The Danish coast’s best-kept secret: Marienlyst Beach Hotel's old-world charm is well worth the visit

Perched right on the soft, sandy shores of the Øresund Strait, Hotel Marienlyst offers guests a front-row seat to Denmark’s coastal beauty. In fact, you can stroll straight from your room onto the beach, watch ferries glide past, or simply unwind in a wicker chair on your water-facing balcony with the sea breeze as your soundtrack.

During the 19th century, Copenhagen’s elite traded the city heat for fresh sea air making the trip up north to Helsingør. Capitalising on the town's rising status as a summer playground and inspired by German wellness retreats of the era, Marienlyst opened its doors in 1861. High society arrived early: Prince Hans, brother to King Christian IV, summered in Room 15 for several years in a row, and later, Alexander III of Russia lunched here, cementing Marienlyst’s royal reputation

Celebrities have continued to flock to the hotel over the years. In fact, Denmark’s national football team has called it home for pre-match stays since 2008. Yet come evening, the hotel’s intimate nooks, candlelit bars and stretch of private beach feel tailor-made for lovebirds seeking a romantic escape.

Below, senior beauty editor Josefin Forsberg shares highlights from her 48-hour stay – from savouring seasonally dictated dishes to dipping her toes in the crystal clear sea.

There's a certain old-world charm to Marienlyst. Yes, some of it is owed to the rich history of the hotel – which has served eager seaside visitors with more than 160 years of hospitality – but even as it's shifted and changed throughout the years, the modernisations feel meticulously done to preserve this timeless appeal.

Today, the hotel boasts 322 rooms, including two top-floor sea-view suites Hamlet and Ophelia – aptly named after Kronborg Castle, often considered the real-life counterpart to Shakespeare’s Elsinore. They're styled in stately beach-side fashion with high ceilings and large windows designed to make the most of the impressive view. Because yes, splurging on a Superior Sea-View Room with uninterrupted ocean panoramas is highly recommended here.

As for the details, they're debonair with seafaring-inspired knickknacks like antique compasses and spyglasses nestled next to ceramic lamps featuring a Japanese floral motif. The floors run in a dark herringbone wood with plush rugs and the robin's egg blue velvet headboard helms one of the softest mattresses known to mankind. Details that undoubtedly will help you feel at home away from home.

When staying at Marienlyst Beach Hotel, you're spoiled with options for a nice eatery. The culinary lineup covers everything from fine dining to laid-back brasserie vibes and (not counting the many cafés and bars), there are three main locations on site for a bite: 1861, Restaurant Isabell and Rory's Bistro & Bar – all with their own distinct twists on traditional seaside fare.

Take 1861, for example. Named for the hotel’s birth year, 1861 serves Nordic-French dishes inspired by the sea, forest and fields just beyond the doorstep. The menu changes every two months to showcase peak-season ingredients (yes, they’ll even skip truffles if they’re not up to their exacting standards), and sommeliers rigorously test wine pairings – like a perfectly balanced yuzu and lobster duet – well before each menu rollout,

Rooted in Danish tradition but with a fresh, lively twist, Isabell's is a generous brasserie where local ingredients, vibrant seafood, and seasonal vegetables take centre stage. Serving up a casual lunch Monday to Friday, as evening falls, the atmosphere shifts, welcoming groups of friends, couples, and special celebrations alike; you can settle in for a well-composed dinner (don't miss the oysters and the restaurant's signature Scandinavian take on a steak tartar) or, for something more immersive, book a spot at the Chef’s Table for a curated tasting experience. If you're visiting on a Sunday, their indulgent brunch (paired with seaside views and home-made Nutella) might just be the highlight of your stay.

Finally, there's Rory’s, tucked at the heart of the hotel. By day, it channels the charm of a Parisian brasserie, serving light lunches like chèvre chaud and crème brûlée. By evening, it transforms into a spirited cocktail bar. Sink into the lounge with board games, pool tables or shuffleboard, and don’t miss their inventive menu featuring a tarte tatin-inspired tipple featuring clarified milk and a biting take on a spicy margarita.

A relatively recent addition and just a stone’s throw from reception and the beach, Marienlyst’s Vinothek is the perfect place to kick off your evening. Settle in with a glass of their own Nessa rosé or Dunesse Champagne alongside a selection of salami, olives, and cheeses, and soak up the sommeliers' expertise as they walk you through the stories behind every bottle. Whether you pop in for an “after work” glass or book a themed tasting for friends, you’ll leave with new favourites – and perhaps a few bottles to take home.

Marienlyst Pool Club spans multiple levels with panoramic views of the Sound and Kronborg Castle. Inside, unwind in the heated pool, spa and sensory rooms; outside, embrace guided sauna sessions throughout the day. Not staying overnight? Day-spa bookings include robes, slippers and towels, so you can just arrive, slip into leisure mode, and soak up the seaside serenity.

While you could happily spend your entire stay on-site, Helsingør’s fairytale charm beckons. Take a Shakespearean stroll to Kronborg Castle (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), wander through the rustic halls of Værftets Madmarked in the former shipyard, and explore Kulturværftet’s cultural hub just steps from the hotel. For a taste of old-world Denmark, visit the Skibsklarerergaarden museum or climb the ramparts for postcard-perfect harbour views