There's a charm about the Amish in Holmes County Ohio that is so special it brings thousands of visitors a year to the area; a quiet graciousness in the way lives are lived here which speaks to the deepest part of the soul. So what is this intangible quality so attractive to people from around the world?
It's true that the simple life and slower pace of this community are appealing to those who feel stressed and pressured by their own lifestyle.
But I don't think most people would actually want to live the 19th century lifestyle for which Ohio's Holmes County Amish are known. Few people are interested in living without electricity and all its conveniences. They don't want to give up the freedom and mobility of their cars in favor of horse and buggy transportation. And of course, the peculiar manner of dress would get uncomfortable and boring for most of us.
There are many ways in which the Amish people individually are just like the rest of the world. You will find the same diversity of temperaments and talents among the people of Holmes County Ohio as anywhere else. It's in the expression of those differences that they are unique. And perhaps that's the key to the attraction we see here.
The visitor to Amish Holmes County Ohio senses a peace about the people here which is undisturbed by others' opinions of them. They have chosen to live this way, and they are quite comfortable with their place in the world. An Amish family can go about their daily routine without much intrusion from the pop culture influences which most of us from outside Holmes County Ohio would agree are not necessarily of spiritual or emotional benefit.
A day-trip visitor to Amish Holmes County Ohio may not immediately sense these underlying attitudes. But it's a wonderful cultural experience to stay around for a few days; to get beyond the sights of farmers in the fields with horses instead of tractors; to see past the dark clothes, beards, hats, and bonnets of the local folk. You begin to absorb some of the matter-of-fact confidence with which people conduct their lives.
It takes a few days to find the rhythm of Amish Holmes County Ohio, so plan a few nights at the newly renovated facilities of Berlin Hotel & Suites. Overlooking the farm land just two minutes from the heart of Berlin, it puts you in the middle of this peaceful community. The green fields in the valley outside your suite remind you that you're in Amish Holmes County Ohio. But the luxury of Berlin Hotel & Suites allows you to forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
You can have dinner catered to your room from Troyer's Country Dining next door. Berlin Spa & Salon is there to pamper you and make you feel like a new person. You'll enjoy the indoor pool and sauna. After a few nights in Berlin Hotel & Suites, and a few days in Amish Holmes County Ohio, you'll take a little of that peaceful simplicity home with you.
