Pater Noster – a home on the horizon
By Malin Norman | Photos: Erik Nissen Johansen | Video: Pater Noster
On a remote island along Sweden’s west coast sits a red lighthouse with over 150 years of history. Pater Noster is now an award-winning design hotel and a culinary destination, with gastronomy deeply rooted in the location. Here, you can feel the wings of history and taste the flavours of the sea – but it is also a place where art, architecture and nature meet, and where all your senses are amplified.
The legendary lighthouse Pater Noster used to guide sailors for more than 150 years. Located on the small island Hamneskär, off Sweden’s west coast, the 19th century lighthouse keeper’s residence has been reimagined as a stylish nine-room hotel, where guests come to unplug and experience the raw beauty of the sea.
For many, spending time on a secluded island is pure luxury. Pater Noster is elevating this to an all-inclusive experience with transport, food and activities catered for, yet with genuine personal service, and sleeping no more than 22 guest at a time. As of last year, families and groups can also book their own residence – for even more privacy.
The 20-minute boat ride from Marstrand is part of the experience; a mental transition where your pace changes. “It’s a place for the senses, not a traditional resort,” emphasises Mirja Lilja Hagsjö, co-founder and CEO. “On the island, you will experience nature and tranquillity, whilst actually being in the present. Regardless of season and weather, it brings a sense of calm.”
From king of lighthouses to award-winning hotel
A windswept and exposed island, sailors have long feared the waters surrounding Hamneskär. Hence, the lighthouse Pater Noster – the king of lighthouses – was eventually built in 1868. In fact, Pater Noster is Latin for Our Father, a prayer that has been repeated by sailors countless times before the ships dared to approach the island.
Generations of lighthouse families lived on the island, operating the lighthouse and supplementing their livelihood with fishing and small-scale cultivation. Together, the families created a community in harmony with the sea, the weather and the surrounding nature. Decommissioned in 1977, the lighthouse no longer serves an official function. However, it remains a cherished landmark, symbolising guidance, inspiration and a sense of direction in life.
After careful renovation, the team behind the hotel opened the door to the former lighthouse keeper’s home again in 2021. Its secluded setting and history make for an unforgettable experience. “As the three wooden houses were home to the lighthouse keepers and their families, you will get a real feeling for what life was like here,” explains Lilja Hagsjö. “The lighthouse and surrounding buildings had a purpose and they carry their story. This is history lived, not staged.”
Since its opening, Pater Noster is considered one of the world’s foremost design hotels, with awards including World’s Best Hotel Concept and the Grand Tourism Prize (Stora Turismpriset). The nine rooms, all with beautiful sea views, are individually decorated with a homely mix of hand-picked antiques, local vintage finds and artwork.
“We have guests from all over the world; couples, families, celebrities and their friends – but what happens on the island, stays on the island,” smiles Lilja Hagsjö. “This is one of the world’s most paparazzi-unfriendly places, so many guests appreciate the privacy they get here.”
Culinary destination with food inspired by the sea
The culinary experience is one of the main reasons to visit Pater Noster. Under the guidance of head chef Johan Bengtsson and with high-quality local produce in focus – including ingredients from the lighthouse keeper’s garden – the kitchen team draws inspiration from the sea and creates delicacies shaped by the place and the seasons.
Back in the days, the kitchen was crucial for the families living here, and the team maintains the importance, for instance by inviting Michelin-star chefs and the likes of Linnea Jarnerot, winner of Sweden’s Master Chef 2025. Guests can also choose where to enjoy their meals; some want the sea as a backdrop, whilst others prefer the lighthouse master’s living room, for instance.
“The goal is to give our guests more than just a good meal; we want to give them a new experience and knowledge,” says Lilja Hagsjö. “Our head chef is also a marine biologist and professional diver. His knowledge and expertise on food from the ocean results in unique menus with ingredients such as seaweed, which is a big part of our menu as a flavour enhancer.”
In the historical wine cellar, which used to function as a food cellar for the lighthouse families, Pater Noster hosts exclusive Champagne and wine tastings. The knowledgeable sommelier and co-founder Anders Rasmussen has hand-picked wines and Champagne of the highest quality. Guests can also try the island’s own beer, Pater Noster, a lager brewed by Vega Brewery in Gothenburg.
