Just north of Copenhagen, on the road that winds up to the coast of Helsingborg, you find Kurhotel Skodsborg, originally founded as a sanatorium.
Kurhotel Skodsborg is situated near Øresund, only 20 minutes’ drive, or 30 minute train ride from Copenhagen City Center or the airport, is one of the leading luxury spa hotels in Denmark. The hotel is deductively relaxing, with views of the ocean from the rooftop terraces and private jetty where guests can swim all year round.
Kurhotel Skodsborg was originally founded in 1898 as the Skodsborg Sanitorium by Dr. Carl Ottosen who had studied health and physiotherapy in the USA. Later it was bought by King Frederick VII of Denmark. The marriage of King Frederick VII and his wife Countess Danner, who was a divorcee, was not popular in Danish society, and therefore they preferred to stay together in their large villa at Skodsberg.
Behind the hotel is Dyrehave, 1,000 acres of forest and parkland home to red and fallow deer; ahead, across the road, is a little pebbly beach and the bracing waters of the Oresund (the stretch of water that separates Denmark from Sweden).
On the outside of the original sanatorium, it’s a sober-looking cluster of salt-spayed white building. Inside, there’s all the glamour and comfort of a modern luxury hotel.
Villa Rex, as it is now known, has been restored to its original appearance based on drawings of the period and is now used for special dinners and parties at the hotel.
There’s a concierge service, bikes for hire and events ranging from wellness-related talks and cookery classes to concerts and literary evenings. Because of the hotel’s lovely setting, the hotel is popular with Copenhageners for relaxing, parties and celebrations.
The big draw, though, is the excellent spa, where a big central pool is surrounded by assorted thermal experiences. There’s also a well-stocked spa shop and an on-site medical center offering services from acupuncture and reflexology to dentistry, psychiatry and physiotherapy.
The hotel spa fills one wing overlooking the courtyard and was built in 2012 to create a light airy oasis of calm with sixteen different water experiences, as well as specialist wellness and beauty treatments.
Inspired by Dr. Carl Ottoson a different fresh juice is available each day in the Lobby.
Sea bathing was considered extremely healthy and Skodsborg is one of many Badehoteller along the Danish coast.
The bedrooms come in an assortment of shapes and sizes but all have a calm, classic look, with pale woods and a tastefully subdued color palette of soft greys, blues, beiges and off-whites. We stayed in a lovely room with a balcony looking towards the sea, where we were able to see the occasional white sails drift across our view on Øresund. Our bathroom was stocked with natural skincare products from Danish brand Karmameju. In the wardrobe we found toweling robes for the spa as well as a stylish rubber basket to carry our things.
The three restaurants have a focus on healthy eating – but the food is so delicious and inventively prepared that there’s no sense of denial. The chefs, who have experience from Michelin star kitchens, have created a menu of light, seasonal dishes, based on New Nordic principles of using the best local ingredients in mouth-watering combinations. Particularly in The Restaurant by Kroun, the fine-dining option has earned rave reviews from Danish food critics for its gourmet Nordic dishes.
More informal is The Brasserie, where breakfast choices range from chia pots and fruit-topped porridge to generous servings of avocado and smoked salmon. Dinner highlights include a flavor-packed fish soup and fabulous homemade ice cream.
The most laid-back option is The Lobby on the ground floor, with delicious smørrebrød, cakes and cocktails. There are soft grey velvet sofas, marble tables and candles flickering in cut-glass holders – so restful and elegant. This is the heart of the hotel where guests can read, chat with friends or have a coffee outside in the courtyard when the weather is fine.
What to see nearby Kurhotel Skodborg
The Karen Blixen House
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Dyrehaven
Helsingør and Kronborg Castle
Finn Juhl House
Luxury Spa Hotel in Copenhagen, written by Tor Kjolberg