If you’re looking for a more adventurous alternative to the classic English countryside or Cotswolds escape, I think I may have found the perfect answer.
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Sibbjäns, a true passion project created by friends Susanna and Kina, located on the Swedish island of Gotland. Accessible via Visby Airport (followed by about a 90-minute drive), this farmstead boutique hotel feels wonderfully remote in the best possible way.
At first glance, the amenities alone are enough to impress: a sauna and cold plunge, yoga hut, gym, kite surfing with beach access, a natural pool, tennis courts, bikes, and horses. But what makes Sibbjäns truly special is its thoughtful approach to sustainability — from water conservation efforts to growing much of their own produce.
We had the opportunity to tour the farm with Susanna’s husband, who has fully immersed himself in learning how to farm and care for the animals. The property is home to pigs and sheep, and the piglets born just before our visit completely stole the show
The accommodations are equally charming. The main house has around 9 beautifully designed rooms, while the separate bunkhouse can accommodate up to 13 couples. I especially loved the bunkhouse concept for retreats or group trips: there’s one large shared women’s bathroom and one shared men’s bathroom, which somehow felt incredibly chic and communal rather than inconvenient. I could immediately picture a girls’ trip where everyone gets ready together before dinner. That said, if shared spaces aren’t your preference, the main house offers several rooms with spacious ensuite bathrooms and walk-in showers — one even features a bathtub directly in the room.
Bunk House & Main House The food at Sibbjäns deserves its own chapter. Nearly everything served was grown on-site or sourced locally, and the menus beautifully reflected what was coming out of the greenhouse and surrounding land.
Our first evening was a family-style dinner paired with wines from the hotel’s cellar. The meal highlighted the farm’s carrots alongside vibrant salads of tomatoes and greens, followed by pork as the main course. Dessert was unforgettable, a seabuckthorn accompanied creamy heaven. And the rhubarb tart that tasted like early summer on a plate.
The second night, we enjoyed a tasting menu featuring homemade sobrassada paired with beets and pasta, an exceptional lamb dish, and a delicate nettle soup to begin. Every wine poured was natural, thoughtful, and perfectly suited to the meal.
One afternoon, we biked to the beach for what turned out to be the least ordinary picnic imaginable. Lunch included charred white asparagus cooked on the grill, incredibly fresh turbot, and a perfectly dressed green salad eaten seaside.
Back at the hotel, the kitchen was always stocked with Swedish candies, fresh breads, and the most incredible almond-amaretto style cookies that were almost too beautiful to eat.
I only wish we had stayed longer to fully enjoy the horses and sauna rituals. Even the sauna details felt elevated — custom sauna hats embroidered with the Sibbjäns logo were waiting for guests. The hotel also thoughtfully provides Swedish wellies and raincoats for hiking the surrounding trails and coastline, which felt very fitting given Gotland’s ever-changing weather. Although, Gotland is known for being the “sunshine island” of Sweden

Visby and Gotland completely captured me, but Sibbjäns was the true highlight. It’s the kind of place that quietly redefines luxury — grounded in nature, simplicity, hospitality, and intention.
I already cannot wait to return during summer to experience the long evenings, the beach, and the newly added tennis courts