Maryhill Estate is the latest project from the ESS Group, who have transformed the former Örenäs Slott into a countryside resort, where Scandinavian leisure meets high-concept design.
It oozes ESS Group style: stylish, playful, and full of detail. The estate is divided into two parts: the historic Hill House and the newly built Sugar Club. We stayed in the newer part of the estate, Sugar Club.
This is a conference resort packed with activities. Not quite Gleneagles in Scotland, but by Swedish standards, it is genuinely impressive. Padel courts, a tennis court, table tennis, a billiard table, and games scattered around the property.
We only stayed for one night, our goal was the restaurant Smörtaxen, a 15-minute drive, not the resort itself. This is not a full review of the property. We were just regular guests passing through. But honestly? One night was enough.
Sugar Parlour Suite
Suite 259, also known as the Sugar Parlour Suite. The room itself was excellent and had that wow factor on arrival—but that faded fast.
It was 14 degrees Celsius outside and 29 degrees inside the room. The suite has floor-to-ceiling windows facing outwards, and with the sun beaming in all day, turning into a greenhouse.
Like stepping into a sauna. Yes, it is a spa resort, but there are limits. Forget air conditioning—even though their website says it is included. We could technically “control” the room temperature, but that was clearly just a placebo setting. Spoiler: nothing happened.
We followed the usual script, down to reception, met with the classic “I know nothing.” They sent someone from maintenance. We were told the issue would be fixed while we were out.
We returned full of hope. Instead, we opened the door and it was still warm—now with a smoky scent lingering in the air.
View from the Sugar Parlour Suite
The smell of burnt wood turned out to be a theme across the estate. Our room was especially smelly. Not in a “someone forgot their gym bag” kind of way, but in a full-on “campfire chic” disaster.
As if someone decided the resort experience needed a permanent scent of damp forest fire. I get it—fires are cosy. But maybe not when they cling to your clothes, your lungs, and your will to live. And let us be clear: burnt wood is not exactly healthy. Time to rethink the ambience. Gas fires exist for a reason.
Communication? Good luck. There is no phone in the room, so calling reception is not an option. When you speak to them in person, they say “we will call you”—to your mobile, of course—but they never do.
Try calling them yourself and you end up in a press 1 for reservations, press 2 for absolutely nothing helpful. It is like trying to reach your internet provider—except you are already in the building.
The front desk exists, you just cannot reach it. It is all part of the modern illusion, just like the room’s climate control system.
The resort is clearly geared towards conference guests—and what happens at a conference, well… it stays at the conference hotel. Except this time, someone took notes.
★ A quick tip: Eat breakfast early. Aim for 7–8 a.m. After that, expect crowds.
