Håkan Karlsten

I'm living my dream

– Our family has roots in Vrångö since the 16th century. They were pilots and sailors. I grew up in the city but became a year-round resident in 1991. I myself have a past as a wrestler in the national team and commuted to work and training in the city. For a while I also ran my own business in the office machinery industry, but eventually got tired of commuting.
Vrångö used to be the island of pilots and fishing was a staple industry, but that has declined in the last 30 years. In order for the island to continue to be part of a living archipelago, it was necessary to think in new ways

– There was a lack of overnight accommodation for visitors to Vrångö, known as Gothenburg’s bathing island, and I thought about opening a hostel. Together with friends Jörgen and Anna Gerdrup, who later became co-owners, we sketched out various layouts and the result was Kajkanten, an apartment hotel in the old fishing harbor with the sea as the nearest neighbor. Today I am the sole owner and run the hotel together with my family and employees.

A SUSTAINABLE AND LIVING ARCHIPELAGO
– Together with other business owners in Vrångö, I want to develop a sustainable hospitality industry, and I am very proud that we are now eco-labelled by Green Key. My hope is that as a guest with us, you will feel more relaxed than connected, and nature and the car-free society contribute to this. My view of sustainable tourism also includes the islanders, that they appreciate meeting visitors from other places and that our guests receive such a warm welcome that they are happy to visit us again.