Hotel Skansen Båstad

The apartment felt like a low-end Airbnb, even though it's only a two-minute walk from the hotel. We rented it for three days over the New Year's event, having stayed with skansen several times before, and I can't say the upgrade is worth it. The furniture was poor in quality, comfort, and style. The kitchen was missing basics like a pan, sharp knife, and salt and pepper. Our master bedroom had two separate 90 cm beds that weren't joined together. There were marks on the floor and walls in room 415, and the cleaning staff didn't seem trained to keep the apartments tidy. We also had trouble with the key card and the stove not working.

After four nights here, and 12 spa treatments using Elemis & Thalion products, I left feeling at least ten years younger in mind, body, and spirit. The hotel sits right on the ocean and is a scenic 90-minute drive from Copenhagen (Kastrup) airport. I had blue skies and sunshine on three of my four early January days, though it was very cold. The staff were gracious and helpful at every turn. Gabriel at Front Desk and Donia, Elena & Stina at Spa were standout stars, and housekeeping, the Spa team, and Food & Beverage at both the Rooftop Pool & Bar and Sand were all top notch. If possible, ask for Room #913, 914, 915 or #916 in the main building for the lovely views over the sea and the Cold Water Bath House. The cold plunge is worth trying: the sauna is just two feet from the steps into the ocean, and the men's and women's areas are separate, with clothing optional in the sauna and plunge area. There are lovely places to relax at the Rooftop in the main building and at the Cold Bath House on the pier. This Swedish Spa Hotel is a hidden gem and a must-do even for a jaded spa guest.

That smile says it all. We had a great time at the spa and restaurant, and the hotel experience was lovely overall. We stayed in a villa-style room with our dog. She was welcome in a reasonable number of places, though not on the sandy part of the beach or in some sections of the restaurant. I also loved the Skandinavisk toiletries throughout. The town is lovely for tennis fans and beach bums.

Everyone had a smile and seemed genuinely happy to help. The customer service was amazing, with special thanks to Lavi and the front desk crew. Maybe it's Scandinavian hospitality, maybe the place is simply in a class of its own. Either way, it's a great place to stay, and I'll definitely come back.