High above the landscape, with breathtaking views of the Øresund, lies the Mary Hill Estate – a boutique hotel that combines relaxed luxury with modern design and scenic surroundings. Located on the former historic estate of Örbrön, the place is made for those seeking a high level of aesthetics and an experience where time and pace are allowed to merge.
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Eriksberg – The largest safaripark in Scandinavia
Nestled in the heart of Blekinge, Sweden, Eriksberg Hotel & Nature Reserve offers a harmonious blend of natural beauty, sustainable practices, and innovative design. Spanning over 925 hectares, it stands as the largest safari park in the Nordics, where (Nordic) wildlife roams freely in their natural habitat.
The Ark – A Testament to Swedish Design
One of the standout features of Eriksberg is “Arken” a recently (2024) unveiled hotel building that exemplifies modern Scandinavian architecture. Designed by architect Oskar Årevall, this three-story wooden structure boasts 23 rooms, each with south-facing terraces that provide panoramic views of the savannah-like landscape. The building’s sustainable design includes a maintenance-free wooden facade and a green sedum roof, allowing it to seamlessly integrate with its surroundings.
Inside The Ark, the design duo Bernadotte & Kylberg, founded by Prince Carl Philip Bernadotte and Oscar Kylberg, have crafted three unique suites: Urberg (Bedrock), Skog (Forest), and Himmel (Sky). Each suite reflects its namesake through carefully selected materials and bespoke furnishings, creating a beautiful design experience that blurs the line between indoor comfort and the great outdoors. All rooms feels extra spacious (they are all very generous on m2) due to the large sliding doors to wooden patios connecting all the rooms on each floor.
We stayed here at Arken for 3 days/2 nights and we absolutely loved it. We had two connecting rooms, which was really nice as the girls are getting so big now.
We are already planning to come back in the summertime when it is all green and the water lillies are in bloom. Then we will try to get a stay at the Synvillan/ “The Illusion Villa.” It was designed by architect Thomas Sandell of Sandellsandberg, and is perched three meters above the ground. The villa features a thatched reed roof, reflecting regional building traditions, while its walls are clad in polished, patterned stainless steel. This mirrored facade creates an optical illusion, allowing the structure to dissolve into its natural surroundings.
The villa’s elevation provides guests with a unique vantage point to observe wildlife in the middle of their habitat. Spanning 50 square meters, SynVillan accommodates up to four guests and includes two rooms, a kitchenette, and a furnished 15-square-meter terrace overlooking a private bay of the Baltic Sea. The villa operates off-grid, powered by solar energy and gas, and utilizes an incineration toilet due to the absence of running water.
Eriksberg Hotel & Nature Reserve honestly provides a truly unique opportunity to connect deeply with nature while appreciating the finest aspects of Swedish design and sustainability. Whether you’re exploring the vast landscapes, savoring locally sourced cuisine, or relaxing in thoughtfully designed accommodations, Eriksberg promises an unforgettable experience.
Culinary Delights Rooted in Sustainability
Dining at Eriksberg is a celebration of local flavors and sustainable practices. The on-site restaurant places a strong emphasis on game meat sourced directly from the reserve, ensuring that meals are both fresh and environmentally conscious. The menu evolves with the seasons, offering dishes that highlight the best regional produce. If your children are not in the mod for a high level culinary experience, our kids can testify to a very well-tasting kids menu as well.
Wellness with a View
For those seeking relaxation, Eriksberg’s wellness area provides a a perfect view of the beautiful “savanna” and forest. Guests can unwind in the sauna or take a dip in the outdoor hot pool. It’s an ideal setting to rejuvenate after a day of exploration or/ hiking/ hunting. On the note of hiking; there is a route you can follow along the forest and all the way around the Eriksberg area following a small archipelago trail. It is 14-15 km long, and should be breathtaking (we have this on our Bucket list for next time as it is not open to walk during the winter season).
Extra Note
Eriksberg also honors traditional practices by offering seasonal hunting opportunities. Guests interested in this experience can participate in guided hunts, with the assurance that all activities are conducted ethically and sustainably, in line with the reserve’s conservation efforts. Also, in connection to this small extra note, I need to point out that there are stuffed animals everywhere in the buildings as the original Owner and creator, Dc. Berg, had a true love for safari and hunting. Just if you don’t like that, this is probably not the place to stay over night.
Deep in the Swedish woods, we found a little hidden gem—Trakt Forest Hotel, a small, family-run retreat that feels like a true escape from the noise of everyday life. My husband and I, along with our three girls, spent a few days here, and we fell in love with the simplicity and closeness to nature. It’s a 4 hour drive from Copenhagen, but felt literally felt like we went “off-the-grid”.
The five cabins, that are beautifully designed with sustainability in mind, blending into the forest with large windows that bring the outside in. They are designed by reknown Swedish architect Gert Wingårdh, the hotel’s five forest suites creates the feeling of being in the treetops, providing panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. The suites provides everything you need, no more and no less. There’s no WiFi in the cabins (only in the main building, which also serves as the hotel’s restaurant), making it easy to slow down and just be present.
For the main part, we just stayed in the area and went for walks and logget off. Which meant seeing a moose and a morse calf in the woods (incredible experience). However, Vimmerby is very close, so the Astrid Lindgreen World is just one hours drive away.
We enjoyed every part of the experience—the fresh forest air, the incredible local and organic food, and the outdoor hot baths, where we soaked under the trees as the evening light faded. Even though Trakt isn’t specifically a family hotel, kids are more than welcome (as we have experienced with most Swedish hotels). Our toddler, Ellen, were thrilled to find toys and a kid-friendly menu in the restaurant, making the stay feel effortless for all of us. There were baby chairs and a very friendly staff every evening for us.
If you love nature, simplicity, and beautifully designed spaces, Trakt is the perfect place to reset and reconnect.
hee bune diaries 