Where historical charm meets island serenity in the heart of the Roslagen archipelago.
Villa Ekbacken, Marholmen


Villa Ekbacken is one of the seven characteristic, historical houses that form the core accommodation on the island of Marholmen, a beautiful sanctuary in Sweden’s Roslagen archipelago. Situated just an hour’s drive from both Stockholm and Arlanda Airport, Marholmen offers a rich history dating back to the early 1900s, originally conceived as a peaceful retreat.
The villa itself provides a private, charming, and flexible base for your island escape. Ideal for groups, families, or corporate kickoffs, Villa Ekbacken offers the self-catering independence of a private home combined with full access to the amenities of a renowned resort. While guests can enjoy the tranquility and unique character of their secluded villa, the entire island is their playground—from sea bathing and saunas to multiple restaurants and a celebrated spa (check current availability).
A stay at Villa Ekbacken is about embracing the authentic, historical character of the Swedish coast. It is about waking up to the stillness of the island, spending the day exploring the coastal paths or enjoying the warm bath house, and gathering for a memorable meal, whether cooked in your own kitchen or enjoyed in one of Marholmen’s welcoming dining rooms.
Why Stay at Villa Ekbacken, Marholmen?
Whether you are hosting a private gathering or seeking a secluded family holiday, Villa Ekbacken provides a unique blend of heritage and comfort.
Expect:
- Historic Private Accommodation: Rent an entire villa with a distinctive character, charm, and flair typical of the island’s 20th-century heritage.
- Flexible Living: The self-catering setup allows you to set your own pace, providing the perfect solution for family gatherings or conferences that desire privacy.
- Full Resort Amenities: Access to the extensive offerings of Marholmen, including the popular 7° Bath & Sauna area, multiple dining venues, and a range of year-round activities.
- Archipelago Serenity: Enjoy the unique tranquillity and stunning natural environment of a car-free island setting, easily reachable from Sweden’s major cities.
Itinerary Inspiration in West Sweden
We can personalise your stay and craft the perfect itinerary for you. Here are some examples of how we combine this accommodation with local experiences and give you a taste of the best.
Summer Road Trip in West Sweden
Coastal drives, archipelago ferries, paddle boarding, foraging and boutique stays—this West Sweden summer road trip blends nature, culture and freedom...
Savouring Swedish Serenity
Relax in a forest wellness lodge with yoga, forest bathing, sauna and herbal meals—Savouring Swedish Serenity is a mindful countryside escape.Explore More Options in Sweden
Let us craft your Swedish adventure, where refined design meets wild nature. From the iconic ICEHOTEL to tranquil forest cabins and city breaks in stylish Stockholm, we hand-pick stays and experiences that showcase Sweden’s unique charm. Go wildlife tracking in Lapland, forage with local chefs, or bask in the midnight sun on a private island. With our expert touch, your Swedish journey will be seamless, soulful, and utterly personal.
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A unique safari style retreat in southern Sweden where wild landscapes, design and fine dining meet within one of the Nordic region’s largest nature r...Bank Hotel
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Architecturally designed luxury cabins near Stockholm, blending high design with natureAbisko Mountain Lodge
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Camp Ripan
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Immerse yourself in unforgettable experiences, new adventures to explore.Pater Noster Lighthouse
The Lighthouse Master's residence transformed into an award-winning hotelNobis Hotel, Stockholm
A relaxed, classic, and elegant experience in the heart of StockholmWe did! Everything was truly wonderful! I think the Holman Husky Lodge was our favourite place. Beautiful accommodations, but best of all, wonderful people! Everyone was so friendly and accommodating, excellent food, we really enjoyed our time there. We also greatly enjoyed Bergen! Opus XVI was beautiful and we loved being able to walk to restaurants and bars and take in the sights. All of our drivers were punctual and friendly. The itinerary was full but not overfull.
Thank you so much! It was an epic trip, we are taking home wonderful memories!
We have loved it so much here that we have extended our stay and will come back to Bjornfjell and stay in one of their cabins until Jan 3 then we are staying in the igloo hotel the night of the 3rd. 😊We added a few excursions this week – we did the whale trip on the RIB boat (wow!), toured the igloo hotel (which is why we decided to book the last night!) and did the reindeer sleigh at Sorrisniva. You were so right, the bonfire excursion was incredible!!It has been an absolutely amazing trip!
Arctic Retreat was simply magical. Graham and his team were superb. Their entire focus was on ensuring we had an outstanding experience. The accommodation, setting and food were all excellent. The team, experienced professionals, each brought their own personal touch and local nuance. It was faultless. The dog sledging trip directly from Arctic Retreat was also superb. We would return to Arctic Retreat in a heartbeat.
Exceptional service throughout the entire planning and booking process – travel agencies don’t get any better than this. A brilliant, seamless experience matched by the holiday experience itself. Would recommend ‘Off the Map Travel’ to anyone considering booking for a Nordic experience ‘par excellence’.
We originally hired Off the Map Travel in 2020 to set up a trip to see the Northern Lights. That didn’t happen, thanks to COVID. But, we persisted and in March of 2023, we took a 16-day trip that included both Iceland and Norway. IT WAS MAGICAL! Off the Map took care of everything! We were pampered at every stage of our trip. The people they hired and the activities they planned added up to a trip that will set the standard for any we’ll ever take in the future. Alex and his team were fabulous! We recommend them without restraint!
Hello Lucy!! Kim and I had a fantastic time in Iceland! Probably one of my top 3 trips I’ve ever taken!
It was everything we asked for and you did a wonderful job coordinating it all so beautifully!!
Thank you very much and we will contact you again when we get ready to plan our trip to Norway and Lapland!
Fantastic trip to Svalbard which delivered the true Arctic experience we were hoping for. The hotels were excellent and the activities – dog sledding and snowmobile expedition were lead by first class guides.
Top tip! The champagne tasting in the world’s most northerly wine cellar in the exceptional Funken Lodge is not to be missed!
Amy was a great help with planning this trip. Our trip turned out amazing. I also was very grateful for Off the Map’s Front Desk service, which promptly handled an on the spot issue we had.
My family and I traveled to Sweden to see The Northern Lights in March of 2023. From the planning process to every detail of the trip, I could not have been more pleased with our experience. Alex was exceptional to work with. His guidance on the time of year, where to stay, activities to do and how to get to and from everything was spot on. I have never used a tour company before but thought a trip of this kind would be easier with some help. I am so glad that I did. The entire week was seamless and completely stress-free, allowing us to truly enjoy Sweden and our time together as a family. I will be recommending Off The Map travel to friends and family and will certainly be using them myself again in the future.
We really enjoyed our Norwegian adventure despite the -22 days! Unfortunately no real experience of viewing the Lights but we did capture a couple of images on our last night – too much cloud otherwise so lots of snow. We really enjoyed the husky lodge – not at all what we had tentatively imagined. Thanks for your assistance, maybe next time we will see the Lights in all their glory.
What an amazing trip we are having. It is incredible. Many many thanks for arranging such an incredible trip.
Off the Map Travel was great! Alex helped us plan the most amazing 10 day honeymoon to Iceland. He gave us great recommendations and was so patient with us during the planning process!





