In Swedish, the word ‘landet’ means countryside, but it also refers to the concept of slowing down, spending time with loved ones and appreciating the little things. And that's exactly what you'll experience at Landet Stay, a collection of contemporary luxury cabins nestling in a 400-hectare nature reserve.
The bustle of Stockholm may only be an hour to the north, but it feels worlds away when you're gazing out through floor-length windows at lush forest on all sides. This breathtaking landscape invites you to hike or bike among its natural wonders, or to swim in the sparkling cold water of nearby lakes, or to take a kayak or boat to the many neighbouring islands in Sweden’s largest archipelago.
The watchwords here are tranquillity, connection and sustainability. Each cabin has been carefully designed to be simple but comfortable, with pared-back interiors allowing the eye to drift to the beauty outside. At the same time, the materials, the construction system and the energy and plumbing systems reduce environmental impact. Cool and airy in spring and summer, cosy and warm with fires and stunning winterscapes in darker months, this is a stunning retreat into nature whatever the time of year.
Highs
- A fantastic location: truly remote, but the picturesque town of Trosa is about 20 minutes away, while Stockholm lies an hour to the north
- The emphasis on wellness – massages, yoga and meditation classes are available on request, and there’s also a wood-powered sauna
- A private bay and swimming spot is just 300 metres from the cabins, and kayaks and paddleboards are free to borrow
- Flexible sleeping arrangements to accommodate couples, groups and families (all cabins have sofabeds that convert to two singles)
- Exemplary eco credentials - all cabins were built using a leave-no-trace concept, and the land will be returned to the wild after 15 years
Lows
- A handful of additional cabins are currently under construction, and these will share the existing facilities on site
- The wood-burning stoves and steps mean the cabins aren’t entirely toddler-proof, and there are no TVs for entertaining little ones - they can play in nature instead!
- Though public transport is good, getting to and from nearby towns will probably require a car
- It's a self check-in system, but the owners are on hand to help arrange food deliveries or activities
Best time to go
Landet is a year-round retreat, so when to go depends on what you want to do. July and August are the warmest months and are great for getting outdoors. It gets very cold and dark in the (long) winter, but the snowscapes are very pretty and peaceful. However, many people say May is the best time, when days are longer, nature is in bloom, it’s less busy in Trosa, and prices are more reasonable.
Our top tips
If you have a car, then the Utflyktsvägen (Excursion Road) is right next to Landet and is renowned as the best ‘road trip road’ in Sweden. The route stretches from Braviken to Stockholm’s southern archipelago and has over 100 tourist destinations along the way – everything from museums and castles to farm shops and nature reserves, as well as bathing spots and picnic areas, zoos and horse-riding. Just jump behind the wheel and follow the road!