“Rustik Elegans och Jordnära Njutning” at Ästad Vingård
This gorgeous place uses the slogan “Rustik Elegans och Jordnära Njutning“, which is really difficult to translate into English but meaning something like “Enjoy nature’s basic elements combined with rustic elegance“.
It does sound better in Swedish, but once you’ve visited this amazing place, you’ll understand the meaning of it.
Until 4 months ago, I had never heard of Ästad Vineyard and had my brother not taken me there for a walk around the outdoor spa area and a light lunch, I probably still wouldn’t know this place….
However, I fell in love with Ästad at once and after we left that day, we had already decided to spend New Year’s Eve here.
Ästad Vineyard is beautifully located around the Åkulla beech forest in the Swedish region, Halland. It’s about 5-6 hours drive from Stockholm, about 2,5 hours from Copenhagen (approx. 220 kms) and about 1,5 hour from Gothenburg.
The surroundings are beautiful and very Swedish with lots of trees, small lakes and red wooden houses in between. Very idyllic!
It’s an old family owned farm and about 7 years ago they also started to grow grapes and developed a vineyard, which is now one of the largest in Sweden (not that we have that many….but still…).
Being a very popular place for meeting/conferences, teambuilding activities, a base for hikes in the local area as well as for dining in their excellent restaurant, the outdoor spa area, “Sinnenas Spa” is what makes this gem so special to me. It’s a beautiful area built around a natural pond (earlier used as a mill pond) with impressive vegetation and a Japanese inspired garden. Here you find different hot tubs, saunas and a steambath. One of the saunas is an “underwater” sauna that is built into the lake and you can watch fishes swim by the panoramic windows towards the lake – and you can also swim in the lake after the sauna visit if you wish so (in Dec. the water is about +5 degrees…).
This outdoor spa area is so peaceful, beautiful, relaxing and I can guarantee that you’ll feel anything but stressed when done.
You can book overnight with spa entrance included and if you don’t wish to stay overnight, it’s also possible to pay around 350,- sek. (approx. 50 usd.) for day spa.
The surroundings are really, really pretty and make sure you calm down completely…..
There are several different types of accommodation at Ästad and we chose a double room in “Stenbackagården”.
We we were lucky to get room #13, which is a large corner room. I absolutely loved this room as it was so cosy and “country” like….
Very comfortable furniture, spacious bathroom with floor heating and speedy, free wi-fi.
Bathrobe, slippers and extra towel for the spa on the bed as well so you can easily get ready for the beautiful spa area.
Food at Ästad Vingård is delicious and very well cooked and well presented. Simply yummy!
Our package included afternoon tea and it was almost like a full meal…. Small sandwiches, gorgeous cakes and biscuits and fruits and a lot more…
They also do a sandwich with brie cheese and salami, which is not part of the afternoon tea, but really tasty!
The main restaurant is located in an old barn.
The ambience is so cosy and I love the fact that it has so much space as well. There’s a good distance between tables and not like many other places where you feel that you’re seated too close to the neighbouring table.
There are different sections in the restaurant but no matter where you’ll be seated, it’s equally cosy and nice.
Service is good and food delicious!
This is a true gem and I can’t wait to return!
Would love to visit during the summer and do a hike in the beautiful surroundings and of course, combined with a spa visit, in order to fulfil all my senses.
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