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Conversation with Teva Tiensuu, General Manager at The Falcon Hotel, Bornholm

Every summer, dontt.dk publishes our big guide to Bornholm. We highlight new places to discover as well as classic favorites we return to year after year. Among them is Melsted Badehotel (read our interview with them here) – and, of course, The Falcon Hotel in Sandvig.

The Falcon Hotel has long been established as one of the island’s most distinctive and beloved places to stay. This historic boutique hotel in Sandvig is all about adventure and beautiful surroundings. It’s a place that works just as well for a cozy date night as for families with kids exploring the island – somewhere you can start the day with a good book in the lounge or head out to discover the dramatic cliffs of Hammerknuden.

The hotel is open year-round and continues to evolve – both as a base for Bornholm’s many experiences and as a gathering spot for locals and visitors alike. Driving that development is Teva Tiensuu, General Manager at The Falcon Hotel, Bornholm, who has roots in Canada, France, and now Bornholm.

We spoke with Teva Tiensuu about the spirit of adventure, the hotel’s ambitions, and what new plans are in store for 2025.

Teva, how are you looking forward to the new season?

“We’re really excited. It’s shaping up to be an interesting season. We’ve built a strong team and improved the facilities, including a new pétanque court and sauna. Everything is running better than ever. We’re also noticing a shift – we already have twice as many bookings as we did at this time last year. People are planning their trips well in advance, which is a really good sign for the whole island and something we feel a big responsibility for.”

How would you describe the hotel to someone who’s never been?

“It’s a unique experience – genuinely cozy. Adventure is at the heart of the hotel. Staying here should feel like an adventure, but without losing that sense of warmth and home. There’s always something to look at, but it’s not just for show – it has to feel lived-in. We want to be the base for guests to head out and explore. There should be room for everyone – we can do the full five-course dinner level, but kids should also feel right at home.”

You have a pretty unique journey to getting here. How does your own story connect with the hotel?

“I worked with Mette (editor’s note: Mette Tiensuu, founder of The Falcon Hotel) when she started the hotel – she’s my aunt. I gradually got more involved, and when the hotel was sold, I was offered the chance to stay on and take responsibility for it. I was both happy and proud to accept. I’ve bought a house in Allinge – it’s a big part of my life now. I was born in Canada, grew up in France, and ended up on Bornholm because of The Falcon. I’ve never regretted it.”

What role does the location play in the hotel and the guest experience?

“It’s huge, of course. We’re right in the middle of one of the island’s most beautiful areas—close to Hammerknuden and Hammershus. The hotel sits on the cliffs with views of the Baltic Sea. We have several different gardens, a fire pit, swings. It’s a lively place all year round.”

Tell us a bit about the restaurant—what can guests expect?

“We’re staying true to our concept – very honest and accessible. You know, ‘peel-your-own-shrimp and rosé’, and in the evening we offer a solid à la carte menu. We have a lot of local staff – we’ve built a stable team over the past three years, and we’re really proud of that. It’s an area where we’ve truly grown.”

What does the future look like for The Falcon? Any new plans or projects?

“We’ve put a lot of effort into developing what we can offer for companies. We’ve already hosted many meetings and conferences. It was important for us to get really good at that. We see big potential in connecting the experience here to something people can take back with them to their work. And of course, sustainability is a key focus. We’re working on finding our own approach – but it’s definitely something we’re prioritizing.” (You can read more about Falcon’s conference options here.)

You’ve pretty much gone local by now – what would you personally recommend people experience on Bornholm this year?

“There’s just so much, it’s hard to single things out. But Ekkodalen is amazing – wild nature and a really nice place to eat. And then of course the island’s cliffs, from Allinge all the way around. You just don’t find that anywhere else. The Rø Plantation area is also great. And then there’s Louisekroen in Bølshavn, the walk at Helligpeder, or the bird of prey show – you can tell I could go on forever, right?”

Og husk – du kan finde vores samlede Bornholm-guide på dontt.dk/bornholm, hvor vi deler både nye tips og vores klassiske favoritter som Melsted Badehotel og The Falcon Hotel.

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