines which give the Manor it’s character today.

The 14 rooms in the Manor are beautifully appointed with luxuriant fabrics, unobtrusive state-of-the-art technology and wonderful attention to detail. The beds are sumptuous and you’ll walk on warm wooden floors – you will love them!

All the superior junior suites and the Grand Suite have wood-burning fireplaces, stocked up daily with fresh baskets of firewood. There is a personal streaming audio system with virtually thousands of titles available at your fingertips.

Views over the parklands and the shores of the Baltic Sea are spectacular and unique. Extra day pillows invite to rest, relax and daydream. The Manor House offers accommodation in 3 deluxe doubles, 7 superior doubles, 3 superior junior suites and the Grand Suite.

ALEXANDER RESTAURANT
Alexander Restaurant occupies the most prominent space on the ground floor of the Manor House. The gloriously proportioned, elegant room with high ceilings opens into a spectacular winter garden and offers sweeping views over the park with its ancient trees.

Chef de Cuisine Achim Braitsch and his team at Alexander are proud to serve innovative Nordic Islands’ Cuisine, respecting the seasons and making maximum use of fresh local ingredients by working with the island’s producers and farmers, while many of the greens and herbs are grown in Pädaste’s own gardens and green houses. Pädaste Manor offers an arresting culinary combination of urban sophistication and wholesome countryside traditions.

In 2021 Alexander Restaurant was included in La Liste’s world’s best 1,000 restaurants and in Sabato magazine’s 100 best European restaurants. Alexander has also been recognized as among the top three restaurants in Estonia and as the best restaurant in Estonia outside of Tallinn for fifteen years in a row.

For foodies who enjoy discovering new experiences Alexander Restaurant at Pädaste Manor introduces the Communal Chef’s Table. The Chef’s Table is a communal table serving the Islands’ Degustation menu for up to 14 guests each evening, except Mondays and Tuesdays, in the Grand Hall of our restaurant.

The Chef’s Table at Alexander Restaurant invites for an extraordinary dining experience, personally hosted by Chef de Cuisine Achim Braitsch. The Chef and his team take you on a culinary journey. It’s the place to dine with fellow guests, have fun and meet like-minded people that appreciate great food and good conversation.

Alexander Restaurant offers private dining tables in the winter garden for you to enjoy Chef de Cuisine Achim Braitsch`s cuisine. At the private tables we offer you the daily changing 4-course Table d’Hôte menu or the Islands’ Degustation menu.

Join us in our Expedition in Search of the Nordic Islands’ Cuisine. We highly recommend our guests to enjoy the Islands’ Degustation. The dinner lasts approximately around 4 hours and will definitely be one of the highlights of your stay, specially if enjoyed at the Communal Chef’s Table.

For lunch our chef offers a choice between a two- or three-course Table d’Hôte menu prepared in a somewhat simpler and less elaborate fashion. Lunch is inspired by Mediterranean cuisine and a nice contrast to the Nordic Islands’ Cuisine served in the evenings at Alexander Restaurant.

The degustation menu of Alexander represents what the Italians call “cucina d’autore”. Our Islands’ Degustation menu is the pride of our kitchen! The Islands’ Degustation menu is served at the Communal Chef’s Table.

Dishes in this degustation menu will slowly, over time, change according to season and availability of produce. Besides the Islands’ Degustation menu Alexander Restaurant offers a four-course Table d’Hôte Menu. Also this menu is based on the Nordic Islands’ Cuisine and offers a daily changing variety of dishes.

It is the pride of our kitchen team to create an excellent menu based on the produce of the day. Should you have any dietary requirements, please advise us 24 hours ahead and we shall be delighted to provide alternatives.

PADASTE YACHT CLUB
Our lunch venue – The Pädaste Yacht Club on the Sea House Terrace serves a casual cuisine for lunch, a nice contrast to the elegant Nordic Islands’ Cuisine offered in the evenings at Alexander Restaurant. Unpretentious and proud of simplicity, the Pädaste Yacht Club offers a leisurely lunch in a laid-back atmosphere with gorgeous views to the manor and sea you would expect in Southern Europe.

THE BAR
Our hugely comfortable and beautifully appointed Bar at the Manor House serves aperitifs, cocktails and refreshments daily from 5pm onwards. Our special Dry Martinis and Cranberry Daiquiris are legendary and highly recommended.

