Salt & Sill’s tale began 24 years ago, when Susanna and Patrick Hermansson, the current owners, decided to create a remarkable restaurant on the island of Klädesholmen. Their passion for gastronomy and people drove them to establish a restaurant that focused on providing top-quality food cooked with local ingredients and influenced by the coastal and oceanic flavors of the region. The restaurant’s specialty became herring, which is one of Sweden’s oldest culinary traditions and has endless combinations.
Klädesholmen is an old fishing village that dates back to the 1400s, where herring salting plants and canneries were established. It is an ideal location for Sweden’s herring restaurant, which is why Salt & Sill chose this place to operate. Their goal has always been to stimulate guests’ passion for food and inspire them to try new flavors.
Floting hotel
In 2004, the owners decided to expand their business and create a hotel that offered guests an overall experience of food, beverage, and accommodation in Klädesholmen’s serene marine environment. They wanted a hotel with meeting rooms and conference facilities that would open up new possibilities all year round. However, the limited surface of Klädesholmen posed a challenge, which led to the idea of building Sweden’s first floating hotel.
In March 2005, they received the green light to construct the hotel after gaining approval from the Miljödomstolen (the Environmental Court) and securing collaboration with the municipality of Tjörn, local businesses, the community, and residents on Klädesholmen. To avoid disturbing the island’s residents and environment, the hotel was built on floating pontoons at a nearby pier in Wallhamn. The relocation of the hotel at sea posed another challenge, which was accomplished on a hot summer day in July 2008 when the six hotel modules were towed from Wallhamn to Ängholmen and then to Klädesholmen’s final destination. Since then, guests have been able to stay and sleep on the sea’s surface.
With the hotel in place, Susanna and Patrick’s dreams of creating an all-year business became a reality. Interest from both private individuals and conference guests increased, which led to the creation of more and larger venues for socializing and growth. This was a challenging task due to the limited amount of space available, but it was solved with a masterful extension of existing structures. In spring 2013, 300 square meters of new venues were ready to host guests who wanted to celebrate or conference close to the ocean.
Salt & Sill’s restaurant, hotel, and conference facilities have gained international acclaim and have become a popular destination for visitors to Sweden’s west coast. The owners’ passion for food and people has driven the success of their business, which continues to inspire guests to try new flavors and appreciate the beauty of the ocean. Guests are always warmly welcomed to experience the unique and unforgettable atmosphere of Salt & Sill.
