I visited Sweden when my best friend was celebrating her birthday and to relax after a fantastic party she brought me to Hotel Havsbaden in Grisslehamn which is a fantastic spa hotel near Stockholm. We visited in October, when all the leaves had started to change and there was a soft chill in the air. There is something extra cosy about a heated outdoor pool when it’s cold outside, so it was a fantastic time to escape to Hotel Havsbaden.
On the move to Hotel Havsbaden
Grisslehamn and Hotel Havsbaden is about a 1.5 hour drive from central Stockholm or from Stockholm Arlanda Airport. As we drove out of the city the roads quickly became lined with autumnal trees. It’s such a treat to swap the often stress-inducing city centre of Stockholm, with the beautiful Swedish countryside. Of course, some bias is present since I grew up here, but there is something so cosy about seeing those cute little red cottages along the roads. The hotel has its own parking for guests to use, which is right outside the entrance. There is also a set of stairs on the side of the hotel to take you down to the harbour.
♥ Did you know most of these red houses are painted with the same color, known as Falu Red? The pigment comes from the Falun copper mine. It is Sweden’s oldest and most widely used paint.
The Albert Engström atelier
Grisslehamn is fairly quiet spot and my top recommendation is to go for a walk around and admire the lovely nature here in the archipelago. There is also the Albert Engströms atelier which sits right by the sea. The little cottage, painted white on the sea-facing sides and red on the land-facing sides, marked a clear landmark for seafarers. During’s the ateliers opening hours you can visit and learn more about the artist Albert Engström.
Uppsala
Looking for some more excitement and something a little different from Stockholm? Then I’d warmly recommend Uppsala which is about a 1 hour and 15 minute drive east. Uppsala is known as a student town and boasts a rich and fascinating history. The Uppsala Castle sits up on a little hill and right behind it you also find the botanical gardens. The city is also famous for its cafés, and my two favourites are Café Linne and Ofvandahls Hovkonditori. Try a lovely cinnamon bun or slice of princess cake!
Design & Vibe:
As someone with a soft spot for fireplaces, it was an immediate gold star for me when I stepped inside the hotel and was greeted with a warming fire. Behind sat a well stocked complimentary coffee and tea station. As well as a candy buffet, complete with a biscuit stand. The reception staff were really friendly and welcoming as they made sure we had all the information we needed before finding our rooms. They did highly recommend booking a table for dinner, which we proceeded to do as well.
The spa is open until midnight every day so you can easily go to the spa as you arrive. Then go for dinner and still go for an evening session as well if you would like. As we set off to find our room, we saw that every guest door featured an autumn leaf wreath. A small but charming detail.
Rooms That Make You Feel At Home
It’s been a while since I shared a hotel room with someone else, but on this trip me and my best friend shared a double bed as it was her birthday weekend. I just have to say how cosy it was and how it really gave my feelings of girlhood. Would warmly recommend going away and sharing a room with your bestie. Especially if it’s been a while since you last did it!
The beds were really soft and comfortable so I ended up sleeping incredibly well. As we arrived there was a little teddy bear sitting on the bed. For those wanted to bring one home as a souvenir, perhaps as a gift for a child, they were available to purchase in the reception.
If we’d visited during a warmer time of year, it would’ve been lovely to make the most of the little terrace outside. If we hadn’t been so tired from the previous days’ festivities, we probably would’ve enjoyed a drink or two al fresco.
Dining Experience at Hotel Havsbaden
Breakfast at Hotel Havsbaden
The breakfast at Hotel Havsbaden was buffet style in the same space as the dinner had been taking place the prior evening. There were plenty of choice with everything from granola and cereals to fresh bread and cheese boards. The highlight for me was the waffle maker which made delicious Swedish waffles. As a Swede I may be biased, but this is my favourite style of waffle. If you have never tried Swedish or Scandinavian waffles before, they have batter more similar in flavour to crepes and are thinner and often crispier than Belgian or American waffles. The latter two also tend to be stodgier than the Scandinavian version. They came with assorted jams and whipped cream, but you can just as easily turn them savory with cheeses or ham if you prefer.
As a tea drinker I was happy to see a nice selection of teas as well as coffee machine. I often feel that tea drinkers can be a bit neglected at breakfast buffets. Amongst the hot dishes there were Swedish classics such as meatballs and “prinskorv” (= prince sausage). If you haven’t tried them before I would definitely recommend them. Halved meatballs and liver pate makes for an excellent open sandwich topping, if you ask me. Whilst I am already on the subject of local delicacies, there were also things such as rose hip soup available. It is a sweet soup which is usually served either warm or cold. It is also a great source for Vitamin C! I used to drink it warm from a cup when I was a child so it tastes quite nostalgic to me.
Dinner
When we headed for dinner we noticed why the ladies at reception had recommended a booking as it was quite busy. The atmosphere in the restaurant was really inviting and relaxed. Even though almost every table in the large room was taken, the noise level remained surprisingly pleasant.
To start off we all were still in celebration mode as it was my best friends birthday weekend still so we ordered passionfruit martinis. I know passionfruit martinis can be really sweet and not taste much of passionfruit sometimes, but these had a really fresh taste to them. It was a lovely cocktail to sip on whilst we browsed through the menu.
