Back to Nature in Sweden
A perfect love affair: Scandinavian chic and serene sustainability.
Deep in the woods in southwest Sweden, surrounded by trees, rivers, and lakes, there's an unexpected outdoor hideaway: Stedsans in the Woods. Launched by Danish chefs Mette Helbæk and Flemming Schiøtt Hansen, this carbon-neutral resort is where they live in nature, and with nature.
The eco-retreat consists of a restaurant, an array of simple yet comfortable cabins, and a permaculture farm that embodies their transformational motto: “To change something, build a new model that makes the old model obsolete.”
Sustainability and eco-friendliness are at the core of Stedsans in the Woods, so don't expect chandeliers, AC, or electric towel heaters. Instead, you get to experience being totally in sync with nature. The cabins are built of upcycled glass from greenhouses and wood from old barns, there are candles instead of lamps, hot water bottles if you get cold at night, and outdoor showers and toilets. You don't have to be a camping enthusiast to love it here either. Being in the woods day and night will help you to slow down and relax, recharge your batteries, and reconnect with nature.
Other sustainable features include:
→ Filtered water from the lake, used for the toilets and showers
→ Organic bed linen
→ No electricity or running water
→ Compost toilets
→ Off-the-grid alfresco kitchen
→ Handcrafted furniture from repurposed wood
→ The fact that the team move and rebuild the site every year, so they don’t permanently affect the soil
The woodland spa invites guests to enjoy the sauna, a sun-heated hot tub, or a dip in the crystal clear lake. The meditation deck is the perfect platform for your morning yoga, and naturally, the surrounding woods offer excellent terrain for long walks or trail runs.
The restaurant is the heart of Stedsans in the Woods. The food is pesticide-free and has a very low or no climate footprint. All ingredients are harvested in the woods and the garden, or come from local farms. The kitchen is fresh, seasonal, and creative, but it's the natural ambiance that rounds up the experience. At night the fires are lit in the off-the-grid restaurant and everybody gathers around the communal tables to experience an incredible feast.
Looking for an eco-friendly retreat? Reach out to our travel curators and they'll find the perfect spot for you.
Katharina Kiéck
Having dreamt of becoming a race car driver, Katharina studied to be an anthropologist, worked as a futurist, and tried brand strategy at Twitter before founding her own media production company. When she's not traveling or surfing herself, she's organizing network and surf experiences for people working in tech. Constantly on the move, her Achilles heel is cinnamon buns.