I Found the Perfect Anti-Hen Hen Destination
When you picture a hen, Gothenburg probably isn’t the first destination that comes to mind — and yet here I am, unable to stop thinking about it. TikTok let me in on Europe’s best kept secret, and it felt only right to share it with you. Jacy’z: a resort stacked vertically into a 27-storey city skyscraper, with a rooftop pool, skyline views, a dinner-club skybar and a two-floor spa that feels like a destination in itself. The perfect anti-hen hen weekend. Suddenly, Gothenburg isn’t random — it’s exactly right for the bride who swore she categorically didn’t want a hen do.
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ROGUE HENS
Kirsty McManus
14 OCTOBER 2025
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Gothenburg isn’t a city built around girly weekends. There’s no bottomless-brunch circuit, no pre-set hen menus with a side of prosecco towers, and no venue that seems to exist solely for sashes, selfies and shouting over a DJ at 2pm — which, honestly, is refreshing. In my head, Gothenburg reads more Batman Begins than final-fling-before-the-ring: cool, moody, the kind of place you'd stumble into excellent vintage stores and eat Instagrammable pastries. Not somewhere you’d confidently pitch to a group of 14 multi-generational women you’ve met a handful of times — women who love the bride, but (let’s be honest) not that much.
Unless you lead with Jacy’z, the 2022 hotel that got TikTok talking.
Jacy’z works because it's under one roof.
The entire weekend can live inside the building: pool time, spa time, drinks, dinner, a big night that doesn’t require negotiations. You’re also close enough to do Gothenburg if and when you want to leave the bubble. This matters, because this is a city where “going out” looks like a long lunch that turns into a three-hour debrief, a waterside wander with photos that will never see the light of day, and wine bars made for rehashing the origin story — how they met, what they wore, and the slightly questionable decisions that led to the very best one.
And for the anti-hen, that’s magic.
The premise: a resort weekend, without leaving the city
Jacy’z is known for its spa — not because it's relaxing, but because it's not. It’s equal parts wind-down and wind-up: the kind of place you can feel zen, then stay put for cocktails and a long, unbroken natter without anyone needing to find a decent bar for just one more.
Pachanga Pool Club & Spa sits high above the city, with pools, saunas, steam rooms and fire-relaxation areas — and it’s aesthetic in the best way. On floor 27, it’s calmer: warm pool, dry sauna, steam sauna, and a fire-relaxation zone that feels restorative. On floor 28, the energy shifts: the same spa set-up, but with a bar/restaurant element and a more buzz. Still a spa, but with afrobeats and some energy.
Standard slots are two hours, with the option to extend, so it can stretch into whatever the day (and the group chat) decides.
The spa: two floors, two moods
Ocean Beach who? Once the bride is zen (or four Hugo Spritz’ deep), it’s up to PAM’s Pool Deck & Lounge — one of Gothenburg’s largest rooftop pool terraces — for a scene change. Let’s be honest: it’s Sweden. Think mild, not Mediterranean — but the heated outdoor pool means you’re not relying on a heatwave to make it work. The mood feels more Ibiza hen than Scandi, and if you can ignore the surrounding office buildings, you can just about convince yourself you’re at Cafe Mambo.
Also: PAM’s explicitly mentions bachelorette parties as part of the world it caters to — which tells you everything about the intended energy. They’re set up for groups, they expect a bit of noise, and they’re not going to act scandalised if one of you is wearing a veil.
PAM’s Pool Deck is a main character moment
For the big night, GOGOGAGA is an easy yes. It’s the 26th-floor Asian skybar and built around shareable plates and views over Gothenburg that make even a simple booking feel like an occasion.
There’s also Archie’s, your all-day, everyone-will-find-something spot. Breakfast through to dinner, relaxed but still polished, ideal for the first-night “let’s settle in” meal or the next-day comfort-food fix. Gaby’s is the in-house daytime spot for a low-effort lunch between spa and rooftop, when you just need carbs. And if your group is more cocktails than club, JQ Bar is the one. It’s a proper drinks destination with that dressed-up, dimly-lit energy that suits a hen without turning into chaos.
And if you’re reading this thinking, but what if we just want something fried, familiar and shameless at 1am? You absolutely can. Uber Eats and a cheeky KFC to the room, unapologetically. Speaking of rooms...
Dinner plans: the skyline does the heavy lifting
If there's one thing that Jacy'z gets right, it's decor, and the roms are no exception. Cosy lighting, retro touches, soft textiles, and those pink cushions that make hotel feel like it was designed exclusively for the girls-trip. Medium rooms sleep two; book multiple and request the same floor to keep the group close together.
You can opt for a large room to squeeze three guests in, but be warned: I wouldn't. Two people will have a lovely night stay in a lovely bed. The third is on a camper-style bed that doesn’t exactly scream luxe. Fine for one night, but not ideal if you’re the friend who draws the short straw for the weekend.
As expected, you'll have some nice-to-haves (robes, slippers, good shower products), plus a minibar and snack drawer that’s pure temptation. Important caveat: it’s a paid raid, not a free-for-all.
Visit JACYZHOTEL.COM
Sold? I was too. And fear not: despite what I naively assumed, Gothenburg is embarrassingly easy (and affordable) to get to. Direct flights run from the big airports (think London Stansted, Manchester and London Heathrow) and, if you’re smart with dates, you can snag a return for around £40. Once you land at Landvetter, you’re only 30 minutes from Jacy’z. Download the Bolt app and it’s a £17 ride, instead of the eye-watering £60 you can end up paying if you hop in an airport taxi.
From the hotel, the city itself is only a 20-minute walk, and it’s one worth doing.
Gothenburg is quietly curated in the best way, with the kind of food-and-drink scene that makes a hen weekend feel elevated without ever trying too hard. Think atmospheric bars, genuinely good restaurants, and little waterside stretches that make everyone feel like they’ve had a proper trip.
Use Magasinsgatan as your all-day backbone: great food, better drinks, and that buzzy-but-not-loud city energy that makes it simple to drift from one stop to the next. Barabicu, Bongo, Bar Palavas, Bar Centro, Somm, and Tolv Vinbar all come recommended.
Also not to be overlooked: there’s water. Between the Göta älv and the city’s canals, a golden-hour boat ride is the perfect surprise the bride won’t be expecting. Optional (but extremely Main Characters): stop in at Beyond Retro — not for the shopping, but for the vintage photobooth. Tipsy eyes, slightly blurry, but crucially the bride gets a strip for the scrapbook.
Gothenburg is for the girls-trip
The point of Gothenburg isn’t that it’s better than the obvious hen destinations. It’s that it’s playing a different game. It doesn’t try to out-hen the hen cities, and that’s exactly why it works.
A stay at Jacy’z will set you back around £110 per guest, per night, including breakfast and timed Pool Club & Spa access. If you want to build dinner in as well, there are experience packages that bundle your room, breakfast, spa and a set menu. For what you get, it’s a very good deal.
If you’re looking for an anti-hen that’s chic, low-admin, and just left-field enough to feel like a hen don’t rather than a hen do, I’m putting Gothenburg + Jacy’z at the top of the list.
Visit JACYZHOTEL.COM
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