An island for meetings in the Roslagen archipelago
This interview with our marketing manager Bibi Rydbacken was published in Tid för Konferens, a supplement in Dagens Industri, autumn 2023. Text: Ingela Engblom
Marholmen has been a place for meetings and recreation for over a hundred years. Today it is a modern conference facility that offers archipelago experiences all year round. This fall, "7° Bad & Bastu" opens. Gather the employees for an energizing moment with meetings, baths and team building activities.
Marholmen is an island in Roslagen near Norrtälje with a bridge connection to the mainland. The island is filled with exciting environments from different eras. One time you live and conference in a magnificent Jugendvilla from 1912, the next in the modern hotel or in the cozy cottages. During the warmer months of the year, there are glamping tents for the more adventurous guests.
"The purpose of the meeting determines what is most suitable. Regardless of how the guests stay, they are always close to the sea. Nature is a common thread in everything we do throughout the business," says Bibi Rydbacken, marketing and sales manager at Marholmen.
In recent years, an extensive development journey has begun. They are already well on their way.
"We are developing Marholmen into an archipelago destination where our guests create memories all year round, while carefully preserving the island's soul, nature and history," she says.
In the early 1900s, Marholmen was owned by wholesaler Nils Berg and his wife Hanna. The couple were committed to social issues and donated the island to the labor movement (LO) to build a rest home for factory-working women. In the 20s, a folk education center was also started on the island and that's how it is. - Today we are a meeting place that welcomes both conference and private guests for meetings, rest, swimming and relaxed socializing.
One of Marholmen's strengths is that groups of all sizes feel equally comfortable here. Smaller meetings can have their own villa at their disposal, of which Villa Berg is the largest with 14 rooms. The historic Strandpavilion can be hired for private dinners or Christmas parties for up to 90 people. The largest meeting room accommodates 180 people, while events and kick-offs with many participants can rent the entire island with accommodation for almost 400 people.
"The nature here on the island means that we have fantastic opportunities to customize different types of meetings. A great advantage is that we have our own professional activity team that creates unique arrangements based on each customer's purpose and needs", says Bibi Rydbacken.
New this fall is the outdoor bath "7° Bad & Bastu" where groups of up to 50 people can enjoy hot outdoor baths in tubs, saunas, cold dips in the sea and comfortable lounges. The idea is for guests to spend most of their time outdoors.
"The average temperature during the year here at Marholmen is seven degrees - hence the name. We believe in lots of wonderful brewing and sauna hangouts, all year round and in all weather", Bibi concludes.
Facts Marholmen
- 34 hectares of archipelago nature
- One hour by car from Stockholm, Uppsala and Arlanda.
- Meeting rooms for up to 180 participants
- 50 modern hotel rooms with balcony or terrace
- 40 newly renovated cottages with living room, sauna & fireplace
- A total of 200 rooms and 368 beds
- Own activity team organizes e.g. Marholmen's Champions, boat orienteering or carpet curling tournament.
- The conference lunch can be served outdoors around an open fire.
- Mareld Spa with treatments, indoor and outdoor pool & sun therapy
