Whether it’s glamping, cruising canals, or traversing through rocky terrain in the Swiss Alps — the best trips are the ones that are full of pinch-me moments. Back in October, when I took a quick trip to Copenhagen and a few cities in Sweden with Absolut Vodka, that’s exactly what I got. The pièce de résistance? Wanås Restaurant Hotel in Skåne, Sweden.
About an hour and a half drive from Copenhagen’s international airport (also accessible by train!), this breathtaking boutique hotel in Southern Sweden is what dreams are made of — and you’ll want to add it to your must-visit list if not for the literal castle on-site, then for the Michelin-worthy restaurant.
Why Wanås Is So Special
Wanås is nearly indescribable — it is one of those places you need to see to believe — I truly felt like I was living in a real-life fairytale. Consisting of a boutique hotel, a medieval castle, an art museum, a farm, and an exceptional farm-to-table restaurant, Wanås packs a punch. If you’re looking for style, ambience, natural beauty, and the pinnacle of Scandinavian hospitality, this is it.
Aside from the castle, the sprawling grounds feature stunning 18th Century barns for lodging, ponds brimming with wildlife, an ever-growing sculpture park you can easily spend hours (or days) in, and one of northern Europe’s largest organic dairy farms. Whether you’re staying for a night or a week, Wanås has something for everyone, and plenty to do without even leaving the grounds. And I’m not the only one who thinks so — it was named in the “Hot 100” hotels by Condé Nast Traveler, and the art park specifically was named one of the world’s best travel destinations by The New York Times’ T Magazine.
Where You’ll Stay
There are only 11 double rooms in the two-story retro-fitted barns where you’ll sleep, and even fewer employees offering incredible service — the entire time I was there, it felt like they knew what I wanted before I even did.
The suite, which was bigger than my apartment, was extravagantly styled in a gorgeously Scandinavian fashion using only organic and locally-sourced materials (of course!). With simple lines and warm textures, rustic brick walls, sleek silver finishes, and bespoke bowls, lamps, and wall hangings, exposed wooden beams, and a red circular steel window frame, it was hard to leave the room behind when it was time to check out. (It’s important to note that I even indulged in a bath, which I only do when I feel really confident about the state of the room, and this was absolutely the place to do it.)
I enjoyed both a phenomenal brunch and dinner at the restaurant, which opened in 2017 — you’ll want to book in advance — filled with fresh produce grown locally or on-site concocted into some of the most unique dishes I’ve ever had. The menu changes seasonally and highlights sustainable ingredients while invoking the beauty of Nordic culture and traditions. I was fondest of the roasted root vegetables, stunning soups, cocktails made with just-squeezed orange and carrot juice, and easily the best, freshest butter I’ve ever had — but you’ll have to let me know what they serve when you make your trip!
Don’t Miss When You Visit Wanås
As stunning as the lodging is, the grounds and sculpture garden are what really blew me away. Our tour began with an underground tunnel with a topsy-turvy exhibit hidden inside, next to Yoko Ono’s wish trees (where I added a few wishes), which led into a thick forest — sparkling with bright, changing mid-autumn leaves — filled with sculptures, some taller than the trees, whimsical playgrounds with built-in musical features asking to be played, and a path that stretches along the property.
Open since 1987, the sculpture park’s permanent collection is home to over 80 site-specific works from international artists like Jenny Holzer, Marina Abramovic, and Kimsooja, and opens its gates to new artists annually who are invited to create temporary works, which either wither with the surroundings, or are added to the permanent collection. The park is open year-round, but the on-site art museum is open for talks, exhibitions, workshops, and more from March through November.
The History of Wanås Restaurant Hotel
Originally built in 1440, the castle is situated on what was once the Sweden-Denmark border, and was actually the battlegrounds during the Danish-Swedish Wars in the 16th and 17th Centuries (looking at you, history buffs!). The castle has been rebuilt, but some parts of the structure and interior from the 15th Century still remain, as the eighth generation of the original family inhabits the castle on-site.
The estate itself is certified organic and sustainable, boasting 450 milking cows and about 4,500 acres for agriculture alone that are almost entirely self-sufficient. Additionally, there are another nearly 8,000 acres of forestry, part of which are nature reserves, which is where the sculpture park lives.
If this isn’t enough of a sell, on your trip to Wanås, you’ll want to stop by the biggest nearby cities: Copenhagen and Malmö. Both brimming with art, culture, canals, exquisite food, and even more exquisitely dressed locals (who are likely the nicest people you’ll ever meet), it’s the trifecta of a perfect Scandinavian trip. In the meantime, I’ll be petitioning for Wanås to become the eighth wonder of the world!
For more ideas on where to go in Scandinavia read all about Copenhagen in this guide!