So, it all starts here. 2015 – the year of change. The year my husband and I move to Sweden to take over the running of Urshult Hotell.
To be honest, 2014 was pretty change-filled too:
- the love of my life proposed to me
- we married 3 months later
- I moved home to Archway, north London (my first time living north of the river!)
- I became a step-mum of 2 children aged 8 and 12
- and last but not least…I bought a hotel in Sweden
This is my story. The story of how I bought Urshult Hotell with my husband, our move from urban London to rural Urshult, how we change career from musicians to hotel owners and how I adapt to life in a new country. I will regularly post text and photos to chart our progress so keep logging in to find the latest news!
First, a little bit about the hotel and what made us want to buy it: Following our wedding in July last year, we began to look at houses to buy and discovered that buying in my husband’s native Sweden was far far cheaper than my native London. In London we could afford a 1 bedroom flat and for the same price in Sweden we could afford…………………..a 14 bedroom hotel, with 3 bedroom flat for the owners, restaurant-style kitchen, bar, shop, large garden, car park and barn. No contest really!
Urshult Hotell
We went to see the property in October last year and, after 2 visits, met with local banks to discuss our business plan. We were attracted to the hotel partly because it is just 45 minutes drive from my husband’s family in Smaland and situated on the banks of a beautiful lake called Asnen. It is also HUGE, including a total of 3 separate buildings – a far cry from our cramped one bedroom flat in Archway. Also, this part of Sweden is teeming with lakes and pretty villages – worlds apart from where I grew up in Peckham, South London. I love that!
After talking with the current owner about what it is like running the place and living in Urshult, we decided to go ahead with the sale. My husband and I have had many talks about what we want out of life long-term and we both feel that Sweden offers us better quality of life than London. Of course, buying the hotel is a risk. We might fail. I might miss London terribly and hate my new adopted home. But I strongly suspect that we will both love Urshult, enjoy the challenge of learning new skills, get satisfaction out of running our own business together, have more time together as a couple and enjoy meeting interesting guests from around the world. Stay tuned for how we get on!!
Go Anna. I wish you and your new hubby all the best. It will be an amazing adventure, I know you will work hard and give it 110%. Enjoy every minute. I think it will be difficult at first, there will be challenges along the way but I have no doubt you will make a success of it.
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this is awsome!!!
cant wait to have a look around. in your hotel:)
cu soon
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A warm welcome to Urshult!
Monique Kotterer and family
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Love the blog!! It will be fascinating to read about your experiences, I’m really glad you’re doing this 🙂 and welcome to the blogosphere!!!
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Ah so lovely to meet you and to hear about your exciting plans, I’m looking forward to the next installment! Good luck with the next few weeks of prep. Kate x
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Loved reading this, Anna. Looking forwqrd to further instalments. Hasta pronto!
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Good luck to both of you, Anna and Robban. Looking forward to go there.
/Ingela, friend of Calle and Cillan
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I came here from the community pool! Very nice blog, good luck with the hotel, it looks awesome and it will be interesting to see how things turn out! Wishing you all the best!
-Sunflower
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Thanks Sunflower!
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London property’s that expensive? I knew it was bad, but… Best of luck to you in Sweden, great post!
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Thank you! Yes, London’s house prices are in a league of their own – thanks for stopping by bookblogger:-)
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Very exciting. Best wishes with everything! Came over from Community Pool to say hi. http://lilypupslife.wordpress.com/
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Thanks Lilypup. I enjoyed reading your blog earlier in the week and am now following you! x
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What an amazingly brave thing to do. It’s wonderful to share a dream you love with the love of your life. The support is built into the marriage. The hotel is beautiful and your guests, I’m sure, will feel the warm invitation that can only come from loving hearts. Wishing you and your family the best.
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Thank you! Yes, a warm welcome awaits guests at Urshult Hotell:)
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Good luck my friend. This new journey is yours. Enjoy each and every step.
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Thank you! By the way I love the look of your home page – very attractive! All the best:)
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My turn to say thanks 🙂
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