Compiled by Kerry Potter
Image: Hotel Gässlingen
Sweden is, admittedly, not the first place that comes to mind when you’re planning a seaside break. As a result, the fishing village of Skanör, on a quiet, rural peninsula in southern Sweden, is a brilliant find. It has pretty white sandy beaches, clear waters, pastel-painted summer houses and a chic, upmarket feel, but absolutely no Brits - and not that many Scandinavians either, if you avoid high summer.
Hotel Gässlingen is a low-rise white-washed 18th century farm house, next door to the gorgeous medieval church and five minutes from the beach. It’s a family-run hotel and it shows in the excellent, friendly service.
The emphasis here is on R&R: there’s an outdoor pool, and a spa with masseuses, Jacuzzi and sauna. The rooms are made for lolling around and ours felt a like our own private spa – acres of space, furnishings in calming shades of cream, and a show-stopping bathroom. We loved the sleek, egg-shaped, stand-alone bath, fluffy robes and slippers, and generous helpings of Korres beauty products.
Be warned though: both hotel and town are not exactly Party Central – there is very little nightlife. But we’d spent the previous 48 hours enjoying the bright lights of Copenhagen (just an hour away), and Gässlingen proved the ideal spot to press pause after a hedonistic weekend. We basked in the sunshine by the pool and borrowed the hotel’s bikes – everyone cycles here – and explored the tracks that take you down to the tiny harbour and alongside the beach hut-lined sands.
Best room: 17, the one we were in. It’s in a peaceful annex right by the swimming pool and has its own private terrace at the back, from which you can view the Øresund bridge (a thrill for fans of Scandi TV crime drama, The Bridge) that joins Sweden to Denmark.
Best dish: A sausage al fresco, from the Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening summer BBQs by the pool, at which you get to mingle with the locals.
Design: Homelier than you might expect – Swedish interior design isn’t all stark, minimal and high-gloss. The hotel lounge and lobby occupy a light-filled internal courtyard, full of squidgy sofas, Moroccan rugs, candles and plants. It feels like you’re a guest in someone’s well-appointed country house.
What’s hot? The outdoor pool – well, not the water itself, but that doesn’t matter in the summer. And the pin-drop peacefulness of the location is wonderful.
What’s not? The bar, restaurant and spa shut down Sunday afternoon and through the evening, and don’t expect a mini bar or room service. And I imagine it’s pretty bleak visiting in the midst of a harsh Swedish winter – come spring or summer instead.
Who stays: the Swedish royal family and wealthy Stockholm urbanites who want to escape the city for a weekend.
Location & getting there: It feels remote but it’s actually only a 45 minute bus ride from Malmo central station. Then it’s a 5 minute walk from the bus stop to the hotel – it’s such a tiny place, you can’t get lost. Or if you’re in Copenhagen, via train and bus, you’ll be there within the hour.
Number of rooms: 29
Check-in/out times: 3pm/ 11am
Swimming pool: Yes.
Spa: Yes.
Wifi: Yes, for a nominal fee of around £1 for 8 hours access.
Eating & drinking: We couldn’t dine in the hotel as the bar and restaurant were both closed on the Sunday night we were there. But the buffet breakfast and hot buffet lunch, featuring locally fished salmon, were both good.
6 Rådhustorget, 239 30 Skanör, Sweden, +46 40- 5 91 00, hotel-gasslingen.com, Doubles from £165, including breakfast, 4 stars
