Molskroen sold in less than a month: Will remain being a culinary landmark

Molskroen, located on Djursland in Denmark, is an iconic destination and a historic, gastronomic treasure that draws guests from across the country, all coming to enjoy a truly exceptional dining experience. That will remain the case, even as Molskroen now changes hands. A familiar face will continue to represent the establishment: Sarah Evar, who has led Molskroen as hotel manager for the past six years, will now step into the role of managing director.

“I have been part of this journey for the past six years, and I have no intention of ending it here. Everything that guests love and return for will remain unchanged. Molskroen should be exactly the place where you can relax and feel truly welcomed. A place where history is embedded in the walls, yet the experience is vibrant and luxurious,” says Sarah Evar, the new managing director of Molskroen.

The new owner has strong ties to Ebeltoft
The new owner is Mads Bygballe, who owns, among other things, Ruby Travel Group and a part of Travelheart Family, where he also serves as chairman of the board. He states that his intention is to carry Molskroen forward in the same spirit:

“I am truly happy to be part of continuing a piece of Danish history. To me, Molskroerne is more than just an investment – it is a place close to my heart. I have roots in Ebeltoft, where both my father and grandfather originate from. It is an area which means a lot to me, and I look forward to helping carry Molskroerne forward in the spirit the place deserves and is known for.”

Henrik Frederiksen, the former owner and Matas millionaire who has owned Molskroen since 2012 and expanded it with the seaside hotel in 2014, is pleased that the inn’s future is now secured. He says:

“First of all, a big thank you to Stephen Berthelsen from EDC Poul Erik Bech for an enjoyable process. The collaboration with him and EDC Erhverv has been excellent, and I am glad that the inn’s future is now secured. It has been essential for me that Molskroen is carried forward with respect for its history and the spirit of the place, and I am completely confident that this will happen now with Sarah as managing director and Mads as owner.”

The phone was ringing nonstop
EDC Poul Erik Bech facilitated the sale of Molskroen, and for Stephen Berthelsen, who is chairman of the firm’s hotel division, it was not just an ordinary day when the news broke that Molskroen was up for sale. He explains:

“Rarely have I experienced such strong interest in a case. I was also involved in the sale of the former Hornbæk Hospital on behalf of Freja Ejendomme, which is now being transformed into a luxury hotel, and even there, the number of viewings was extraordinary. But when we announced that Molskroen was listed for sale, words spread quickly, and the media coverage was massive. I was attending the MIPIM real estate fair in France, and my phone was ringing nonstop with calls from both journalists and potential buyers wanting to know more about the inn. It is always exciting to work on cases that attract that kind of attention – and from the moment the sale went public, it took less than a month before the purchase agreement was signed.”

“We are very pleased to have assisted Henrik Frederiksen, and we warmly congratulate him on the sale. At the same time, we would also like to extend our congratulations to Mads Bygballe on the purchase. It will be truly exciting to follow the development, and we are delighted that Molskroen will remain a premium destination for both Danish and international tourists seeking high-end gastronomy in luxurious surroundings,” says Stephen Berthelsen from EDC Poul Erik Bech, and continues:

“We are seeing growing interest in hotels and inns from both national and international buyers, which led us at EDC Poul Erik Bech to establish a dedicated, independent hotel division nearly a year ago, bringing together brokers from across the country. This gives us a much more structured advisory and sales process, along with a large network and portfolio of hotels and inns. Tourism in Denmark is on the rise, and the ‘coolcation’ trend has made the country a popular travel destination. This creates strong conditions for Danish hotels and inns, and the segment is becoming an increasingly important part of our business, with many transactions taking place on an ongoing basis.”