“Gård” is the Swedish word for homestead, and at Sälen Hotel Olarsgården you will feel at home, undoubtedly. This is a family business with a history that goes back to 1949, when the first hotel building was set up at Olarsgården.
One of today’s owners, Jonas Persson is a part of Sälen modern history as he has been involved in the ski business here since 1989. At the beginning, he worked as a chef at Olarsgården but went on to other establishments in the area before buying the hotel in 2017, returning as one of its current owners.
Vintage buildings with modern standard
Olarsgården has been expanded several times throughout the years. Despite that, it has kept its charm. Already at the approach you realize you have made the right choice reserving a room here. The main entrance is the same as 75 years ago. A small patio and a vintage door. This is everything but upscale and fancy. It’s a skier’s inn.
The reception and lobby bar is the heart of this establishment. It’s a natural gathering point for after ski, before dinner, after dinner. Anytime.
Surrounding the lobby, you will find several dining halls of different sizes. The atmosphere here is cozy, personal without being overdone.
21 Hotel rooms of different sizes meet your expectations
The hotel rooms stand up to a modern standard, every room in its own personal style. Nothing fancy, but meets your expectations. Sleeping, chilling. It works, and after all. It’s in the lobby bar you want to hang out, that’s your living room during your stay.
Olarsgården kitchen
The hotel’s own restaurant, Elgen has a reputation for serving food inspired by the local surrounding. On our stay, they served a traditional Swedish Christmas table.
Swedish Christmas table is a buffet of traditional dishes. You get everything from different herrings, variation of Salomon, cold and warm meat, candies and desserts. It’s tasty and worth trying. This is, however, something you only eat once a year.
Unfortunately, we did not get the chance to try out the well-spoken à la carte. Luckily, it might serve as our reason to come back to Olarsgården later this winter.
If you stay longer than one night, and it’s before Christmas, you need to leave for another restaurant for the second dinner as the Christmas table is their thing at this time of the year.
No worries, there are several nearby, so that is not a heavy task. Hotel breakfast carry everything you want, including American pancakes. During weekends, breakfast serving starts at 8.00am. Make sure you’re standing there sharp, to be on the slope when the lift opens at 9.00am.
If there is a center in Sälen, Olarsgården is in the middle
Olarsgården is located in the very center of Sälen, in the Lindvallen area. On a walking distance from Sälfjällstorget, the most genuine of centers you will find within Sälen resort. Here you will find more restaurants, hotels and ski shops.
From Olarsgården to the nearest ski lift is a 400 meters walk slightly uphill, so it’s doable by foot. As a fact, I would say that the center of Sälen is built around Olarsgården and Sälen has expanded like rings on water out of this bullseye.
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