Hotell Havsvidden is one of Åland’s most unique places to stay with its remote location on the northern part of the island. The hotel is built on cliffs with a stunning view of the sea, with nothing surrounding it but nature. I’d really recommend it if you’re looking for a peaceful escape far from the city.
I spent two nights here during midsummer and this is what the experience was really like.
The Location and What to Expect
avsvidden sits on the northern tip of Åland about 40 minutes by car from Mariehamn. Its remote location makes the hotel difficult to reach and you will need a car to get there.
The last stretch is a long gravel road through the forest which makes arriving feel like part of the experience.
The hotel faces the Baltic Sea and offers beautiful views of bare cliffs and open water. If you’ve ever been to the outer parts of the Stockholm archipelago it’s pretty similar to islands like Söderarm or Rödlöga.
The place is rugged and beautiful. What makes it special is that you feel completely cut off from everything.
The Accommodation
The main building houses the reception and restaurant, but most rooms and houses are spread out along the cliffs. I stayed in one of the more basic rooms, which was a very standard room with a small fridge, a TV and two beds. Unfortunately the walls were very thin so the sound insulation wasn’t the best and the beds were kind of soft so I didn’t sleep too well.
Another thing that was affecting the stay was the shower thermostat. It was broken. It was either freezing or scalding hot and even though I reported it, it wasn’t fixed during my stay.
It was Midsummer week so I understand that it can be hard to get repairs done quickly, but it was really annoying to not be able to shower properly.
If I return to Havsvidden I’d definitely book one of the cliff houses instead. They look much nicer and offer more privacy, which feels like the right way to experience a place like this.
The Breakfast and Restaurant at Hotell Havsvidden
The restaurant is excellent, especially considering how remote the location is. There’s a big terrace with an amazing view. One tip is to book a table outside in advance. I missed that the first evening so we were seated inside.
The first night I had a burger which was fine but nothing special. But the second night I went for the three-course dinner and it turned out to be the highlight of my stay. The food was really good with some local ingredients like Havtorn that’s very popular on Åland. The service from the staff was on point and the evening was simply great.
Breakfast was also good, with everything you want at a breakfast buffet. There was bread, cold cuts, yoghurt, scrambled eggs, bacon and more. Eating outside on the terrace in the morning sunshine was a perfect start to the day.
Atmosphere, Facilities & Things to Do
Havsvidden is all about the setting, with the sea and surrounding nature. There isn’t much to do around the hotel and that’s kind of the point. There’s an indoor pool and sauna down by the water with a terrace for sunbathing and steps leading to a deck.
Next to it, you’ll find a small marina where boats can dock.
Most people spend their time relaxing, swimming or just enjoying the views. There are a few short walking trails nearby, but nothing major. So if you need lots of activities on your holidays you might get a bit bored.
On the second day I took the car to Getabergen which is close to Geta. Getabergen has some nice hiking trails down to the water, a mini golf course and a café. Don’t miss out on Åländsk pannkaka — a traditional Åland dessert, kind of like an oven-baked pancake made with semolina porridge and flavoured with cardamom.
Getting to Hotell Havsvidden from Mariehamn
Havsvidden is about a 40-minute drive from Mariehamn along road 4 toward Geta. There’s no public transport that gets you all the way, so you need a car. There’s also a small guest marina if you want to visit by boat.
So, Would I Stay Here Again?
Yes! Mainly because of the location and the restaurant. The views are incredible and the whole place has a calm, remote feel that’s hard to find elsewhere.
I wasn’t too impressed with the rooms, especially since they were around €200 a night. If I return I’ll definitely choose one of the cliff houses. They seemed much nicer.
