This spring’s winner for Hidden Gem, Lodgings Edition: The Monica in the town of Ærøskøbing on the Danish island of Ærø. The three-room guest house is the work of Monica Conradsen, who serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the kitchen, hangs bed linens to dry in the herb garden, and runs a well-appointed shop next door. Join us for a look.
Photography via The Monica.
Above: The hotel is situated on a cobblestone street in Ærøskøbing. Next door is the hotel shop, housed in a former butcher shop. Monica had the original iron window restored and stocks the store with well-designed ceramics, textiles, and essentials (like Mason Pearson hairbrushes) she sources herself.
Above: The hotel’s cheerful front door.Above: The entry.Above: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tea are prepared by Monica and served in the open kitchen (or, if you like, in the garden).Above: Monica sets the table with each guest in mind, “with evident attention to detail and promising little surprises,” according to the hotel website.Above: Colorful built-ins, a long communal table, and an ad-hoc chandelier.Above: In another corner: a wood fire.Above: The communal sitting area.Above: One of three guest rooms, painted a sunny yellow.Above: Guest Room 1 is fitted with collected furnishings and bed linens by Geismars, founded in 1866.Above: Guest Room 2. Monica arranges each of the three guest rooms with fresh flowers, art, and “a selection of literature” for guests.Above: Beds are made up the Scandi way.
Above: A tabletop vignette.Above: The entryway is stocked with Wellington boots for use on rainy days.Above: The terrace, with potted garden.Above: And out to the herb garden.Above: The third guest room has views of—and direct access to—the garden.Above: Monica and her small team wash all of the linens in a sunny yellow laundry room and hang them to dry in the garden—no chemicals or perfumes, they say, just fresh air.
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