Not surprisingly, last year Pater Noster was named winner in the category The Special Ones at the Culinary Hotel Awards, which celebrates extraordinary hotel experiences that elevate Sweden’s position on the international hotel map.
Where art, architecture and nature meet
Hamneskär is a nature reserve and sustainability is crucial, with the utmost respect for the environment and quality rather than quantity at the core of Pater Noster’s operations – something that guests will also learn more about during a stay.
In 2024, Pater Noster became the world’s first sponsor of Green Cubes. This is a pioneering Greentech initiative from Hexagon subsidiary R-Evolution. The following year, the team was awarded Sustainability Step of the Year in the Gothenburg region.
“Just as the lighthouse has been a beacon for seafarers for over a century, we want to be a beacon for climate action, by raising awareness and taking concrete steps towards a more sustainable future,” says Lilja Hagsjö. “One of our missions is also to make sure that guests leave with more knowledge about the sea than when they arrived. We give the ocean a voice.”
The island also hosts exhibitions with a focus on nature and oceans, such as Art & Science of Water in collaboration with art gallery Up On Walls, which includes work by internationally renowned fine art photographers Lara Zankoul (Lebanon) and Christy Lee Rogers (USA) – the dining room features an underwater photograph by Christy Lee Rogers, for instance, marking the start of art on the island. The exhibition at Pater Noster changes every year.
Within close proximity of Pater Noster is the island Tjörn, which is the municipality where Hamneskär belongs. Pater Noster is part of the art initiative Tjörn – Island of Art, a concept that offers visitors a cultural experience in a magnificent natural setting. It includes Pater Noster with its outdoor photo art exhibitions, the Nordic Watercolour Museum in Skärhamn with contemporary watercolour art, and Skulptur i Pilane with world-famous sculptures including the 14-metre-high sculpture Anna by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa – who gazes protectively over Pater Noster. Guests can combine art tours and workshops in the three destinations – a perfect day excursion, with the opportunity to enjoy both art and nature.
Without a doubt, the Pater Noster lighthouse continues to stand proudly through the changing seasons and shifting weather – a meeting place for art, architecture and nature.
The world-famous 14-metre-high sculpture Anna by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa can be seen at Skulptur i Pilane. Photo: Peter Lennby
The Nordic Watercolour Museum in Skärhamn showcases contemporary watercolour art. Photo: Per Pixel Petersson
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• Spring weekend escape, 10 April – 5 June
To celebrate the opening of the season, Pater Noster offers a weekend package for those who want to stay longer, with time to deepen the experience and follow the rhythm of the island.
• Taste of Bohuslän, 17-18 April
Star chefs including winner of Sweden’s Master Chef 2025, Linnea Jarnerot, will visit Pater Noster in April – for an exciting meeting between history, place and contemporary times.
• Lisa Miskovsky concert, 28 July
When summer is at its most vibrant, Pater Noster transforms into a magical music scene with one of Sweden's most appreciated singer-songwriters, Lisa Miskovsky.
• Lobster package, 21 September
Lobster fishing has a long tradition on Pater Noster, with the black gold being a welcome addition for the lighthouse families. Experience how tradition meets adventure in the archipelago.
• Nordic Watercolour Museum exhibitions: Open year-round
• Finnish Picture Book Illustration (8 Feb – 19 Apr) – Contemporary illustration celebrating visual storytelling, imagination and emotion.
• Asger Jorn & Per Kirkeby (10 May – 6 Sep) – Major summer exhibition of watercolours and drawings by two giants of Danish post-war art.
• Britta Marakatt-Labba (27 Sep 2026 – 24 Jan 2027) – A landmark exhibition revealing rarely shown works on paper by the internationally acclaimed Sámi artist.
• Skulptur i Pilane season highlights: 14 May – 27 Sep, scale anniversary exhibition celebrating 20 years of contemporary sculpture in an ancient cultural landscape.
• Open-air concert (27 Jun) – As part of the Bohuslän Chamber Music Festival, classical music meets sculpture and nature.
For more information and updates on upcoming events, check Pater Noster’s website.
Pater Noster is open from April to November, with opening hours depending on the weather. You can also visit for the day and explore art, visit the lighthouse, enjoy a lunch in the sun, and go for a dip in the sea.
During July and August, the summertime café is open as well.
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