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Melsted Badehotel is one of those places on Bornholm we return to year after year in our dontt.dk guide. The location is something you simply have to experience—right on the waterfront at idyllic Melsted Strand, with views of the Baltic Sea and the island’s distinctive granite cliffs.

The hotel first opened in 1932 in an eye-catching white functionalist building that still exudes style and history, even after a careful renovation and modern update.

As tradition dictates, we spoke with Ajaja Kofoed-Nørgaard from Melsted Badehotel about the outlook for the season. Under the ownership of Eline Halborg-Bendtsen, the historic Bornholm hotel has seen remarkable development, with its heritage thoughtfully preserved and elevated into a modern, exclusive setting.

Eline Halborg-Bendtsen & Ajaja Kofoed-Nørgaard

Ajaja, how has the season started for you?

“We’ve gotten off to a great start. When we spoke in May, I mentioned we already had many bookings in the diary, and thankfully, that momentum has continued. We have a lot of returning guests.

We’re looking forward to a calm year — in the sense that this is my third season. Much of the foundation is in place. I know what to expect, and we’ve fine-tuned all the little details we discussed three years ago.

That said, we’re not resting on our laurels. It gives us the freedom to think creatively and make even better use of the facilities we have.

We’ve hosted caretaker retreats, yoga retreats, and EMS training, all of which were a big success. We plan to do even more of these activities. Plus, we now have a sauna that guests can enjoy after a refreshing dip.”

If you had to describe the hotel to someone who has never been here?

“I’d like to brag a little and mention that it’s no coincidence we’ve been named the best seaside hotel on the islands and in Zealand. We stick to a very classic style, but we’ve definitely taken it up a notch — in terms of service, the restaurant, and the interior design.

It’s beautiful, comfortable, and welcoming. There shouldn’t be too much noise or distraction. Once you check in, you basically don’t need to go anywhere else. It’s all about relaxing, the water, nature, and everything around. Light, neutral tones.

There are plenty of opportunities to explore. Everything is within walking distance — beautiful nature experiences and the town of Gudhjem nearby.

We also offer bikes and kayaks to support that. Pétanque and croquet too — so there’s plenty of entertainment.”

What role does the location between Gudhjem and Melsted play in your daily life and guests’ experience?

“It’s simply the best location on Bornholm. So it plays a huge role.

From the very beginning, it was important for us to have strong local roots. We maintain close collaborations with our neighbors: Madkulturhuset, guided foraging tours, Baltic Sea Glass with its art glass, and Store Badedag, which is not only for our guests but also for the local community. We are deeply engaged with the local area because we need each other.”

How do you work with the seasons — how close are you to being open year-round? It’s always a hot topic on Bornholm.

“More and more people are realizing there’s a lot happening at both ends of the season—from Easter to the autumn holidays. This gives us the opportunity to stay open longer. We will never be open all year round, but there’s no doubt that this will evolve over time.”

What does the future hold for Melsted Badehotel — any new plans, dreams, or projects?

“We will focus on further developing the guest experiences. It’s a luxury to be able to pay attention to both the big and small details. We’re also focusing on sustainability — continuously adapting to improve wherever we can. I’m looking forward to sharing more about that later.”

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