Stella Maris

We loved the food, rooms, view, and location at Stella Maris, but the staff were the best part. They were exceptional. It was our first visit to Denmark, and we’ll be back soon and staying at this hotel again. If you visit Denmark and skip Stella Maris, you’ll miss something special. Don’t miss it!

We reached this elegant countryside hotel on the western outskirts of Svendborg just before dark, at the end of a long road trip from Switzerland over the Christmas and New Year weekends of 2023. Spending New Year’s Eve abroad is always a lottery, but staying here turned out to be a tempting idea. Our simply and nicely decorated room got us ready in time for the Queen’s 6 pm speech to the nation. She announced she would resign and hand the reign to her son after 52 years as leader. The dinner lasted until midnight, with oysters and champagne in the bar first. It was an interesting look at how Denmark’s upper middle class eats and drinks. There was no real dress code, so some people wore brown shoes after 6 pm, something only advisable if you’re heading out to hunt wild boar at night, which clearly wasn’t the plan. The food and wine went well together, though as a wine snob I found a few of the wines less than classy. Olivia doesn’t eat meat, and the kitchen replaced the giant Wellington beef with a matching turbot dish, a really nice touch. The rain stopped just before midnight, so we could enjoy a beautiful fireworks display right in front of us from the hotel terrace. We skipped the other guests’ nightcaps because we had an early breakfast and our final drive to Copenhagen the next day. As usual with breakfast in Denmark, there were bitters to help with a hangover, three kinds in our case. So traditional. The staff deserve compliments for putting up with everyone’s habits with a smile. They were very professional. The rooms also have the world’s longest shoehorns, a tribute to their guests.

The service, food, and welcome were excellent. Our server knew the menu well and was attentive, and the French-inspired cooking felt like Michelin-star quality. We also loved the view of the canal from our room. The rooms, bar, dining area, and outdoor seating all impressed us, as did the care put into the property’s small decorative details. Our only regret is that we couldn’t stay longer. Stella Maris is one of my favourite boutique hotels from all my travels, and I’d head there again for a stay or a meal if I’m in the area.

Just a short walk from lovely, cozy Svendborg, where you can also catch a boat to some of the small nearby islands. The hotel is in a superb spot with quiet, relaxed surroundings. There’s a wonderful bar and restaurant with a great view and comfortable chairs, and the rooms have all the necessities. The food is exquisite, delicious, seasonal, and locally produced. Everyone we met, from Hotel Director Lui to the cleaning staff, was sweet and welcoming. The relaxed, embracing feel of the workplace rubs off on guests. We’ll definitely be back.