Kurhotel Skodsborg, Denmark’s original spa hotel

Kurhotel Skodsborg, Denmark’s original spa hotel declares 2024 The Year of the Sauna.

Drawing on its 125 years of traditional Nordic health and wellness - and the current buzz around saunas - Kurhotel Skodsborg launches a new Ultimate Stay package to celebrate its signature experience, SaunaGus.
SaunaGus is a sauna experience like no other. This Danish tradition is best described as an aromatherapy sauna set to music in which a Gusmester (mist master) uses a swirling towel to infuse the air with pure essential oils giving a mild scent that - combined with the heat - enhances relaxation. Every session ends with a dip in The Sound (the strait which forms the Danish–Swedish border) to juxtapose the extreme heat, awaken the senses and push guests’ physical and mental limits.

What sets SaunaGus apart from other sauna experiences is the Gusmester…
Bo Berlin, a seasoned Kurhotel Skodsborg Gusmester with six years’ experience, brings a wealth of aromatherapy knowledge to SaunaGus. Bo uses over 60 essential oils which he expertly blends to unlock healing and calming benefits. Bo recognizes SaunaGus as more than just a standard sauna experience, citing its ability to: aid digestion, the heat enhances blood flow to the digestive organs and modulates the gut microbiome*, improve skin health - stabilise the epidermal barrier function and increase hydration** - and boost the immune system  - increase white blood cell counts***.

Tania Bill Petersen, another of Kurhotel Skodsborg’s Gusmesters, channels her background in dance when leading a SaunaGus session. With the help of music and light, she creates a unique, almost theatrical experience. With graceful movements of her towel and fan, Tania distributes heat and carefully selected oils throughout the sauna to either enhance relaxation and promote mindfulness or energise and uplift.

Kurhotel Skodsborg’s one-night Ultimate Stay package is built on the early 19th century philosophies of Founder, Dr Carl Ottosen and his belief that the fundamental principles for a healthy life  boil down to: light, air, water, nutrition, exercise and rest. The package includes:

• An exclusive 60-minute SaunaGus session – Kurhotel Skodsborg’s signature spa experience - led by a Gusmaster (allowing enough time for three rounds of sauna and cold dipping)
• A 50-minute full-body de-stress massage
• Access to Kurhotel Skodsborg’s award-winning spa, offering an impressive 16 different cooling and warming experiences)and full access to all fitness classes  (must be booked in advance; T&Cs apply)
• Afternoon tea in the hotel’s lounge, The Lobby
• Three-course dinner with wine pairing at hotel restaurant, Brasserie Carl
• Breakfast in Brasserie Carl

The Kurhotel Skodsborg Ultimate Stay starts from DKK 3,050 (approx. £350) pppn in a shared standard double room.  Package to be booked seven days in advance, with cancellation deadline seven days prior to arrival. More information from +45 4558 5800 or email [email protected]

* Brain-gut peptides in sauna-induced hyperthermia; T G Jenssen, H H Haukland, P G Burhol; Acta Physiologica; 1988

 ** Effect of regular sauna on epidermal barrier function and stratum corneum water-holding capacity in vivo in humans: a controlled study; D Kowatzki, C Macholdt, K Krull, D Schmidt, T Deufel, P Elsner, J W Fluhr; Dermatology; 2008

***Effect of a Single Finnish Sauna Session on White Blood Cell Profile and Cortisol Levels in Athletes and Non-Athletes; Wanda Pilch, Ilona Pokora, Zbigniew Szyguła, Tomasz Pałka, Paweł Pilch, Tomasz Cisoń ; The journal of Human Kinetics 2013