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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