Katrinelunds Gästgiveri & Sjökrog – The Pandemic Summer of 2020

Katrinelunds Gästgiveri & Sjökrog, located on the shores of Lake Hjälmaren outside Örebro, is a cherished destination known for its high-end gastronomy, focus on local ingredients, and relaxing atmosphere. They offer hotel accommodations, à la carte dining at the Inn (Gästgiveriet), and the seasonal summer restaurant, the Lake Tavern (Sjökrogen).

When the pandemic hit in the spring of 2020, Katrinelund was hit hard by massive conference cancellations, and their customer base dropped dramatically. Gul PR was given the urgent mission to manage PR efforts to drive guests to the hotel and restaurants for the upcoming summer. The strategy focused on highlighting Katrinelund as the perfect, safe “staycation” destination, offering high-quality dining and relaxation in a beautiful, rural setting.

The result was approximately 50 media placements in both national and regional outlets during that summer. This high visibility led to a thriving season for both the restaurants and the hotel, with high occupancy rates throughout. A clear correlation was observed between the media exposure and the public’s decision to visit Katrinelund during the pandemic summer.