The VK Wrap-Up: Big Wins for Hotel Fratelli and Sommerro at a Spectacular Vinterkonferansen 2025

Two days, 3,500 guests, one arena, and an unforgettable celebration of achievements. On January 11-13, Strawberry held its annual Winter Conference, known as “VK,” at Strawberry Arena. Colleagues from all over the Nordics praised the highlights of the past year, among them Nordic Hotels & Resorts’ properties Hotel Fratelli, named the New Hotel of the Year, and Sommerro, crowned the Nordic Hotel & Resort of the Year.

Another much-anticipated Vinterkonferansen has unfolded just a few days ago in Stockholm, Sweden. The Winter Conference of 2025, known internally as “VK,” was nothing short of spectacular, with the type of larger-than-life keynote speeches, entertainment, and awards that the people of Nordic Hotels & Resorts and our mother brand Strawberry have to come to expect and look forward to.

The two-day event at Strawberry Arena, renamed in 2024 following Strawberry owner and founder Petter Stordalen’s announcement of a new partnership with Stockholm Live, was packed with highlights. VK is the Nordic hotel industry’s biggest and most spectacular internal event, and 2025 was no exception. The conference once again brought together a mix of over 3,500 employees, suppliers, and partners, who commended their hotels and milestones from the past year. 

Each year, the conference culminates in a big Award Ceremony. For Nordic Hotels & Resorts, this year’s award ceremony was a celebration of two extraordinary properties: Hotel Fratelli, crowned New Hotel of the Year, and Sommerro, earning the prestigious title of Nordic Hotel & Resort of the Year.

New Hotel of the Year — Hotel Fratelli

Karlstad, Sweden

Located in the heart of Karlstad, Hotel Fratelli has quickly made a name for itself. After years of renovating an iconic building, this bustling melting pot with a zest for life opened in April of 2024 to great acclaim. Hotel Fratelli draws inspiration from the vibrant culture and design of southern Europe, spreading its warm charm and Mediterranean hospitality across 85 exquisite hotel rooms, the spa Allegria Retreat Club, and no less than three restaurants and bars.

Winning the New Hotel of the Year award is a testament to Hotel Fratelli’s incredible journey in less than a year. From its impeccable design and vivid colors to its charming joie de vivre, Hotel Fratelli embodies the conceptual and modern spirit of Nordic Hotels & Resorts.

– Since day one, we have worked with a strong focus on guest satisfaction. I am absolutely convinced that this has contributed to our high NPS, which is one of the criteria for the award. It's also great to see that our conscious and sustainable material choices are appreciated by our guests. This award is incredibly humbling, just being nominated together with other fantastic hotels is a big honor. Being able to take the award home to Karlstad was very emotional, says Anders Pertun, General Manager at Hotel Fratelli.

Nordic Hotel & Resort of the Year — Sommerro

Oslo, Norway

The opulent Sommerro in Oslo, Norway is nothing less than heritage reimagined. This 1930’s Art Deco landmark turned maximalist ‘it’ place has been an international favorite since opening in 2022. Once the headquarters of the city's electrical company, today this restored gem boasts a 231-room hotel, four restaurants, two bars, a rooftop terrace, a sprawling wellness space, and a series of historical meeting and event rooms. And, of course, not to forget: the stunning, secluded, 11 room private villa, Villa Inkognito.

At this year’s VK, Sommerro took home the coveted Nordic Hotel & Resort of the Year award. Having previously won New Hotel of the Year at VK, Sommerro keeps raising the bar when it comes to interior design, service experience, culinary offerings, and contemporary luxury. 

– This award is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and resilience of our team, who have truly gone above and beyond over the past year. At last year’s VK, we set a goal to win this award—and now we did it! This achievement is not just a milestone but also a reflection of what’s possible when passion and teamwork come together. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished, and I’m excited about what the future holds as we continue to push boundaries and aim even higher, says André Julseth, General Manager at Sommerro.

Nordic Hotels & Resorts’ Brand Session

VK started early on Saturday, when Nordic Hotels & Resorts held its own Brand Session. The Brand Session is the official kick off for employees at Nordic Hotels & Resorts and its hotels, focusing on the achievements of the people that make up our company and hotels. Awards were given to both individuals and hotels, culminating in a celebration of all the Employees of the Year at each hotel.

The NHR Brand Session spotlighted the exceptional individuals and hotels that make up our family, handing out awards for:

GUEST EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR

Hotel F6

Helsinki, Finland

FOOD & BEVERAGE VENUE OF THE YEAR

Rug, Villa Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

BRAND EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR

Hotel Christiania Teater

Oslo, Norway

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT OF THE YEAR

Hobo Hotel Stockholm

Stockholm, Sweden

DEPARTMENT MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Fahad Chowdhury, At Six

Stockholm, Sweden

GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Emil Ekberg, Nordic Light Hotel

Stockholm, Sweden

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Admiral Hotel: Fatou Sai

Amerikalinjen: Kei Shimizu

Aronsborgs Konferenshotell: Emma Kraft

At Six: Marco Harmina

Avalon Hotel: Elena Tashevska

Copperhill Mountain Lodge: Robin Erngren

Farris Bad: Stine Helgesen

Frösö Park Hotel: Anton Karlsson

Funken Lodge: Priscila Fernandes

Hobo Hotel Stockholm: Isabel Martin Vik

Hobo Hotel Helsinki: Sanni Tolvanen

Hotel AX: Olha Klitar

Hotel C Stockholm: Andreas Bojazidis

Hotel Christiania Teater: Michaela Unzueta

Hotel F6: Ida Nyyssönen

Hotel Fabian: Emmi Lisko

Hotel Fratelli: Anton Ritzman

Hotel Føroyar: Bjørk Fossdal Sjóklett

Hotel Haven: Vitalii Fursov

Hotel Kämp: Jukka-Pekka Saonegin

Hotel Klaus K: Johanna Pohjanpalo

Hotel Lilla Roberts: Amanda Annajian

Hotel Riviera: Emilie Vik

Hotel St. George: Lotta Haapasalmi

Lily Country Club: Anna Selnes

Nordic Light Hotel: Nelly Alm

Norefjell Ski & Spa: Jan Bura

Riddergaarden Mountain Lodge: Kaspar Raiss-Reiss

Selma Spa: Fredrik Jonsson

Sommerro: Rafael Simplício Kandjongo

Son Spa: Helle Luthen

Stenungsbaden Yacht Club: Clara Leissner

Strömstad Spa: Virgine Noudji

TAK Stockholm: Ergent Durici

THE THIEF: Emilie Hansen-Nymoen

Villa Copenhagen: Andrei Ciuca

Vox Hotel: Johanna Sixtensson

Wood Hotel Bodø: Tomasz Bien

Yasuragi: Bele Diamantino