It’s worth noting that one of the best bits of the retreat – which will apply to any stay at Kurhotel Skodsborg – is just how attentive and encouraging the staff here are. Taking a dip in the sea could have been a daunting prospect, but Tania Biil Petersen – the practitioner who led our steam experience – is both supportive and informative, arming us with the tools we need to get into the water and reap the benefits.

The hotel is also a great place to stay for anyone who loves investing in their health and wellness; with its palatial architecture, bright white exterior and cosy Nordic aesthetic, it’s easy to understand why people have flocked here to reset and unwind for generations. Indeed, following the death of former owner King Frederick VII, doctor Carl Ottosen founded a sanatorium on the site, which became popular for its expertise in physiotherapy and preventative approach to health. Many of these services still exist to this day, with a physiotherapy clinic on site offering everything from massage to acupuncture. But it’s the spa, designed by Henning Larsen (the architects behind the Harpa concert hall in Reykjavík, Iceland) that really deserves all the attention. Alongside a 100 sq metre hydro pool, it boasts saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzis and a salt grotto in a bright, open space. It’s the perfect space for both locals from Copenhagen (the hotel is located just a 20-minute drive north of the city) and visitors alike to relax, unwind and enjoy some TLC.

“What I learned from two days of hot-cold therapy at a Danish wellness retreat”