What began as a dreamy retreat nestled in the Swedish wilderness has now unraveled into an international scandal involving abandoned animals, unpaid taxes, and 158 barrels of human waste.
Danish chef duo Flemming Hansen and Mette Helbæk, once lauded for their Copenhagen rooftop restaurant and their eco-forward vision, left behind their widely praised "forest resort" Stedsans in Halland, Sweden—only to reappear on the other side of the world, in Guatemala.
The couple had moved to Sweden in 2016, claiming to have "felt the call of the wild" after years in the bustling culinary scene of Copenhagen. Their venture, Stedsans in the Woods, quickly gained international fame. With 16 rustic cabins perched amid pristine nature, the resort drew in wellness seekers, influencers, and food lovers alike. Reviews described the space as "magical" and "enchanting luxury."
But behind the scenes, trouble was brewing.
An investigation by Swedish and Danish newspapers Dagens Nyheter and Politiken uncovered that Hansen and Helbæk had quietly disappeared late last year—just before Christmas—registering as living abroad and leaving Stedsans in disarray. What they left behind has shocked many: 158 barrels of human waste, wastewater flowing untreated into the forest, and abandoned animals, some of which reportedly died after being left outside in harsh conditions.
The retreat was officially declared bankrupt in March, with debts piling up not only in Sweden—where they reportedly owe 6 million SEK (around £470,000) to tax authorities—but also in Denmark, where their financial troubles began.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, the couple appeared unapologetic in a message posted to their website. “We came very far with Stedsans, but we also had to realise on the way that being soul-driven entrepreneurs on a mission in a country where taxes are some of the highest in the world and bureaucracy is relentless, it is an impossible task,” they wrote.
They added: “When you read this we have probably been declared bankrupt by the Swedish tax authorities. All we ever wanted was to be a part of creating a more beautiful planet.”
While Hansen and Helbæk have since launched a new hotel venture in Guatemala, questions remain—not just about the debts and environmental damage they left in their wake, but about the ethics of their retreat's once-celebrated ethos.
Their story, once a symbol of idyllic sustainability, now stands as a cautionary tale about the fine line between eco-tourism dreams and environmental irresponsibility.
.png)
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.