An accessible means to savor the allure of the Swedish countryside

Landet offers a convenient escape from urban life, allowing visitors to bask in the natural beauty and peaceful ambiance of the Swedish archipelago, an experience typically reserved for local residents. The name “Landet” is aptly chosen, as it translates to ‘countryside’ in Swedish.

This innovative hotel concept provides a sustainable, environmentally-conscious, and aesthetically pleasing haven for relaxation in the rural outskirts of Trosa, which is less than an hour away from Stockholm. Renowned Swedish architect Andreas Martin-Löf has lent his expertise to design Landet’s eco-friendly cabins, ensuring guests can fully unwind while immersing themselves in the picturesque surroundings.

Despite their modest size, the Landet cabins harbor grand aspirations. Their floor plans have been designed to accommodate 2-4 individuals seeking a fresh and immersive experience in the great outdoors. Thanks to the generous use of full-height glass sections and dual patios flanking the living room, these cabins exude an open and spacious ambiance, fostering a strong connection with the surrounding natural environment.

Every cabin is furnished to ensure a rejuvenating holiday experience, combining modern conveniences with a warm and inviting ambiance. The snug living room boasts a fireplace, a dining area, and a well-appointed kitchen. The bedroom is adorned with sumptuous bedding to provide a tranquil night’s rest, while the bathroom features heated floors, a soothing rain shower, and breathtaking panoramic views.

We contacted Umberto Garabello, one of the co-founders of Landet, to gain deeper insights into the project.

What was the inspiration or main insight behind the creation of Landet, and what drove you to develop such a concept?

Umberto Garabello:

“Growing up across a number of different cities and countries, the countryside has always been our go to place to slow down, rest and find fresh energy. When I moved to Sweden, I realised both how special the Swedish countryside is and how difficult it is to access, short of having an own home. So we set about building our idea of the “perfect getaway”: stunning location; maximum respect for the environment; and great attention to comfort and design.”

While initially situated in the countryside outside Trosa, Sweden, Landet aims for both national and international expansion. What kind of travelers are you hoping to attract with this project?

Umberto Garabello:

“We hope to get a mix of guests from near and far: residents of Stockholm and other big cities in the vicinity, who want a stylish and convenient country escape; and also the many visitors from abroad who come to Sweden, love Swedish design and the country’s way of life, and now have a way of experiencing more than just the capital city.”

Landet cabin offers a sustainable nature experience. Could you elaborate on the specific sustainability features you have focused on?

Umberto Garabello:

“Sustainability is really built into our concept from the foundations – quite literally. The entire project is build following what we call a “leave no trace” philosophy. The idea is that everything we have put in place, from the foundations to the water and sewage infrastructure, can be removed. So when the time comes, the site can be returned to exactly as it was – or perhaps even a little bit better! – than it was before we arrived.”

What criteria were employed in the selection of partners for materials and furnishings?

Umberto Garabello:

“We tried to find the right blend of classic Scandinavian design and more unusual, lively pieces from international designers. We were fortunate enough to work with some truly incredible companies which developed bespoke pieces for us: to name only two, Nordic Knots have created a unique rug for our cabins (based on an art piece by Welsh artist Breon O’Casey) and &Tradition have made a special edition of their iconic “Little Petra” armchair just for us. To see these creative minds at work and the result they produced, together, has been one of the most satisfying parts of the project.”

Has Landet cabin allowed you to explore especially innovative technological solutions? If the answer is yes, could you provide some examples?

Umberto Garabello:

“We have worked together with one of Sweden’s best modular homes provider, Husverket. With their help, we were able to find innovative answers to many problems which presented themselves: from enabling construction to our dimensions, to creating a floor surface which would be both seamless across the entire cabin, and strong enough to resist transportation by truck and crane; to clever storage solutions throughout.

Together with Elui, our partners for everything water and sewage, we designed a plumbing system which fits all our needs: sturdy enough to survive the Swedish winters; environmentally-friendly enough to meet the most stringent criteria, as we are in an area marked as the highest protection; and flexible enough to grow with us as we add more cabins (and be entirely removed when the time comes for our cabins to be moved).”

If you were to describe the key attributes of locations ideally suited to accommodate a Landet experience, what would those attributes entail?

Umberto Garabello:

“We favour locations which are naturally beautiful and unspoilt, not too far from urban areas and transport connections, and are surrounded by local activities and sights (from farm shops and interesting local businesses to sports and cultural offerings). We have a few of those lined up already, but are also on the lookout for more, both in Sweden and abroad.”