Klosterhotellet turns 40 years old - welcome to celebrate with us 🎉

Interview with the Milton family - 40 years of heart, history and hospitality in VadstenaForover four decades, Johan and Carina Milton have been the heart behind Vadstena Klosterhotell. Now the next generation has taken over - with their daughter Matilda as CEO and little sister Julia running the sister hotel Slottsgården. We had the honor of sitting down with the whole family for a conversation about the passion for hospitality, memorable milestones and dreams for the future.

1. Johan and Carina, you started Klosterhotellet over 40 years ago. What was your dream from the beginning - and how has it changed over the years?

Johan: It actually started with a restaurant - Munkklostret. We wanted to create something genuine, where food, environment and hospitality went hand in hand.

Carina: And pretty soon we had the opportunity to take over the Birgitta Foundation's guesthouse, what is now Nunneklostret. Then the pieces fell into place - we could offer a holistic experience. It was never just a hotel for us, but a place where people would feel at home, in the middle of history.

2. Matilda, you've grown up among guests, corridors and monastery gardens. How does it feel to be a CEO now?

Matilda: It feels both natural and great. The hotel has always been a part of my life, so to take over the baton is an honor. I carry the legacy with me, but I also want to make my own mark - together with the fantastic team we have built up.

3. Julia, you've chosen your own path in the family business and now run Slottsgården. What is it like to stand on your own two feet - but still be part of the whole?

Julia: It's both exciting and educational! Slottsgården is a different kind of hotel, but with the same warmth and care. I am grateful to be able to do this together with my husband, and with the support of Matilda and the entire Kloster team. We complement each other nicely.

4. In 40 years, you have faced both headwinds and tailwinds. Which challenges have left the biggest mark?

Carina: Two periods stand out. First, the recession in the 90s - it was tough, but we fought through it. And then the pandemic, of course. It was both frightening and disruptive, but it also brought something good with it: the generational shift. It was a fresh start.

5. What are your most memorable moments from the trip so far?

Johan: When we took over Gästhemmet - that was the start of our destination investment.Carina: And when we built Klosterspa in 2015! It was a new era for the hotel. Our wine cellar is also something we are particularly proud of - it has become our signature.

6. What is the biggest investment you have made - or plan to make in the future?

Matilda: Slottsgården is our biggest future investment to date. We're building in three stages and want to create a whole - from monastery to castle. It's an important part of developing Vadstena as a destination. And yes, we have more plans... but we're keeping them a little secret for now!

7. You all have a strong love for the hotel world. What would you say to others who dream of starting something similar?

Johan: You have to love what you do. It's not a job - it's a lifestyle.

Carina: And you need to surround yourself with the right people. The team is everything. Without them, no hotel.

8. Vadstena is a town full of history. Which traditions mean the most to you?

Carina: Christmas! And Gammeljul, which we started ourselves. New Year, weddings, anniversaries - we love to celebrate. The medieval days at the castle are also a favorite. We want to create memories that last.

9. How does the city's cultural environment affect your guests' experience?

Matilda: Vadstena is not just a backdrop - it's part of the experience. Guests come here to feel the history, walk the cobbled streets, visit the abbey, enjoy the nature. We are part of something bigger.

10. How do you integrate cultural heritage into your activities?

Julia: We have our own guides, historical theme weekends and activities that highlight the town's history. It's important for us that guests get to experience the uniqueness of Vadstena.

11. What makes Vadstena so special, in your opinion?

Carina: The calm. The light. The history that is present everywhere. It's a small town with a big soul. There is nothing like Vadstena.

12. How do you see your role in preserving Vadstena's identity?

Johan: We see ourselves as stewards of something bigger. Our goal is that the site will still be here - as beautiful and vibrant - in 500 years. That is our promise.

13. Do you have any special packages or experiences linked to the city's history?

Matilda: Yes, lots! This year we're celebrating our 40th anniversary and we've created several packages with our favorites - from historical unique experiences to exclusive wine tastings in our cellar.

14. And finally - if you had 24 hours in Vadstena, what would you do? 

Carina: I would start in the Abbey Church, visit the Birgitta Museum and Vadstena Castle - and then take a long walk through the small neighborhoods of the town. That's how you really get to know Vadstena.

Thank you, Milton family, for sharing your journey. We look forward to at least 40 more years of warmth, hospitality and Vadstena magic!