Some favourite spots

A magical retreat, Villa Sjötorp is a Gothic seaside villa looking down on a wonderful seascape of small islands and peninsulas. The hotel and restaurant are located near the old resort village of Lyckorna in Ljungskile, about 45 minutes north of Gothenburg. Adjoining the main dining room is a covered terrace overlooking the bay and the island of Orust. Villa Sjötorp is part of the Taste of West Sweden scheme. Built in 1901 and turned, about seven years ago, into a 14-room hotel and restaurant, it's here you'll sink into a bygone era of gracious, casual living.

"At least once in life everybody should eat and drink to their heart's content", claims Bjertorp Slott, so why not check in for some indulgence? Meal times are a big part of this and the Taste of West Sweden accredited restaurant has collected ingredients from suppliers around the region, and has let the seasons influence the menu. The dining room can serve everything from romantic meals for two to dinners for up to 150 guests. A grand manor house, Bjertorp is said to be the last stately home built in Art Noveau style; it was completed in 1914 and now offers guests a stylish getaway, with today's luxuries, 110km north-east of Gothenburg.

With a magnificent view of the harbour, Grand Hotel Marstrand enjoys a prime location on Marstrand Island and offers food to match. Its Taste of West Sweden restaurant, Grand Tenan, is at the heart of the hotel and its à la carte menu, composed by chef Robert Maglia, offers classics such as Tenans´ crayfish and Africana. The four-star hotel dates back to 1892 when it was the summer residence of King Oscar II.

For dining in a pastoral setting make tracks to Qvänum Mat & Malt, occupying former farm buildings at Kvänum. The restaurant and conference facilities are housed in a renovated stone barn while the brewery, supplying in-house beer and schnapps, is found in the old cowshed. A café, plus self-catering and B&B accommodation are on site, too. Claes Wernerson attended Best of Culinary Sweden.