Hjortviken Country Club: The Perfect Swedish Staycation for Any Occasion

Hjortviken Country Club is a hotel located about a 20-minute drive from Gothenburg Landvetter Airport in Sweden, but it is not just an ordinary hotel. Hjortviken Country Club looks like a dream straight out of a Wes Anderson film.

A Design-Forward Swedish Staycation Just Outside Gothenburg

The decoration and design of this resort are undoubtedly intentional and well done. The colors pop exactly where they are meant to. From the entry and bar lounge to the rooms and swimming area, there was not an inch of this resort that wasn’t deeply thought out. 

Upon arrival, my boyfriend, his extended family and I were all quickly and warmly greeted. We stayed here as a surprise for his father’s 60th birthday, and the staff went above and beyond to help us maintain the secret when his parents arrived. They were set to arrive separately later, so we could all surprise him. 

In total, we had seven rooms: six were booked together, and a larger one was booked separately for my boyfriend's parents. After an easy check-in process we were given keys and made our way to our rooms. For the stay we had pre-booked dinner and breakfast and as a nice touch, the times of these meals were written down for all of us on the holders of our room keys.

The Rooms: Effortless Scandinavian Design Meets Comfort

The room was well designed and airy. With the lighting and coloring it felt very warm and welcoming. As you walk in, you’re greeted by a big window illuminating a large bed. An incredibly comfortable robe and slippers made for the pool area were also nicely laid out on the bed. The storage area by the door also boasts an exciting mini bar and an excellent Marshall speaker ready for use by anyone with Bluetooth. 

The paintings throughout the room and hallways were quirky, modern, and chic. As you passed by, you felt a sense of luxury take over, which was present throughout the entire experience. Down to the paint on the walls, everything felt just a bit richer.

The Spa & Pool Scene: A Swedish Wellness Escape with a Social Twist

Once we knew my boyfriend's parents had successfully checked in and made their way to their room, the rest of the group headed to the spa and pool area. The facility boasts a heated indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a sauna, showers, and a fitness center accessible to all guests. The pool area also maintains an excellent vibe from DJs and disco balls to open windows and gorgeous lounges.

Once you make your way to a lounge chair, cushioned sofa, or love seat, you can order drinks and nibbles from the well-designed bar or even scan a QR code to order to your seat. I enjoyed some red sangria with my boyfriend and his sister's boyfriend, and was a big fan of the fish tacos. Some other members of the group ordered nachos, French fries, and padron peppers, and everything truly was delicious.

After some time hanging out and relaxing, we pulled off our great surprise. My boyfriend's parents circled the room looking for their own seat, and once guided in our direction you could see the pure shock and appreciation cross over his father’s face. It was a perfect celebration and an even better location for it.

After our reunion, a few of us went to the sauna and enjoyed it for a long time. It had three levels of seating, and a 180-degree overlook of the property. In winter, you can see a snow-covered landscape taken out of a postcard, but I can’t even imagine the beauty this view would display in the summer.

After some time, we all went back to our rooms to relax, shower, and get ready for dinner at the hotel's main dining room, the Club Room.

Dinner at The Club Room: A Refined Take on Swedish Classics

At 8:30, our group met at the Club Room's front desk for an excellent meal. Prior to the stay, since we were a large group, my boyfriend, his sisters, and his mom pre-planned a set menu that did not disappoint.

We sat at two long banquettes set next to each other, half booth seating and half chairs. Once seated, we spent some time with the drinks menu and enjoyed some delicious fresh rolls and butter. With the help of the knowledgeable staff, four of us decided to share a bottle of Chenin Blanc that helped us settle into the meal perfectly.

For our first course of dinner we were served a polished take on the traditional Swedish dish, Räksmörgås. Räksmörgås is a cold shrimp salad sandwich that is light, fresh, and frankly delicious. For this meal, the shrimp salad was served in a similar style to pâté, with a cream-and-onion topping and toast on the side. The perfect stylish bite to help the atmosphere of Hjortviken enter the dinner.

After enjoying our starters, we moved on to one of the most delicious mains I have had in a long time: a tender cut of beef filet. I ordered mine medium rare, and it came out with a perfectly pink center. The meat was so tender that I swear I could have cut it with a spoon. Accompanying the meat were roasted potatoes, small broccoli florets, onions, greens, and a savory gravy. After a day of sweating it out in the sauna and drinking wine, this was everything I could have wanted to fill my stomach.

The star of the show, however, was the dessert. After a long while of sitting, chatting, and digesting, we were all met with coffees and the most amazing vanilla crème brûlée I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying– so good that I think my boyfriend might have even licked his dish clean. The texture was simultaneously creamy and airy, with a delicious crunch from the brûléed top, and the true highlight was the evident taste of fresh vanilla bean in every bite.

Evenings at Hjortviken: Games, Cocktails, and Thoughtful Social Spaces

After dinner we made our way to my boyfriend’s parents’ room, which was big enough to fit all of us, and exchanged gifts, stories, and even played a trivia game about my boyfriend’s father that his sister had made. We enjoyed drinks and shared laughs for some time, and then it was back to the main lounge space for the rest of the night. 

The lounge was the perfect space for any group to hang out, offering something for everyone. There was a bar with a large selection of cocktails, wines, and some beers and soft drinks. There was comfortable, stylish seating throughout the room for groups of any size. And there were games.

The games ranged from bar games to board games, and even a pinball machine! We enjoyed our time playing a bit of everything, billiards, shuffleboard, darts, and even a game of Yahtzee. It was a great space to just relax and enjoy a few hours, even just sitting around was enjoyable in such a well-designed third space. 

Finally, one by one, everyone said their goodbyes and went back to their rooms for a much-needed sleep.

Breakfast at Bay Bay: A Excellently Curated Start to the Day

After a restful night’s rest in a bed with a duvet made of clouds, it was time for our assigned breakfast slot. We all made our way down to the Bay Bay restaurant to be met by a huge array of options to eat. 

The breakfast layout was spread across several sections of the restaurant, including an area for cold or dry food, an area for warm food, a section for fresh juices, and space for coffee. Something interesting they did was move pastries and more coffee up to the lounge space to move people out of the restaurant and make space for more guests while maintaining a strong and unforced flow.

The selection really was expansive. There were fresh cheeses, juices, sausages, eggs, fresh breads and spreads, and even the shrimp salad we had for our dinner!

Final Thoughts: Is Hjortviken Country Club Worth the Stay?

After breakfast we collected our things and checked out. As we stood together, luggage and bags in hand, huddled into a crowd, I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of how perfect of a weekend Hjortviken Country Club gave us.

Each detail of the resort was so perfectly executed and thought out that even for just 24 hours, a group of 13 people was able to turn off their brains, relax, and connect. It was something I have not seen a property do in a long time, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to have experienced such a luxury.

I can say with the utmost confidence that I cannot wait for the opportunity to return to Hjortviken Country Club in the future.