With no big holidays planned this year and a baby on the way, we felt it was time for a short break. Floating around in warm water with my big belly sounded like the perfect way to recharge and spend some quality time together before things get hectic.
We decided on a little spa getaway — and found that staying from Sunday to Tuesday was much cheaper than a weekend stay (makes sense, right?). We’ve loved our past visits to Ystad Saltsjöbad, but thought it was time to try something new. So we started browsing spa hotels nearby and came across Marienlyst Strandhotel.
Only about an hour’s drive from Copenhagen, this beachfront hotel caught our eye — especially since my boyfriend got nearly 50% off the booking through work. We booked a two-night stay including spa access and breakfast. Perfect.
Spa
The spa itself was lovely – there was a good mix of pools: one indoor, two infinity pools, and a large outdoor pool. Two outdoor jacuzzis were perfect for relaxing, and plenty of sunbeds were available both inside and out. Even though it was the holiday season, it never felt too crowded.
There were also several saunas, salt scrub stations, a salt cave, and the beach was just a few steps away if you felt like jumping into the sea after a steamy sauna session. Facility-wise, we were really happy!
The downside? You can’t use the spa whenever you want. You have to choose a 4-hour time slot when you book, and if you want more access, it’ll cost an extra 270 DKK per person per day per slot (they have 4 different time slots). So we stuck to our 15:00–19:00 slot, but it did feel limiting.
At Ystad Saltsjöbad Spa, I loved being able to pop in and out of the spa throughout the day – after breakfast, before dinner, even right before bed. At Marienlyst, we couldn’t even use the spa on the day of checkout without paying more, whereas Ystad lets you stay and soak until mid-afternoon even after checkout. That flexibility really makes a difference.
Food
Breakfast was included and featured a great Swedish-style buffet. The only thing missing for me was hard-boiled eggs (they only had soft-boiled), but I happily made up for it with some deliciously crispy bacon. 😄
Dinner was a bit of a mix-up. We booked a “Spa Stay” package and saw that you could book a table at the hotel restaurant as part of it. We assumed dinner was included, but it wasn’t. The wording was misleading: “included” referred to the reservation, not the meal. We stayed for dinner the first night (the vegetarian dish was actually amazing!), but on the second night, we wandered into town instead. A 15–20 minute walk brought us to some great, more affordable dining options.
What else to do
Since spa access is limited, here are some fun ways to spend the rest of your time at the hotel:
Casino
There’s a casino onsite (18+ with ID). We gave ourselves a budget of 500 DKK and had a fun night trying our luck at slots and blackjack. We lost it all, of course, but it was entertaining!
Games & Lounge Areas
The hotel had cozy corners and comfy couches where you could play board games, ping pong, or shuffleboard. We had fun trying a few different games and just relaxing.
Beach Games
In the garden, we found summer classics like Vikingespil (Kubb), Stigegolf, Petanque, and Cornhole. Great for some laid-back fun in the sun.
Walk alongside the beach
The hotel is right on the beach, and we loved taking a slow sunset walk. The sky lit up in beautiful shades of pink – Danish summer at its best. You can also take a dip in the sea if you’re braver than I am!
Explore Helsingør
Only a 15-minute walk from the hotel, Helsingør is full of charm. We had time to kill before our spa slot, so we explored the old town with its cute streets, historic houses, and great shopping street.
We also walked around Kronborg Castle, the famous Elsinore from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and definitely worth a visit if you haven’t been inside.
Hungry? Check out Værftets Madmarked – a cool street food hall by the castle with tons of great options.
We also popped by the Øresund Aquarium – small, affordable (90 DKK), and surprisingly fun. We enjoyed spotting all the local sea creatures of Øresund.
Tips
- Book early check-in: Regular check-in is 15:00 (same time your spa slot starts if you opted for 15-19 slot like us), and there was a huge queue. Paying ~300 DKK extra for 13:00 check-in was worth it – we could settle in and avoid the rush.
- Dine in the city: The hotel restaurant is nice but pricy. Helsingør has great spots within walking distance.
- Set a casino budget: We saw people blow 5,000 DKK in minutes. Set a budget, stick to it, and don’t let a fun night turn into a regretful one.
- Plan for downtime: If it rains and you’re waiting for your spa time, bring a book or some games to relax with indoors.
Final Thoughts
We had a really lovely stay – it gave us the recharge we were looking for. That said, I probably wouldn’t pay full price for it. But I just checked their website and they’re currently offering 50–60% off deals – so it’s worth waiting for a good offer!
Ystad Saltsjöbad Spa still holds a special place in my heart – you get more flexibility with spa access, a 3-course dinner is included, and it offers a more flexible and complete experience, plus lower prices on-site thanks to the currency difference.
That said, Marienlyst Strandhotel has its own charm – it’s closer to Copenhagen, has no bridge tolls, and gives you the option to explore Helsingør, which is absolutely worth visiting.
All in all, we’re super happy we went. We came home relaxed, and that was exactly the goal. Next time, we might just try a new spa – there are still so many to discover! 😊
