At a Glance
Villa Hesnæs is a family-run boutique guesthouse in the Danish coastal village of Hesnæs on the island of Falster, set on the edge of the forest above the Baltic Sea. The former forester’s house from 1897 was lovingly restored by a local family over two years and offers eight guest rooms (only one of them has its own bathroom), three saunas with sea views and a seasonal organic kitchen exclusively for hotel guests. Kids and dogs are welcome in some rooms. The villa has its own access to the sea, and summer rates range from approx. €320 to €470 per room per night, including breakfast.
Where Are We?
But first, as always, a little geography. We travelled via Hamburg. You drive towards Heiligenhafen and board a car ferry on the island of Fehmarn to Rødby. From there, a country road takes you across to the island of Falster. For first-timers in Denmark: it is wonderfully idyllic, and if you have the time, the journey itself is a preview of the holiday ahead. Life in rural Denmark simply runs at a slower pace. You take in the landscape, catch glimpses of the Baltic Sea, sailboats drift by, people in wellies wave hello. Delightful.
Villa Hesnæs
The house was designed in 1897 by architect Gotfred Tvede as the residence of the local forester. The Rahbek family, who have deep roots in the region, took over the white villa a few years ago and spent almost two years restoring it with local craftspeople and reclaimed materials. Original windows, doors and details were preserved. When we say family, we mean it. During our visit, Martha Maria first gave us a short tour of the house, and afterwards we had tea with Kim, her father. Kim has Japanese roots and once co-founded the Copenhagen sushi chain Sticks’n’Sushi with his brothers. Thanks to its success, he was able to buy the house and turn it into this little gem. The area means a lot to him: he grew up here and loves the place.
The Rooms
Villa Hesnæs has eight guest rooms, all named after trees and furnished with DUX beds, soft blankets and understated interiors. Depending on the room, you look out over the sea, the garden or the forest. One thing to note: only one room has a private bathroom. It is also one of the loveliest, located on the ground floor with a view of the garden. The other rooms share the bathrooms and toilets in the hallway; in total, there are five showers and five toilets. We think, it’s important to know. Kim says this is not unusual in Denmark. He also did not want to disrupt the original layout of the house – which we find very commendable.
Every booking includes breakfast, access to the sauna area as well as the dining room, fireplace lounge and chess room. Extra mattresses or a baby cot for children are available on request. The entire villa can also be booked for exclusive use. Another room on the first floor, with a desk and a view of the Baltic Sea, is reserved for an artist residency; artists can apply by email.
The Spa House
The spa at Villa Hesnæs is housed in a very stylish outbuilding, the former garage of the forester’s house. During our stay, there were always a few guests wandering through the hallways in bathrobes, without any fuss. What’s more, the spa doesn’t look like a spa at all – which we found very charming. There are three saunas, one of them right by the water. In between, a dip in the sea is of course a must.
- Opening hours: daily 7:30 am – 8:30 pm
- Relaxation room: the loft above the annex and sauna, with horizon views and yoga mats
- Additional treatments: holistic signature treatments with a therapist, available on request only outside the holiday season. Treatments take place at her practice, about a 15-minute drive from the villa.
Food & Dining
The highest praise goes to the in-house restaurant. You can tell the family knows a thing or two about food. During the day, a few friendly staff members bustle about the typically Scandinavian open kitchen, preparing dinner. It smells of fresh herbs from the garden. That is the concept: the kitchen at Villa Hesnæs cooks seasonally, as organic and local as possible – and exclusively for guests staying at the house. French cuisine is combined with Falster’s culinary traditions and the favourite dishes of the young chefs.
Breakfast is very local, too. The apple juice comes from the neighbouring farm, as do the eggs and the bread. Slow food at its best. You sit on the terrace or in the conservatory, look out at the sea and think: yes, this is exactly how we imagined a holiday in Denmark.
Ideal For
Villa Hesnæs is ideal for singles and couples or small groups of friends who want to unwind on the Danish Baltic coast – with sauna, sea and forest instead of a TV.
Getting There
By car from Hamburg: via Fehmarn with the car ferry (approx. 4 hours) or overland via Flensburg across numerous bridges (approx. 5.5 hours). The quickest option is via Copenhagen with a rental car (approx. 1.5 hours). PS: Anyone who arrives by train and cycles from Nykøbing Falster station is welcomed with a cold beer (on the house).
Rates
In summer, rates range from approx. €320 to €470 per room per night, including breakfast. Prices are somewhat lower in spring and autumn.
Booking & Contact
Villa Hesnæs
Bagerste Vej 12
DK-4850 Stubbekøbing
Denmark
Pictures taken by ©Pretty Hôtels, Magnus Bach & Christina Birch.