I ended up picking a venison dish with potatoes and mushrooms. It was very well cooked and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In Sweden it’s quite common to have bearnaise sauce with meat. Which is something I know is less common where I now live in the UK. But I would highly recommend bearnaise with something like venison if you get the chance as it’s a lovely pairing. There were so many eye-catching options on the menu.
♥ When I come back I would love to try the tuna tartare or the creamy pumpkin soup with chevre toast that sounds divine.
Spa & Resort @ Hotel Havsbaden, Grisslehamn Stockholm
The highlight of Hotel Havsbaden definitely is the spa. I must admit that I am a little picky when it comes to spas… Primarily because I have been to quite a few subpar ones. But I absolutely loved the spa here.
When you walk in there is first an elegant seating area and a bar where you can order food, drinks and snacks. On the menu there is a variety of sandwiches, salads and wraps as well as charcuterie boards and lighter snacks like olives and nuts. You can even order little moose snack sausages if you want to try a Swedish delicacy. By the bar there is also a water station with fruit infused water. Perfect for filling up your glass at any time and staying hydrated. There is also seating surrounding the swimming pool right next to the bar.
The swimming pool is a decent size for swimming laps. Besides the swimming pool, there is also a heated outdoor pool, a cold plunge and hot tubs. We also spotted another outdoor pool, outside our room but it was closed down so I believe it’s only open during the high season in the summer months.
Sauna & Treatments | Grisslehamn Spa
There are also multiple saunas, with my favourite being the aroma saunas. They all have quite a Scandinavian design to them, with their wooden features. I also liked their close proximity to the cold plunge pool. There is nothing I like better at a spa than warming up in the sauna and then dipping into cold water – over and over again. This cold plunge was also properly cold, so I would advise to not stay in too long. I’m quite used to going in cold water, and I wouldn’t have stayed in longer than absolutely maximum three minutes.
Hotel Havsbaden was such a lovely place to visit with my best friend, but it could also be a wonderful spot to visit on your own. I am sure that the tranquility and relaxing atmosphere here could provide many insights and perhaps spark some creativity if you are working on anything specific.
We did not take the time to explore any treatments on this visit, but there were several different options from massages to peelings available to choose from.
♥ Spa arrangements from = 1095 SEK per person
(bastu means sauna in Swedish)
Why Hotel Havsbaden Stands Out
There are many reasons that I would visit Hotel Havsbaden again, but here are my top ones!
- The overall experience: Some places have certain features that really stand out and other that perhaps don’t hold the same quality. But I thoroughly enjoyed all aspect of Hotel Havsbaden. The dinner was delicious, the spa elegant and relaxing and the rooms spacious and comfortable. The overall experience is the number one reason I want to make sure to return someday.
- Fresh waffles at breakfast: I absolutely love Swedish waffles. They are a little thinner and crispier than the American versions and more reminiscent of crepes in flavour. Delightful both with savoury toppings or sweet.
- The fantastic spa: I have yet to find a really good spa in the UK where I live so I really appreciated the high quality of this spa and could’ve easily stayed for just another couple of hours here at Grisslehamn.
- Gorgeous surroundings: The Stockholm archipelago is incredibly charming. I also have such a weak spot for being near the water so admiring the sea outside the window was such a treat.
- 24/7 candy bar: Just a little detail, but such a sweet one (see what I did there?). There were both a couple of different pick n mix sweets, but also cookies and a tea & coffee station. We made sure to grab a hot drink before our walk around the harbour – and I would recommend you to do the same.
Additional Information
- Address: Skatuddsvägen 18, 764 56 Grisslehamn, Sweden
- Website: Hotel & Spa Resort Havsbaden in Grisslehamn
- Price Range: Rooms with spa package and three course dinner starting at 2790kr (around £250 or €290) per night for two adults sharing a room.
- Check-In/Check-Out: 16.00 / 11.00
- Amenities: Spa, heated outdoor pool, indoor pool, sauna, restaurant, wifi, parking
- Dog-Friendly: Yes, in certain rooms
- Perfect For: Couples, friends, solo travellers
FAQ Hotel Havsbaden & Grisslehamn Spa
Yes, you can buy a day pass for the spa and the price depends on if it is a weekday or weekend that you are visiting. To find the latest accurate information, check the website for more details.
It is about a 1.5 hour drive from central Stockholm.
Yes, certain rooms allow dogs inside. We spoke with an elderly gentleman who was there with his little dog Daisy and they had been visiting the hotel several times. Him and his wife loved being able to bring Daisy along each time and that said was the main reason they kept coming back.
Final thoughts
I would absolutely love to come back to Hotel Havsbaden and also to explore more of Grisslehamn. The spa would be a fantastic place to escape in the middle of winter, especially if you would be lucky enough to even get some snow outside. Imagine sitting in the heated pool outside, whilst soft snowflakes fall all around you. A cosy Swedish winter wonderland! Personally I am always more of a winter person but I’m sure they would have a fantastic atmosphere in the warmer months too when you can use the outdoor sunbeds and get a spritz to enjoy in the sun.
Read more about Sweden
- Where to Find the Best Cinnamon Bun in Stockholm
- Things to See and Do in Stockholm: An Insider’s Guide to the City
- The best hotels in Stockholm Sweden: Five-Star, Boutique & Iconic Luxury Hotels
- Explore our Sweden Travel Guide
Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
