A new hotel has been created on Sweden’s remote Hamneskär island, which is home to the famous Pater Noster lighthouse. It is on the site of the former 19th-century lighthouse master’s home on the rocky isle, offering a perfect view of the wild surroundings.
The tiny island of Hamneskär is located off Marstrand on the Swedish west coast. It got its name because the extremely hazardous waters surrounding the island inspired seafarers to read the Lord’s Prayer – Pater Noster in Latin – when their ships approached the dangerous reefs. The lighthouse was constructed in 1868 and named Pater Noster as a tribute to the sailors’ prayers.
Although the island was considered uninhabitable, a house was built for the lighthouse master, his family, and staff. For almost 110 years, generations of lighthouse keepers lived with their families in this extreme environment, caring for the lighthouse and rescuing shipwrecked sailors, creating a unique and isolated society of its own. Swedish design agency Stylt has now transformed the lighthouse master’s old home, creating nine guest rooms accommodating up to 18 guests, along with a restaurant, bar, and outdoor café.
Guests arrive by rib boat from Marstrand or Gothenburg, and are offered back-to-nature pursuits such as sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, and meditation in the lighthouse itself. Additionally, guests can indulge in cookery lessons and short story writing; the quiet ‘gunpowder cabin’ serves as an ideal writing den. Deep-sea fishing and cooking the catch provide further unique experiences.
“During my 30 years within the hospitality business, I have rarely come across such a unique destination,” says Stylt founder, Erik Nissen Johansen. “It’s all there – the remote location, the fantastic nature, the extreme weather conditions, the thrilling history – and great hospitality with a dash of roughness and low-key luxury.”
For further information, please visit Pater Noster’s website here.
