Graflicher Park is a great resort that offers German efficiency with a smile, a wide range of activities and caters for all ages. We dined in both restaurants, the elegant Caspers and the more laid-back Horse Stables. Very nice service, and value for money (Caspers with wine was about 100 EUR per person including wine - well worth it). I have been to a number of spa resorts in Europe. The Graflichers hotel's spa facilities were clean, there were many different therapies available and the resting rooms gave great views on the park. We stayed in the Droste House room 2104 which had uninterrupted views on the gardens and had a massive bathroom. Very quiet. It had a free minibar with mineral water of the Bad Driburg source, which is owned by the hotel - how exclusive is that! Our stay felt a bit like coming to visit family in a country house, but without the cold drafts and leaking water taps! Other guests must have felt the same as some of them had taken their dog along. If you are near Cologne-Dusseldorf-Dortmund, then this hotel is well worth the detour. We will be back in spring.

We spent a weekend with the family (5 rooms).
The setting and the surrounding marvelous, the offers exquisite.
But...
The food was totally inconsistent in quality. Sometimes near perfect and sometimes just not edible. Same with the service; sometimes near perfect and sometimes endless waiting. One evening, Saturday, we waited sliyghtly more than 2 hours until the main courses were served...
The rooms are furnished for the eye only. Some details are either missing or just not practical...
Public area toiltes were out of order and stayed that way sometimes for the whole day or even 2 days...

What do you expect from the last thermal spa in Germany which is still family-owned, especially when it is an Earl's family? - The best of the best. Right. And it is. The spa is ultra-contemporary, with an open fire crackling in the middle of the relaxation room. The olympic-size thermal outdoor pool is gorgeous - especially in winter when the vapours emerge from the warm water. Amazingly, they keep the pool crystal-clear - not a single leaf inside.
Another gorgeous thing here is the park which is inviting for strolls day and night. I stayed in a junior suite which was an oversized room with very comfy chairs and a large bathroom with separate tub and shower. Everything stately decorated.
The ambiance of the whole place is not stiff, but rather relaxed. The historical buildings are tastefully modernized, e.g. with wooden floors, even in the otherwise splendid ballroom. The bar is very recommendable.
Yes, there are some minor flaws, too. When I entered the bathroom first, there was an odor coming from the drain in the shower. After I had turned the shower on for a few seconds, the problem was gone. Another aspect: The way from your room to the spa and pool area is pretty long - but you are provided with a bathrobe, slippers and a tote bag to put some personal belongings in.
I was there because of a business meeting. I will come back with my family for leisure.

This is a very beautiful hotel. Wonderful building and very nice public spaces. Nice swimming pool.

The hotel rooms are also nicely decorated.

Unfortunately the first room I was allocated was extremely hot. No aircon and the room had been baking in the sun all day. The second room was very nice and cool.

Great bed, great bathroom.

My second room was next to some kind of mini-bar store room. Lots of noise from crates of bottles. Shame about that. Was woken up at 6!

I guess I just wasn't very lucky during my stay.

Staff a bit aloof but professional.

Room service was average. I expected better.