6 hotels to get you up close and personal with the Swedish countryside

PROMOTIONAL The Swedish countryside is a magical place and something that Swedes hold dear to their hearts and are happy to share with visitors from far and wide. They also believe in a principle called “Allemansrätten” – or the freedom to roam and as such, it is protected in Swedish law, giving all people the right to be free in Swedish nature. In other words, Swedish nature isn’t just a piece of land with trees and lakes and cliffs – it’s a home with all the necessities and amenities that any great home should have. It’s a place where you can eat berries from the ground, sleep under the stars, swim in the lakes and roam freely. To make this home available for everyone, Sweden has listed the entire country on Airbnb. But we know that’s not everyone’s thing. So here are some fabulous places to stay in Sweden that will get you up close and personal with nature. Hotel J, Stockholm (hotelj.com) This designer property on the waterfront in Nacka puts you close to Stockholm’s infamous Thielska Galleriet, previously the rural getaway of Swedish nobles, yet within easy reach of the city centre. This property truly celebrates Stockholm’s urban-nature duality. For more great places to stay in Stockholm, check out visitstockholm.com Öijared Resort, Gothenburg (oijared.se) The Öijared Resort, just 35 minutes from Gothenburg, is located on the scenic peninsula between the lakes Mjörn and Sävelången. Here, you’ll easily forget the nearby city and be surrounded by nature. This is something you’ll also notice in the hotel design, both in colour and form. Here you’ll also find Sweden’s largest golf course, hiking trails and meadows. Find out more about Gothenburg’s proximity to nature at gothenburg.com Salt & Sill, West Sweden (saltosill.se) Salt & Sill is toe-dippingly close to the sea and just 45 minutes drive from Gothenburg. Six two-storey houses combine to make a floating hotel steeped in Nordic minimalist design. The hotel is permanently moored on the small fishing island of Klädesholmen – hence the name Salt & Sill, sill meaning herring. Experience more of West Sweden at westsweden.com Ängavallen (angavallen.se) This organic hotel on a farmstead is located 20 minutes from the city centre of Malmö, a family run hotel offering a quirky place to stay among farm animals. The rooms are simple and rustic, with all materials in the hotel built in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. The highlight here is the organic breakfast, with all elements sourced entirely from the farm. For more unique places to stay in Malmö, visit malmotown.com Bokebacken (bokebacken.se) Bokebacken offers a different type of stay, close to nature in the middle of the beautiful Linderödsåsens forest. It’s a retreat for the body and soul, offering silence and seclusion in knot timbered cottages and chalets, which are great bases for long walks in unspoilt nature. Check out visitskane.com for more getaway inspiration. STF Saltoluokta Mountain Station (svenskaturistforeningen.se) By Lake Langas, where no roads lead, you can stay comfortably in a lodge with mountains and relaxation just outside the door. Here, people and families from all over the world gather around the open fire and in the century-old restaurant – still decorated with its original furniture – meals made from local produce are served every night. The fish is from the lake just below the station and the reindeer have grazed on the mountain above. Saltoluokta is situated at the border of the World Heritage Laponia which includes the largest national parks in Sweden. For more inspirational places to stay in Northern Sweden, visit swedishlapland.com For more inspiration on gay welcoming Sweden, visit VisitSwedenLGBT.com or join the conversation at #SwedenYoureWelcome