Hotel Strandgaarden Badehotel, Vesterø Havn

A historic beach retreat on laid-back Læsø

Hotel Strandgaarden is one of Denmark’s classic seaside hotels, a low, whitewashed building dating back to 1727 and converted into a summer guesthouse in the early 20th century. Stepping inside feels like entering a long-running island tradition: wooden floors, simple furnishings and the sense that the pace of life has been dialled back a notch. The property operates as a seasonal hideaway, typically opening from May to late September, when long northern evenings and soft coastal light make Læsø especially inviting. The hotel sits a little back from the main road in Vesterø Havn, far enough to feel sheltered yet close enough that the harbor, shops and cafés are a few minutes’ walk away. It channels the ideals of the old Danish “badehotel” – fresh air, quiet nights and time to read, walk and talk – but with contemporary standards of comfort and an understated Nordic style.

Sea, sand and the island’s best bathing on your doorstep

From Strandgaarden, it is only a short walk to a broad, pale-sand beach that locals regard as one of the island’s finest stretches of coastline. Here the water of the Kattegat is shallow, clear and often calm, making it inviting for swimmers and paddlers. Dunes and low vegetation frame the shoreline, and on bright days the contrast between white sand and blue sea gives the place a distinctly holiday feel. Vesterø Havn itself is a busy little harbor with the island ferry, fishing boats and a marina, so it is easy to combine lazy beach hours with watching working vessels come and go. A stroll along the pier at the end of the day brings wide sea views and big skies, and on clear evenings the sunset can be spectacular over the water.

Island flavors and relaxed dining

Food is an important part of the experience at Hotel Strandgaarden. The kitchen works with fresh produce from Læsø and beyond, with a strong emphasis on seafood drawn from the surrounding waters. Menus change with the season, but you can expect Nordic-inspired dishes, carefully prepared and served in an intimate dining room that retains elements of the building’s age, such as beams and traditional details. Breakfast is a slow, unhurried affair, with a focus on good coffee, bread and simple, quality ingredients. Between meals, the hotel’s lounges and outdoor sitting areas offer space to linger with a book or a glass of wine, reinforcing the sense that there is no rush to be anywhere else.

Spa, salt and gentle adventures around Læsø

Within easy walking distance of Strandgaarden lies Læsø Kur, the island’s salt-inspired spa housed in a converted church. Here, geothermal warm pools, saltwater baths and quiet relaxation spaces provide a different kind of coastal therapy, drawing on the island’s centuries-old salt-making traditions. A short drive or cycle away, Læsø Salt Works offers a glimpse into this history, with boiling huts, salt pans and storytelling about how the island turned briny groundwater into a precious product. Those who prefer to stay active can set out directly from the hotel on foot or by bike. Quiet lanes and paths lead through dunes, heath and low forest, and it is easy to put together short loops or full-day explorations. The Læsø Seaside Golf Club, with its mix of forest and open seaside holes, lies within comfortable driving distance for golfers looking to play in coastal scenery.

Staying at Strandgaarden: atmosphere and rhythm

The hotel keeps things intentionally small-scale, with a limited number of rooms spread across the historic building. Interiors are bright, unfussy and functional rather than flashy, echoing the traditional Danish summer-house style. The atmosphere encourages guests to treat the place almost like a big, comfortable home: there is space to retreat with a book, chat quietly over a drink, or simply gaze out at the changing weather. Because the property is seasonal, there is a clear rhythm to the day. Mornings start with breakfast and plans for the beach or island outings; afternoons tend to drift between the sea, the spa and the garden; evenings bring unhurried dinners and the soft hush of a small island town winding down. For many, that gentle cadence – anchored by the presence of the sea just beyond the dunes – is exactly what makes a stay at Hotel Strandgaarden memorable.