History of the place

The history of the place: From Pensionat Sandbergen to Naya

In 1926, at the same time as the first dance was held at Sandbergens Dansbana, construction began on the charming Pensionat Sandbergen. Two years later, in 1928, it opened its doors and quickly became a summer oasis for beachgoers seeking peace and quiet on Öland. The guesthouse, which is today one of Öland’s oldest preserved, was founded by Julia and her two daughters. They previously ran Café Julia in Mörbylånga and had a travellers’ room in Kalmar, but here they created a place where guests could enjoy the summer in peace.

The guesthouse's rooms were carefully decorated with muted colors and period details – each room had a small table with a patterned porcelain jug and a dish for washing and shaving. Guests spent their days hiking through the forest's bathing path to reach the beach, where a refreshing morning swim awaited. Evenings were filled with dinner in the dining room, accompanied by piano music from the black piano.

During that time, the guesthouse had its own car and driver who picked up guests at the ferry terminal in Färjestaden, where the ferry from the mainland docked. Among the guests were many well-to-do ladies, and the guesthouse quickly became a beloved destination, with many stories and memories attached to its walls.

A woman remembers how her childhood summers were marked by life at the boarding house:
“The black piano in the dining room played every night, but there was a floorboard that creaked – if someone walked on it, the music stopped. The rooms were so beautiful, and in each room there was a porcelain jug and a saucer. My grandmother worked here, and I got to spend my summer holidays at the boarding house.”

From StrandNära to Naya: A new era

In 2007, Erica and Mikael Anerhaf took over the business, and the guesthouse was named StrandNära – a tribute to its unique location and surrounding nature. With a focus on sustainability and consideration for both history and future, they maintained the classic seaside guesthouse feel while refining the business to what it is today.

Now, with Naya, we are taking the next step in the history of the place. We are building on the legacy of Pensionat Sandbergen and StrandNära, with a vision of creating a place for recovery, well-being and a deeper quality of life. Here, historical memories and modern experiences meet – from the time of the first bathers to today's focus on sleep, health and relaxation close to nature.

The history of the place lives on, not just in the walls, but in every moment our guests create here. Naya is a celebration of what has been and an invitation to what is to come. Welcome to be a part of our story.