Båstad, Sweden

Review: Hotel Skansen

The Nordics • Stay • Review: Hotel Skansen in Båstad, Sweden

What’s the hotel in a nutshell?

Hotel Skansen is located in the heart of Båstad, a small but affluent and quietly luxurious town in the north-west of Skåne. One of its more surprising claims to fame is that, back in 1995, Richard Gere was spotted skinny-dipping here with a local girl. On one side of the hotel lies the beach – quite literally on its doorstep – and on the other, the Swedish Open’s centre court. The 15 buildings form a substantial yet welcoming ensemble, housing restaurants, bars, a spa, open-water swimming facilities and trainer-led fitness classes, all under one roof. The rooms are compact, cleverly planned, and styled in a moody, rich palette – a striking departure from the typical, light-toned Scandi look.

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What are the rooms like?

Hotel Skansen’s 172 rooms span the original turn-of-the-century main building – once a grain silo – a modern sea-facing wing, and the separate Tennis Pavilion. Each offers a different atmosphere. The main building retains its period charm, with mullioned windows, timber floors and thoughtful touches that nod to its early 1900s roots. Rooms here are dressed in a calm, natural palette, elevated by linen headboards, tactile wool throws and thick carpeting.

In the newer wing, the aesthetic leans more minimal. The shared spaces resemble the hull of a ship, complete with conversation areas and a large fireplace. Interiors by Gunilla Järvinen are understated yet refined: whitewashed walls, pale oak furnishings and muted textiles give a feeling of calm. Rooms follow the same darker, moodier palette as the main building – modern, dramatic and plush. The bathrooms are compact and split – one part open to the room, the other enclosed. Many rooms offer terraces or balconies. Ours featured tall French doors that opened onto views of Laholm Bay, the sandy beach and the hotel’s cold bathhouse.

Suites worth booking for a splurge

Among the top picks are the two suites in the historic wing. Their layouts differ slightly, but each features a generous lounge, separate bedroom and sea views across the Kattegat. They’re particularly popular during the Swedish Open, offering both proximity to the action and a peaceful retreat.

For added privacy, the Tennis Pavilion across the street offers loft-style rooms with private entrances, terraces and oversized beds. These should be very nice apartments for longer stays or low-key romantic weekends.

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What else?

Hotel Skansen’s spa is one of the hotel’s highlights. It actually consists of three different areas. Starting from the top, the rooftop section features an infinity pool heated to a steady 38°C all year round, with sweeping sea views. A panoramic sauna lined in pale spruce and a quiet relaxation area offer calm between treatments or post-plunge. The treatment menu draws from nature, with options like sea salt scrubs and forest-scented body wraps.

Downstairs, there are heated plunge pools, steam rooms and saunas. Slip into your bathrobe and slippers and head down to the beach and the traditional cold bathhouse. Originally built in 1848 it stretches into the Kattegat sea. After being destroyed in a fire, the current bathhouse was constructed in 2009. It offers a ritualistic plunge into icy seawater followed by time in the sauna. The contrast of hot and cold is central to Swedish wellness culture.

Tennis, training and saunas

Båstad is Sweden’s unofficial tennis capital and Skansen is closely linked to the sport. It hosts players and spectators during the Swedish Open and has its own courts available for guest use. There’s also a fitness studio, gym, regular yoga classes and trainer-led HIIT sessions on the beach.Bikes for hire are ideal for exploring the scenic Bjäre Peninsula.

In summer, guests can use the hotel’s private beach and jetty. In winter, the pace shifts – think spa treatments, leisurely meals and crisp walks along the frosty shoreline. Skansen is also popular for corporate events and retreats, with several meeting rooms offering sea views, excellent catering and a pace conducive to creative thinking.

Food and drink that reflects the Halland region

Breakfast is generous – made-to-order eggs, smoked fish, fresh berries and homemade granola. Given the hotel’s scale, we were genuinely impressed by how smoothly everything ran. What did not impress us was the bread that was offered. Definitely below par, unfortunately.

Dining centres around Restaurant Sand, where seasonal, locally sourced ingredients lead the menu. It offers both set menus and a la carte options. At dinner, you might find butter-poached cod with dill hollandaise or venison with pickled chanterelles. The service is warm and effortless – attentive, knowledgeable, and just chatty enough to feel personal.

There’s also a well-stocked wine cellar with over 1,000 labels and sommeliers are on hand for recommendations. We made things easy by opting for a bottle of Minuty rosé, which rarely disappoints. For a more relaxed setting, the Lounge Bar offers classic cocktails, local ciders and bar snacks in a soft, candlelit glow.

Cocktails and bar food

Adjacent to Restaurant Sand, Mr G Lounge & Cocktail Bar offers a cosmopolitan atmosphere reminiscent of a stylish Parisian bistro. Named after King Gustav V, who competed in the Swedish Open under the pseudonym ’Mr G,’ this lounge serves as a tribute to the hotel’s history. The bar features a selection of signature cocktails, including the Bjäre, a well-balanced blend of grapefruit zest and local flavors, and the Yu-zu ginger, which combines the heat of ginger with the freshness of lemon and yuzu. In the afternoons, guests can enjoy a small menu of bistro dishes, while evenings offer a special menu of starters, mains, and desserts.

Schema Pianobar

Located within Restaurant Sand, the Schema Pianobar provides live music performances on select evenings. You can enjoy a range of cocktails and beverages while listening to talented pianists and other live acts. The pianobar also hosts Sunday brunches accompanied by live music, offering a delightful way to relax and unwind.

Rooftop Restaurant

The rooftop restaurant offers panoramic views of the Kattegat Sea and the centre court. As a guest, you can indulge in a variety of dishes and beverages while enjoying the serene ambiance. The rooftop area features a warm infinity pool, jacuzzi, sun terrace, and spacious relaxation areas with lounge chairs.

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What’s our final take?

Hotel Skansen in Båstad has long been known as a lovely place to stay – and we wholeheartedly agree. Yes, it’s sizeable, and yes, it draws a mix: couples on romantic breaks, girlfriends escaping without the kids and corporate groups. But it manages to remain calm, dignified and oddly homely. Age may have something to do with it – guests tend to be in midlife or older – but that only adds to the sense of ease. Quietly padding about in robes and slippers, always halfway to the next spa treatment or cocktail, we found it to be the perfect, low-resistance weekend escape.

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What’s the region like?

Skåne doesn’t try to compete with Sweden’s north or centre – it doesn’t need to. Down here, the land softens, the pace steadies and the Danish influence lingers in everything from dialect to architecture. The cities – Malmö, Lund and Helsingborg – carry their weight, but the real rhythm is rural: broad fields, Baltic light, beaches that stretch without interruption. Skåne feeds the rest of the country, literally. Seafood, root vegetables, berries, game – all of it shaped by a farm-to-table culture that predates the phrase. Art is quiet but present. Design leans functional. It’s not the Sweden of snow and fjäll. It’s something gentler. And far more interesting than it lets on.

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