Årsdale Hotels

Pensionat Solgården: All you need

I didn't have any big expectations about this place as it was a booking because everything was fully booked in nearby Svaneke. All I knew was that it was a family run business which should mean some cosiness.

Solgården turned out to be the old Aarsdale School, centrally located in the village close to the bus stop, and generations of family members had indeed been pupils before it closed and the house was transformed to a pension. We got to stay in a "holiday camp" style annex, so common on Bornholm but this one was one of the better. We had en suite since we took this as a mid-Bornholm break with a bit of luxury for mucky cyclists previously in hostels. You can also pay less and have shared facilities. No TV (but there is one in a lounge) but everything was tip top in the room (great showers for road dirt!) and the only thing I can say is that there were some small spiders here and there but they are of course impossible to keep out when you have a whole forest outside your window. They never bothered us in the slightest. The room had a table with "wooden" arm chairs and a candle - all to make it cosy. The owners (mother and daughter) are very friendly and will do everything to make you feel welcome. After extraordinary Danhostel breakfasts, we felt this one was a bit "small" but that doesn't mean it left us hungry or wanting. I can understand that you cannot stuff your cupboards full in a seasonal establishment like this. There was a perfectly alright buffet with fresh fruit and all things you would expect. Just not that big a variety maybe.

The main building has a bar which is open until 23.30 in the evenings and this bar turned out to be frequented by locals too. Thus, you could sit and soak up the peculiar Bornholm accent and enjoy conversations about life. All this with Svaneke Bryghus' excellent ales. You can order food in the restaurant too but it has to be done before 20.00 and it has to be ordered an hour before you want it served. The food is typical Danish fare (which we suspected they sometimes got from the smokery chef, and why not in this small village) and comes with a great view of the little harbour and its birdlife and sun rises. Talking about birdlife, I have never seen as many swallows as in Solgården's garden in which you can also sit on sunny days, or even play garden games if you like.

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Related to: Family Travel, Beaches, Seniors
• Written August 30, 2005

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