Ciao, Karlstad! The Radiant Hotel Fratelli Brings Southern Europe to Sweden

A bustling melting pot with a zest for life. After years of renovation, Karlstad's sunny Hotel Fratelli, drawing inspiration from the vibrant culture and design of southern Europe, is finally ready for check-in. Starting today, April 19, 2024, Hotel Fratelli welcomes guests to its 85 exquisite hotel rooms, spa Allegria Retreat Club, and no less than three restaurants and bars.

The sun has long been a symbol of Karlstad. Take, for example, “Sola i Karlstad”, the nickname given to local profile Eva Lisa Holtz, an 18th century innkeeper whose sunny disposition made her a symbol of the city. Or the city’s municipal logo—a smiling cartoon sun, drawn by beloved Swedish illustrator Lasse Sandberg, who lived and worked in Karlstad.

Against this backdrop, it is easy to see why the friendly people of this hub of the Värmland region have become known for their warmth and hospitality. Now, Karlstad can boast another sun on its map: Hotel Fratelli. This radiant new design hotel, which fittingly just opened at Soltorget (“The Sun Square”), draws inspiration from the lively culture of southern Europe. Think Mediterrenian hospitality, vivid color choices, and a charming joie de vivre.

It is no coincidence that the hotel was named “fratelli”, the Italian word for “brothers”. The hotel is owned by Peter Persson, CEO of the real estate company Capriga, General Manager Anders Pertun, and brothers as well as restaurant and event entrepreneurs Mattias and Andreas Olsson. As General Manager, Anders Pertun is in charge of the operation, and has been a key player in the growth of the hotel. He has been waiting a long time for this day.

– It almost feels a little surreal. Three years of intensive work is over and now we finally get to present Hotel Fratelli to the public. This hotel will become a reason to travel to Karlstad and the first choice for the people of Värmland to meet, he says.

A Destination for Drinks, Dining and Design

Hotel Fratelli consists of 85 hotel rooms in the categories Double, Superior, Deluxe and Suites, several of them with balconies. Here, the aesthetics bring to mind the coastal style of Spain, France, and Italy, with bold pops of colors like terracotta and gold, and eclectic tile work. Downstairs, the hotel boasts its own spa, the Allegria Retreat Club. Spa guests can enjoy everything from the classics, like pools, cold baths, and Finnish saunas, to the more experimental, like stone baths and experience showers. It also features its own bar, providing hungry and thirsty spa-goers with refreshing drinks and lighter bites.

In addition to living and relaxation in beautiful milieus, Hotel Fratelli is a destination for world-class food and drinks. In the hotel’s main restaurant Vicino (Italian for “neighbor”), an “honest food” philosophy with influences from southern Europe meets local produce. Here, future favorites like Fratelli’s own salchichon and regional chorizo go hand in hand with classics like Limoncello Spritzes and Sazeracs.

One floor up, the playful Isola, meaning “island” in Italian, is just that: a lush oasis out at sea. Isola moves more towards the lightness of the French Riviera. Its menu describes the dishes as warm, cold, and sweet, rather than as traditional starters or mains. The wine list has a life of its own, expressing the hotel’s characteristic curiosity. In this sun-drenched space, indulgent shellfish plateaus and lobster rolls are best enjoyed with a Torino Mule or a Rosé Frizzante.

Fratelli Bar & Deli, in turn, is the hotel’s meeting place for early-morning espressos on the go, late-night cocktails, and everything in between. It focuses more on a menu that is smaller in size but big in personality. Expect everything from cured meats and cheeses to salads and pizzas. The entire range of restaurants in the building is elegantly tied together by the house's solid wine list—curated with no less than 500 wines from mainly small-scale farmers in Italy and France.

– Karlstad is a city on the rise and it’s just right for a concept like Hotel Fratelli. The team behind the hotel has extensive experience from the hospitality and restaurant industry, and they have succeeded in creating something completely unique. There will be food and drink experiences beyond the ordinary here, framed by stunning design. I'm really looking forward to following Hotel Fratelli's journey as they bring even more life and movement to Karlstad, says Henrik Berghult, Chief Operating Officer at Nordic Hotels & Resorts.

A Landmark With a New Lease on Life

The construction of Hotel Fratelli has been done with great respect for the house. For more than half a century, the building that houses the hotel—formerly known as the CGC building—has been a landmark in Karlstad. 

The CGC building opened in 1951 when local businessman Carl-Gustaf Carlsson moved his men's shop to the newly built building. This would later become the CGC Department Store. CGC has been referred to as the most exclusive department store in Karlstad; it was the first store in the city to install an escalator. Now, a new chapter is being written in the history of the veneered building. The facade has been given a facelift, but it is mainly inside that new, bold design choices have been incorporated to reflect the charm of southern Europe.

– At Hotel Fratelli, guests should feel cared for and be themselves, as with friends and family. With us, you should be able to hang out for a long time, without having to leave the hotel, says Anders Pertun, General Manager at Hotel Fratelli.

Hotel Fratelli opens Friday, April 19. The hotel joins Nordic Hotels & Resorts' portfolio as a member hotel.