Beautiful seaside hotels in Denmark
Vacation in the archipelago at one of Denmark's most classic hotels.
The great age of Danish seaside hotels dates from the end of the 19th Century, when the well-to-do started to spend their holidays away from the city. As the decades passed, for many Danes, a summer at a seaside hotel became the preferred choice of holiday, until the advent of charter flights and package holidays that moved beach holidays to more southerly climes.
In recent years, the simple life at a resort hotel has enjoyed a huge renaissance in providing a relaxing break from hectic everyday life. Many seaside hotels are open all year round, and in the off season, you may want to seek refuge in front of a blazing fire to read a book after a bracing windblown walk along the shore.
Here are our favorites:
A hundred-year-old gem
Hornbækhus
Hornbækhus from 1904 is a North Zealand treasure, that has attracted the cream of society and regular guests from all parts of Scandinavia for over 100 years. The hotel has delightful gardens and rooms in a pale and cheerful, Nordic manor house style. It’s located very close to the beautiful Hornbæk beach and Hornbæk Plantage with wild forest and an 8km running/walking trail.
Spa overlooking the Baltic Sea
Stammershalle Badehotel
This beautiful spa hotel from 1911 is located in the Bornholm archipelago. You’d never tire of the views over the foaming Baltic Sea and the hotel has a fantastic restaurant whose award winning chef gets the very best out of local ingredients while adding a French twist.
Laid back luxury
Helenekilde badehotel
Helenekilde has scented Rosa rugosa, the sea below and a veranda where you can spend the whole summer, if you have the money. Here, you'll find a sense of laid back luxury and an authentic Danish seaside hotel atmosphere a la 1904, albeit in an updated version, laced with Copenhagen celebrities and concerts.
One of the classics in Old Skagen
Ruths Hotel
Ruths Hotel is one of the great classic turn of the century hotels in Old Skagen and always an experience. Take a walk through the sand dunes down to the sea for a bracing dip or relax in the spa complex before enjoying dinner in the hotel's fabled restaurant.
Among kings and authors
Brøndums Hotel
Famous figures such as Hans Christian Andersen, King Christian X and many Skagen artists have stayed at the legendary Brøndums Hotel, and the yesteryear spirit and charm remain intact in this delightfully styled classic resort hotel. The icing on the cake is the gourmet restaurant with a menu dating back to Madam Brøndum's classic cuisine.
A real winner
Dyvig Badehotel
This impressive award winning seaside hotel has an air of having been built for the more well-to-do of 100 years ago, but actually only opened in 2010. It sits in an idyllic location with water in front and forest behind. Gourmet food and classic Danish cuisine. Named best Hotel and Restaurant by the Luxury Prize Awards in London in 2016 and preliminarily nominated for Den Danske Spiseguide 2017 (Danish Good Eating Guide).
For an relaxing yet active get-away
Melsted Badehotel
Yet another amazing Bornholm treasure that first opened in 1932. Meticulously maintained green areas where you can play cricket and golf, blue water and beaches are just below the terrace. Melsted Badehotel offers delightful rooms in a luxury resort hotel style with Swedish Hästens beds and sea views, plus a stunning restaurant.
Tasteful and summer romantic scenery
Gilleleje Badehotel
Spectacular seaside hotel in the beautiful green oasis of Gilbjerghoved near Gilleleje. Tasteful, summer romantic interior design with fantastic views over the sea. Hearth, good food and plenty of atmosphere in the restaurant and a gorgeous spa complex. Be sure to take a sunset stroll along the little path along the shore that takes you into Gilleleje.
A piece of design history
Henne Mølle Å Badehotel
The man behind this delightful dunes hotel dating from 1936 was no less a figure than Poul Henningsen, a Danish author, critic, architect, and designer, and one of the leading figures of the cultural life of Denmark between the World Wars. The hotel is situated in a protected dunes area close to the endless North Sea sandy beaches. The interior design is simple yet stylish with plenty of PH lamps, and the restaurant serves well-prepared, organic Danish summer food.
Text by Lise Hannibal