With a shared ambition to develop Gotland, Strawberry and Gotlandsbolaget are starting a collaboration. In the summer of 2026, Quality Hotel will take over Gotlandsbolaget's hotel in Visby, which is currently operated as a franchise within Scandic. After that, the aim is set for several collaborative projects that will contribute to continuing to build an attractive Gotland.
– It is no secret that Strawberry loves Gotland. Through Clarion Hotel Wisby, we have historically had the opportunity to expand our operations one property at a time along Strandgatan, but now the block is over, but our desire to grow on Gotland is not. Through a collaboration with Gotlandsbolaget, we now have the opportunity to take the next step, and that means a new hotel in Visby, but also that we are already jointly sketching out further collaborations that will be beneficial for both the people of Gotland, the business community and visitors, says Petter Stordalen, owner of Strawberry.
Conversations between Strawberry and Gotlandsbolaget have been going on for some time and with the new collaboration between the companies, the possibilities are great.
– Gotland is our base and the place we call home and we are constantly working to develop this fantastic place, which is already perhaps Sweden's most attractive destination. In Strawberry we have found a partner who shares our vision of developing places to live and the opportunity to take part in what the island has to offer, says Björn Nilsson, CEO of Gotlandsbolaget.
The first step in the collaboration will take place in June 2026 when what was known for many years as Hamnhotellet, but which has been operated as a franchise to Scandic since 2013, will instead become part of Strawberry. Gotlandsbolaget will continue as the owner of the business, but through a franchise agreement with Strawberry, the hotel will be converted into a Quality Hotel. Preparations for this, as well as a development and possible expansion of the hotel, have already begun. The new Quality Hotel will also have a sibling in the existing Clarion Hotel Wisby, which creates new opportunities.
– We see potential to create synergies between the two hotels. Having a close collaboration between two of Gotland's largest hotels creates opportunities. Gotlandsbolaget also owns several other attractive properties on Gotland and we will together review how these can be developed, says Carina Hammander, CEO of Gotland Hotels & Properties.
Quality Hotel, which is now expanding to Gotland, is one of the largest hotel chains in the Nordic region with 65 hotels and 14,000 hotel rooms. Together, they are a strong player in the market and attract meetings, events and families to the destinations they operate in. Sometimes Vings Lollo & Bernie also check in to create experiences for the children.
Facts about the new Quality Hotel:
214 hotel rooms
Restaurant
Bar
Outdoor pool
Jacuzzi
Gym and relaxation
6 meeting rooms
