The final stop on our inspiring road trip around Gothenburg and West Sweden was a magical day and evening (with the most sensational sunset I have ever seen), at the beautiful hotel Villa Sjötorp.
The green roof and decorative white eaves of this sumptuous and homely independent hotel, rise out of the trees in Ljungskile like welcoming wings ready to scoop you up. As we walked up the front step splashes of bright geraniums and a flash of crystal caught my eye and I knew this was going to be a special stop on our trip.
Inside candles were alight, cheerful flowers adorned every sill and table and a smell of delicious things being baked called us in through to the dining room in tempting waves. We arrived a little early so managed to get a peek into a few of the fourteen individually decorated bedrooms before the other guests started checking in.
This place is heaven for interior design (and chandelier lovers) – each room has a different nostalgic and romantic feel, all with twinkling lights on the ceiling. Florals, fresh flowers, crystals and crochet – layers of thoughtful detail and vintage treasures await you in every nook at Villa Sjötorp. Painted panels, family heirlooms, Swedish linens and a throw on every outdoor seat to snuggle up in.
Our room was like an illustrated garden, decorated with bright botanical wallpaper designed by Josef Frank and covered in happy spring flowers, lots of people asked on Instagram what it was called so I had a hunt and managed to find it online here. The antique metal bed frame was painted green with crisp white bedding and a crocheted throw. Other pretty details dotted throughout the room included vintage furniture, a colourful handpainted ceiling rose and a glowing chandelier.
The room next door was a rosy space with blue-grey floral walls and deep pinks. Hand-stitched cushions and an oldfashioned candlewick bedspread matched the huge cupboard and the elaborately painted signature ceiling rose – a final flourish for another glittering crystal light fitting.
We peeped through a few more doors admiring the decor and then went out into the garden. We loved the rich peachy tones mixed with bright green on the outdoor sofa, tucked away on the veranda and piled high with cosy blankets.
At the edge of the garden, a path and steep wooden steps lead down through tall pine trees and out to the water’s edge. After all our midsummer celebrations we took a pre-dinner walk with the early evening tide gently lapping over the sand and shingle, studded here and there with scavenged ocean jewels – muscle and oyster shells cracked open by seabirds.
The food here is exceptional – fresh, local and seasonal. Our beautiful plant-based meal was prepared for us by the amazing Tove and our lovely host Ellika host set our table by a window that looked out over the garden and ocean beyond, with the slowly setting sun on the horizon.
As the night drew in, the sky changed from bright to amber to flame red then to pale violet at dusk. Even local folk who were dining here were in awe of the display in the sky.
A perfectly slow and lingering midsummers evening filled with great food, a glass of wine, good company and an unbelievable view in a tranquil corner of Sweden.
