Cozy seaside hotel on sunny island of Bornholm with high food ambitions
Nordlandet / Sandvig / Bornholm / Denmark
The sunny island of Bornholm holds such a dear place in my heart. One of my oldest and closest friends has a vacation home there and I have been going there every Summer for over 20 years now. And one thing that makes me really happy is to see the gentle progression in what the island has to offer, both to the people living here all year and us visiting every now and then. The nature, ”hygge” and the beaches have always been amazing but today there are also some really great restaurants, an array of fantastic artisans and of course some really cozy hotels. Like this one, Hotel Nordlandet.
Nordlandet is located on the northeastern tip of the island, in the small village of Sandvig. It is set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the ocean. This is a typical Danish badehotell, bathing hotel. These kind of hotels have been around for centuries in Denmark. They come from a time when the fancy folk (the ones with money) started to spend their entire Summers by the coast and needed simple but comfortable places to stay.
All in all there are 60 rooms and studio apartments spread over a number of buildings. The classic hotel rooms are in the main building and the apartments are in a separate row of houses facing the sea. This hotel belongs to the Kadaeu family (from Michelin star fame with one restaurant in Copenhagen and one on the other side of the island) so you can rest assured that you will eat well during your stay. I realized this connection when I spotted that they use the same tableware at Nordlandet as Kadeau.
The design is simple and typical Scandi with subtle colors and a lot of different kinds of wood. It is highlighted with some splashes of color here and there, like the forest green velvet couches in the lounge. But regardless of all the great food and the lovely design, the main attraction here is the sea. No design in the world can compete with an open horizon.
Welcome to Hotel Nordlandet!
The main building is sitting on a rocky outcrop with the Baltic Sea right on the doorstep.
We stayed in one of the side buildings, right by the water.
Our room was more like a studio apartment, with our bed waiting for us one level up, on a small loft close to ceiling. The best thing with that was that we could lay in bed and see the sea.
The interior is a no-nonsense affair with few frills. The focus has been on using solid materials to create a typical, discreet Scandi look.
In the main building there is plenty of space to kick back and relax. I love how the sun falls on this cozy seating area. Another thing I really appreciate is the mix of materials used in the interior. The wooden ceiling with the concrete wall is everything.
I wouldn’t mind having a board meeting in this room.
Seems like this ship is longing for the sea just as much as me.
The back of the hotel is facing the sea with a giant terrace and an even bigger lawn.
Downstairs you’ll find Underbar, a bar that is open also to non-residents. A great place for an after beach drink.
M is leaving the comfy outdoor sofa, heading down to the pool…
…which isn’t what one would expect. At Nordlandet there is no traditional swimming pool but instead a calm cove protected by some cliffs which creates a natural pool. The best kind if you ask me.
The hotel seen from the pool, perched high up on the cliff with views of the Baltic Sea.
This is where we spent our morning…
…before we went upstairs to the restaurant where the delicious breakfast was waiting for us. The restaurant is a bright space opening up towards the see where all the light is balanced with a dark wooden floor.
All the cups, plates and bowls are from one of the most famous potteries on the island, Lov i Listed, located a short drive from the hotel. They are only open Saturdays and is well worth a visit. But make sure to come early, otherwise all the good stuff will be long gone.
Being from the west coast of Sweden I love swimming from cliffs. And on this part of the island I get my fix. This is me having an early morning swim.
A photo of “downtown” Sandvig, where you’ll find the small harbour and…
…one of my favorite places on the island. This is Kalas, a ice-cream shop/cafe/bar built right on the cliffs. This is THE best place to spend the sunset with some friends and a fresh drink.
Kalas seen from another angle. The photo was taken before they opened shop for the day. Love that morning glow.
One thing that is almost mandatory when on Bornholm is to visit one of the many smokehouses (no, not cigarettes! It is fish) for lunch. This one is in Allinge which is the next town south from Sandvig but every village worth its salt has one.
There are several really interesting potteries scattered around the island. If you don’t have the time (or the energy) to go around to them all, there is a great shop called Klodekær in the capital Rønne that represents almost all of them.
If cliff beaches aren’t your thing there are some world class sandy beaches on the island. This one is our favorite, Boderne on the southwest of the island.
This year we came to Bornholm during St. Hans. Which is a festivity where you celebrate the Summer solstice. I am not sure what the connecting is between the height of Summer, burning witches on stake in a bonfire at the beach and then grilling “stick bread” over the fire but I am sure there is a very logical explanation.
This photo is taken from our room just before we went to bed. But this being Scandinavia in the Summer the sun is already prepared to come back up over the horizon and let a new day begin. But first some shuteye.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…love the sea. If you are one of those people that love to spend time by and in the water. If you want the sea to be the first thing you see when you wake up and the last thing before you go to bed. And if you are also a fan of Danish hygge, then this is totally your place.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the location. It is hard to beat when you are a sea-loving swimming aficionado such as myself. And to hear waves when going to bed is better than any sleeping pill.
What not to miss when staying here is…
…well - a lot! Bornholm has so much to offer that it is almost difficult to not write a complete visitors guide. But if I have to chose something I would say to watch the sunset from Kalas that is down the road from the hotel. This is combined bar/cafe/artisanal ice-cream place built right on the cliffs, right in front of the sea.
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