Former lime stone quarry in exotic Gotland turned unique design destination
Furillen / Gotland / Sweden
The island of Gotland is a mythical place for us Swedes. It has a long, rich history with its strategic position in the middle of the Baltic Sea. Nowadays it is one of the most popular vacation spots in Scandinavia, especially for the many people from Stockholm who have Summer houses here. For the rest of us it could be good to know that luckily there are some really cool hotels such as Furillen to lay your head when visiting.
Fabriken Furillen used to be a limestone quarry back in the day and it is like the workers just decided to lay down their tools one day and go home, leaving it as is. As a consequence you’ll find all sorts of rail way carts and cranes scattered around the premises. The result is fascinating and oh so beautiful in a rough and exotic kind of way.
Welcome to Furillen!
We have climbed to the top of one of the gravel hills to get a view of the grounds. In the background you can see the actual hotel building.
The old factory and work shops have been transformed into a timeless design hotel. It is surrounded by old pine trees and located right by the sea.
The 18 rooms are designed using local Swedish brands such as Hästens, Lexington L:a Bruket and GAD. The design aesthetic is typical modern Scandi with blond wood, different greys and other muted tones. It all feels very homey. If you want to stay here you’d better plan ahead since the season is only 5 weeks long during July and beginning of August.
In the background you can see the in-room fireplace. Comes in handy during all seasons in Sweden.
Some details from our room. Especially like the oil lamp from Karlskrona Lampfabrik.
The bedlinen is from Swedish brand Lexington. The pattern disrupts the otherwise neutral design of the room.
Breakfast is served!
The restaurant has these massive windows flooding the room in light.
This amazing area is you just outside your room, waiting to be explored.
So much fun to explore the hotel grounds with all the different old buildings, structures and machinery.
The hotel building, which used to be worker barracks, surrounded by pine trees and wild grass which is a beautiful contrast to all the lime stone and concrete.
M is going for a dip in the Baltic Sea.
The old jetty with the abandoned crane bears witness to the past of Furillen.
Many of the old abandoned lime stone quarries are now filled with water and are perfect swimming spots with crystal clear water.
Across the bay there is a place called Bungenäs with a restaurant, a concert venue and some of the most fantastic Summer houses.
A “rauk” stone formation on the island of Fårö which is only a short ferry ride away and well worth a visit.
Don’t miss a visit to nearby Rute Stenungsbageri, a super cute café close to Furillen. They serve the best buns on the island.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…are looking for something truly unique. A hotel that is different from all other hotels. It is located and the end of the world (at least that is what it feels like), at the northeastern part of the island of Gotland.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is to stroll around the grounds discovering old relics from when this was an operating quarry. It made us feel like we were kids trespassing into some kind of factory plant. I also really like how they are incorporating the hotel into the quarry, instead of the other way around. It feels like the hotel is a temporary guest on the site.
What not to miss when staying here…
…yes, it is very popular with both locals and guests. I am talking about Rute Bakery, located a short car ride from the hotel. Their cinnamon buns are too die for (and so is the price…)! And I also want to recommend taking the ferry over to neighboring Fårö to explore this island, that to me is one of the most beautiful places in Scandinavia.
If you like this hotel you might also like…
Dexamenes, The Peloponnese, Greece
Maison Ceronne, Sainte-Céronne-lès-Mortagne, Normandy, France
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