Huus Uelvesbüll

Sometimes, it doesn’t take much to let go of everything. Often the best way to do it is with as few distractions as possible. Here’s how: Settle into a comfortable beach chair, prepare a cool drink or a steaming cup of tea depending on the weather, and let your gaze wander over the marsh landscape of Schleswig-Holstein: Grazing sheep, dykes, meadows and fields. This recipe for slowing down works wonderfully in the garden of Huus Uelvesbüll, which stands in a secluded location on the Eiderstedt peninsula on the North Sea coast. The old Frisian house is 120 years old and was originally inhabited by carpenters. Back then, it was still a cottage, which was later extended into a country house with a thatched roof, which suits it extremely well. Following its restoration in 2017, it now houses three very similar vacation apartments. The interiors are pared-back and Scandinavian inspired with lots of bespoke carpenter-made furniture, muted colors and a mix of solid oak and glass. The building itself offers the charm of exposed beams, gabled windows and thatched dormers. All the apartments have open views into the distance. The mini wellness area is shared and houses a sauna and relaxation room. Leaving the relaxing comfort of the house, you can hop on your bike and pedal along the dykes or explore the twelve-kilometer-long sandy beach of St. Peter-Ording with its salt marshes, dunes and mudflats. At the harbor in the middle of Husum, the town close by, you can watch the passing of the tides. But even if you’re on a mission to relax and want to spend your vacation doing nothing but enjoying this wonderful house, you won’t go wrong.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• Each apartment has its own outdoor area with garden furniture, sun loungers and possibly the most comfortable, deeply cushioned beach chair in the area.
• The Art Nouveau stove in the “East” apartment and the antique Swedish tiled stove in the “West” apartment—with a wing chair right next to it, to curl up in with a good book
• The emphasis here is on high-quality mattresses and down comforters—because nothing is more important than a good night’s sleep when relaxing.
• When you come back with cold toes after a windy trip to the beach, nothing is nicer than the underfloor heating in the bathroom.
• You can travel light—whether it’s spices, coffee, board games or books, the hosts have thought of pretty much everything.
• The original brick floor in warm red in the living area of the west-facing apartment
• Watching the sun go down behind the dyke
• The chill-out area in the small spa—not only can you cool off here with a view out of the large panorama windows, it also offers an additional retreat for morning meditation, for example.
• Snuggle up and get comfy! Sheepskins, woolen blankets and indirect light make the rooms cozy and warm.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• The apartments are between 45 and 150 square meters in size and offer space for two to six guests—more people on request.
• They can be booked individually or in combination, depending on your party.
• Laundry can be washed and dried in a shared utility room.
• There is a charging station for electric cars in the parking area of the house.
• The house bicycles are easy to use, e-bikes can be rented, and getting a good blast of fresh air on the dyke is a confirmed mood enhancer.
• Sauna and shower towels are available, as well as various aromas for infusion and wooden buckets for Kneipp style cold water therapy.
• Excursions include the Westerhever lighthouse, the wonders of the tidal flats, sandbanks, and migratory birds on a mudflat hike or just soaking up the harbor vibes in cozy coastal towns.
• Children’s highchair, baby bed or extra bed are provided. There is also a sandpit in the garden for younger guests.