Sundbyholms Slott

We ended up at Sundbyholms Slott AB because our plans changed, and it worked for a short stop. I wouldn’t choose it as a destination on its own, or for a longer, more engaging stay. It was functional rather than memorable. The room was small but had the essentials, and parking was free. Reception staff were practical, though not especially friendly. There’s a small spot with free coffee and water, which was a nice touch. The castle building itself is used only for breakfast and dinner, not for rooms. The nearby port and boats give the area some charm, but there isn’t much else to do. You can swim in the water, though we didn’t find the atmosphere inviting. The nearby town doesn’t have the best reputation, so we decided against going there for restaurants. Breakfast was too basic and unappealing. Dinner was better: the risotto was very tasty and dessert was enjoyable, but the starter buffet of cold items didn’t fit the quality or style of the other courses. The wine came much too warm; staff readily replaced it with chilled bottles when we mentioned it. Even so, dinner felt overpriced.

The hotel was a restful, quiet break after the bustle of a big city, exactly what we needed. We enjoyed the attentive, excellent staff, the fine dining, and the impressive castle. There are extensive hiking paths on the property and great views over the lake. We’d planned a couple of nights here on the drive from Gothenburg to Stockholm for rural lakefront scenery, charming towns, and sights, and had a great time. Seeing this part of Sweden greatly deepened our understanding and appreciation of the Swedish people and the country’s history. We highly recommend it!!!

It’s a picturesque location, but this felt like a budget motel with an attitude. What they advertise and what you get are completely different. More Schitts Creek than luxury castle. Tourists and wedding parties should steer clear. It wasn’t worth what we paid for one night. Calling this a “castle” is like McDonalds declaring itself a fine dining experience. The reception staff have perfected ignoring guests waiting at the desk. Three of them hid in the back office and deliberately avoided looking at us. Twice! There was an empty Coke bottle under the table, so the cleaning staff weren’t paying attention. Dust clogged the vents, leaving no ventilation, and the window wouldn’t open. When I pulled the curtain, the rail fell off. Sloppy, dirty, and unwelcoming, and they can’t manage guests if it’s above 20C.

The rooms were fantastic, with wooden sofas in the library and lovely harbor views.