My fiance and I stayed here for one night the weekend following Valentine's Day, as a quick trip to Santa Ynez wine country. Most hotels in the area were booked due to a bike tour that weekend, so we were lucky to get a room anywhere. This place actually turned out to be ideal because it is located right in the town of Solvang (which is like a real-life version of Santa's village with it's classic Danish architecture and even has a Christmas store open year round). You can walk to many restaurants and shops, and most importantly for us, it's located just a few minutes from some of the best wineries in the area: Sunstone, Kalyra, etc.

It's been a while since we've stayed in a place like this - motel style, nothing fancy, hasn't been renovated since the Carter era, and definitely caters to an older, less demanding crowd. That said, we really enjoyed our stay. We arrived late in the evening, and the woman behind the desk (who looked like she's also been there since before Carter was in office) was very helpful and had a great curmudgeonly sense of humor.

The hotel is also built in the Danish style (dark wood, white paint, A frame construction) which makes it very appealing from the outside. However the room interiors are decided American and not quite as charming. Our room at first seemed kind of dingy - the decor is all very outdated and the rug was hideously bright green- but everything was comfortable, clean and well-maintained. We had booked just a regular King room, but ours also came with a roomy kitchenette area, vanity area with sink, large closet space and relatively modern bathroom/shower. Plus the room itself had a fireplace, two lazy boy chairs, and a lengthy balcony overlooking the pool and the town of Solvang beyond that. You could tell that though the furnishings were older, they were lovingly cared for. This is the type of place that feels family-run and not corporate at all. In the end we were very pleased with our room and hotel choice in general.

They offer free continental breakfast in the morning (juices, danishes and fruit) in the main lobby area. Check out is the old-fashioned way - you have to go to the front desk and return your keys.

All in all, for the price (we paid around $150/night) and the location, I'd definitely recommend this motel. If you want a typical bed and breakfast, or looking to stay in a luxe hotel, then you'll be disappointed here. However, if you are just looking for a reasonably priced place in Solvang with Danish charm that is convenient to shops/restaurants and a short drive from great wineries, then Svendsgaard Lodge is perfect for you.

We just came back from a mid-week stay in Solvang at this hotel. For the price it was excellent and a great location - we could walk everywhere we needed to go. The rooms were large and clean, no problems there. The other couple we went with had a room that faced the main street and complained of noise but we were in the back and never heard it. They also have wireless internet in the lobby and most of the rooms.

BUT there was one problem: at exactly 10am breakfast closes - they take everything away and actually kick you out from the lobby to clean it (spraying cleaner on the tables where you are eating then telling you to leave). There was no where to go at 10:01 to eat. They also insist on NOT letting you help yourself to the coffee, OJ, etc. A bit annoying.

We booked this hotel last minute to stay in Solvang. It has a good location, being right at the end of the strip. The rooms were very basic, but clean. Unfortunately, our room smelled of mold very strongly, which brought our opinion down. All the rooms face into the swimming area, which could be a bit noisy, though they kick everyone out around 9pm. The front desk staff seemed fine, but gave little effort at interaction. This is definitely a two-star or below hotel.

I would say you could get better accommodation for the price, or better yet, stay a little outside of Solvang.

Svengaard's Danish Lodge is located across from the Mission,appropriately on Mission St. It is in the America's
Best Value Inn chain. Definately walking distance to anything in the downtown area. Less than 2 miles from large supermarkets. The room was for 3 of us. A king bed and in a separate room with door, a twin bed. This room also housed a sink, mini-refrigerator, coffee pot and hair dryer plus desk, chair and lamp. Very nice for the third wheel of your group, a child, an older person, etc. Rate was $108.00 with a AAA discount of 15% eventhough this was high season. Complimentary continental breakfast of juice, coffee, bagels, sweet rolls, oatmeal and fruit. Pool and jacuzzi. In talking with another guest who's room was enormous with one king and the small kitchenette, it was priced the same as ours. Prices in other seasons only are reduced by $20-25 according to the desk clerk. This is a clean, well run hotel. We would return. In closing we looked at the suites which rent for $156.00 (again August) and they are huge. Twice the size of Embassy Suites for about the same price.