The Big Six: Swedish summer retreats
From a fairystale seaside villa in Ljungskile to a newly renovated B&B next to Hornborga lake...
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The 19 bedrooms at this small country hotel are comfortingly traditional, in keeping with the historic manor house. Decorated with antique beds, prettily painted woodwork and a motley collection of paintings and heirlooms, each is named after a previous owner. Relax in the spa or go for a stroll by the lake before booking in for a gourmet dinner made with local produce. Or really get away from it all in a new suite set on a raft at the water's edge.
Dufweholms Estate, Katrineholm, Sodermanland (00 46 1507 5400; dufweholm.se). Doubles start at SEK2,290 (£227), with breakfast.
Villa Sjotorp, Ljungskile
This 14-room seaside villa is a fairytale mix of white fretwork, granny-chic bedrooms (each with fresh flowers and vintage furniture) and views out through copper beech trees on to "Freckles" fjord below. There are blankets on the terrace for chillier evenings and a small pebble beach from where you can plunge into the sea if you feel the need to work off chef Linnea Petterson's gourmet organic dinners.
Villa Sjotorp, Ljungskile, West Sweden (00 46 5222 0174; villasjotorp.se). Double rooms start at SEK1,698 (£168), including breakfast.
Laktatjakko Mountain Lodge, Bjorkliden
This lodge may be partner to Hotel Stureplan in Stockholm but the two places couldn't be more different. Up in the mountains, 250km above the Arctic Circle and 1,228m above sea level, Laktatjakko sports no designer chairs, iPod docks or flatscreen TVs. Instead there are 10 simple bedrooms, a wood-panelled bar, sauna, hearty country cooking, direct access to world-beating hiking trails, fresh air on tap and, from June to September, long, light days in which to enjoy it all.
Laktatjakko Mountain Lodge, Bjorkliden, Norrbotten (00 46 9806 4100; bjorkliden.com). Doubles from SEK1,590 (£158), half board.
Dala-Floda Inn, Dalarna
This homely, 17-room inn made its name by committing to an organic, slow food ethos. Guests also come just to enjoy the atmosphere: a restorative recipe based around traditional décor, a dip in the nearby lake or a stroll around the garden.
Dala-Floda Inn, Badvagen 6, Dala-Floda, Dalarna (00 46 2412 2050; dalafloda-vardshus.se). Doubles start at SEK1,100 (£108), B&B.
Sillegarden, Vastra Amtervik
Open only in summer, this small restaurant and guesthouse has been going since 1915. The dining hall is decorated in Old Norse style, with painted wooden walls and ceiling. The handful of pretty bedrooms overlook Lake Fryken.
Sillegarden, Brunnsvagen 21, Vastra Amtervik, Varmland (00 46 5655 0005; sillegarden.se). Doubles start at SEK950 (£94), with breakfast.
Nastegarden, Falkoping
This newly renovated B&B is right next to Hornborga lake, which plays host to tens of thousands of "dancing" migrating cranes in spring. Inside, handmade wallpapers, a wood burning stove and antique linen set a very special tone in the two bedrooms.
Nastegarden, Satuna, Falkoping, West Sweden (00 46 500 49 2026; nastegarden.se). Doubles start at SEK840 (£83), including breakfast.
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