Nestled on the edge of the Gullmarsfjorden in Lysekil, Sweden, Strandflickorna isn’t just a hotel, it’s a seaside experience woven through history, hospitality, and a touch of eccentric charm. The boutique property operates across three beautifully restored turn-of-the-century villas, as well as two modern seaside studios, Havsateljén and Badpaviljongen, offering private spa access and direct ladders into the fjord itself.
At the helm is Bettina Salesjö, co-founder and CEO, who has nurtured the business for over 30 years. From the beginning, Strandflickorna has stood for personal service, unique charm, and a deep connection to its environment. But as operations expanded, managing the business with limited digital tools became increasingly unsustainable.
A Modern System for a Timeless Hotel
“Before we switched to VisBook, we were using a much simpler booking system,” says Bettina. “It didn’t include everything we needed, so we had to supplement with other programs.” The result was a patchwork of software, added complexity, and time lost to admin work.
That changed with VisBook.
“We found VisBook to be a very cost-effective solution, but more importantly, it was ahead of the curve compared to others,” Bettina explains. “From the very beginning, the service and communication were outstanding.”
VisBook’s all-in-one platform proved to be a game changer. With modules covering everything from bookings, restaurant management and table reservations to conference management, the team at Strandflickorna no longer needs to juggle multiple systems. “Now, when a package is booked, all the elements are automatically integrated. All we need to do is greet the guest with a smile” notes the Front Desk Manager, Gina Storm.
The Power of Integration with BookVisit
Adding BookVisit to the tech stack took things even further.
“With BookVisit, we’ve been able to consolidate everything under one roof,” says Gina. “OTA bookings, travel agency sales, direct bookings—they all feed into the same place.”
This clarity is especially helpful given the complexity of their offering. With multiple properties and tailored packages, BookVisit allows Strandflickorna to segment products by villa, guest type, and experience.
“That’s huge for us,” Gina notes. “Instead of confusing guests with every package in one channel, we can target exactly the right guest with the right offer.”
BookVisit also makes it easier to encourage direct bookings. Features like price comparisons help nudge guests away from third-party OTAs and toward the Strandflickorna website, where they’ll often find better deals.
More Time for Guests, Less Time on Admin
“The best thing is that VisBook and BookVisit talk to each other,” Gina says. “It saves us a huge amount of time every day.”
That time is reinvested where it matters most: in the guest experience.
“We can now focus on welcoming our guests and inviting them to relax in our environment, instead of being stuck behind a computer.”
New features like integrated gift card functionality have only enhanced the experience. “That was a real game changer for us,” she says. “I don’t think anyone is happier than I am that it works so well.”
Scalable for Any Property
Bettina is quick to recommend the combined VisBook and BookVisit solution to other hoteliers. “Both companies share a vision to be market leaders, whether you’re a small or large property,” she says. “You can start with the basic module, or scale up with spa, restaurant, and conference tools as your business grows.”
Her advice for others considering the switch?
“Just do it.”