The Bar also welcomes guests during the day for tea, coffee and refreshment from 9am onwards. Our bar staff is trained to assist you with tips and information, Spa bookings and ongoing travel arrangements. Whatever your needs may be, our team will be happy to provide a personal concierge service.

Whilst you enjoy the atmosphere please do take note of the fine examples of over 150 year old wall stamps, which have been preserved in the bar area, most appropriately they are depicting vines and grapes.

THE CELLAR
The vaulted wine cellar in the Manor House dates back to the 14th century, when the initial foundations for the house were laid. Once upon a time the cellar was a storage area for fresh produce of the estate – now it is climate controlled and well stocked with well over 200 selected bins of fine wines.

Our vaulted wine tasting room – adjacent to the wine cellar – is available for wine tasting and private dinners. Our sommelier will be delighted to take you on a tour around the cellar!

THE SPA
The experience offered at Pädaste Spa is based on harmony and revitalization of all six senses, in the understanding that our well-being is complete only when all senses get positive stimulation, rest and relaxation.

Relaxation and well-being is based on sometimes centuries old Estonian herbal traditions. All plants and herbs used are from the unspoiled beauty and harmony of Muhu Island. At Pädaste Spa there is no place for global brands.

Treatments marked with * are especially noteworthy, as they are based on old Muhu herbal traditions. All oils, crèmes and skin-spreads used in our Spa are freshly prepared daily; we only use pure and natural ingredients of the highest quality. It is our pride to offer you a harmonious and relaxing time in the personal ambience of our Spa.

Our professional therapists will go to great lengths to make your stay an exceptional experience. Our Spa menu will help you make your choice. Be it a single treatment, a half-day package or a complete 3-day Spa program.

Our therapist is available to give a personal consultation, to help you choose the treatment the most suitable to you. Unwind yourself and enjoy the calm, nature and soul that Pädaste is known for.

THE SUNDECK
The bayside deck at the tiny Pädaste Port is reserved exclusively for hotel guests. The sundeck is situated amidst pristine nature, with a picturesque view of the bay. Here you can depart for a rowing boat or canoe ride. Enjoy the sunshine or take a dip in the bay.

SEAWATER HOT TUB
Take a hot bath in the pristine nature of the bay. In our hot tub, the healthy and slightly saline water of Pädaste Bay is heated with a woodburning oven to a comfortable temperature that makes bathing enjoyable even on a cold and crisp winter day. Watching the sun go down and stars come up makes our hot tub the favourite place to spend a romantic hour together with a glass of Champagne.

SIBERIAN COLD TUB
In Estonia we are accustomed to take an ice-cold dip in-between sauna sessions to freshen up and tone the body. Our recessed wooden tub on the Spa terrace opens to a great view towards the bay. The tub is fed by streaming water from our own well with a constant temperature of 6°C

STEAMBATH
A relaxing and cleansing treatment, on its own or as a preparation for a body treatment. We offer a choice of pure natural aromatic essential oils or freshly ground herbs for a soothing, relaxing, and invigorating experience

MUHU SAUNA
In Pädaste we follow the old-fashioned tradition of heating our sauna with wood. The heat and steam of the woodburning sauna is special experience! Great to tone-down before a massage or enjoy our sauna on its own.

Follow local traditions and ask for a “viht”; a bunch of young birch branches to stimulate circulation. Combine your woodburning Muhu sauna with a refreshing dip in the Siberian cold tub on the Spa terrace.

Complimentary salt, Muhu honey rubs and birch whisk are provided. For an additional fee you can enjoy a juniper whisk, which makes the sauna experience even more enjoyable with its aromas.

EXPERIENCES & ACTIVITIES
Muhu Island is a wonderful location to spend a couple of days. Just a few hours travel from most northern European cities, brings you a lifetime away. Away from the hustle and bustle of City life, Pädaste Manor has a great deal to offer!

We suggest a choice of interesting experiences and arrangements. To relax, unwind and feel in harmony with the simple and genuine, that life has to offer. All packages are designed with the demanding individual traveler in mind. We will make sure that you and your friends get the personal attention and quality that you can expect from Pädaste Manor.

Rooms: 14

Price: from 132 EUR per night

Source: www.padaste.ee