At the threshold to the 20^th century, the herring population flourished in Kosterfjorden in the last great herring period at the west coast. Far into the new century, seines of herring were pulled into the shore only 200 meters north of Ekenäs Hotel. The business prospered and the famous Koster resident Julius Olsson understood that a boarding house was needed for the wholesale merchants who visited the harbor. A building was initiated in 1905 and finished two years thereupon, and is the foundation of what which soon was to become the archipelago hotel (Skärgårdshotellet) Hotel Ekenäs. Meanwhile, the herring population decreased dramatically in the beginning of the century. The business was hence liquidated in the year of 1907, as a consequence thereof. But since Julius also ran the post office of the island he had nevertheless things to do.

The Stålhane Family bought the hotel after the bankruptcy and used it as a private residence. Soon they sold it to Miss Alma Ekner who ran a boarding house business. In connection with the change of owner the building had several additions. Moreover, the country shop of Ekenäs was built. Later on Miss Ekner married Julius, who died in 1921.

The Ekenäs boarding house has been open incessantly since 1907, except for in a few isolated months during the Second World War 1939-1945. The hotel and its extraordinary view from the cliffs have always been appreciated. A bank manager was a regular costumer of the hotel during the whole period of 1924-1974. He was only one example among many of the guests who appreciated the scenery of Ekenäs.

The Holm family ran the business between 1947 and 1975. During 1964-1975 another annex was added which was called “the houses of number 10-20”. A famous investor named Roger Akelius bought the Ekenäs Hotel in 1974 and then built the annex which is called “the houses of number 30-40-50” of Solkoster. In the autumn of 1979 he founded the co-operative building society of Solkoster with condominiums in the annexes.

A new century was to begin. The houses of number 10-20 from the sixties were now in such bad a condition, that a new building was required. Also, the society later built the current “houses of number 60” with a reception, sauna and wash-house. Thus, SOLKOSTER and Ekenäs have been a much appreciated in more than 100 years.

Today, SOLKOSTER is a modern housing society with wildlife-loving guests and members all the year.

 To see the pictures, Windows Media Player is required. Download Media Player

.