Oslo-born Erik Nissen Johansen is the founder and creative director of Gothenburg-based Stylt. The hospitality design company has more than three decades of experience with concept development, interior architecture, and design, for around 400 restaurants and 250 hotels around the world. He’s also the co-owner of the multiply awarded Pater Noster, a former lighthouse transformed by Stylt into a completely unique hotel, located highly remote in Gothenburg’s archipelago on Sweden’s west coast.
Last month, all 24 Oscar nominees at the Academy Awards were gifted a 3-night stay at Pater Noster, as part of the famous Oscars goodie bag. However, it remains a secret whether any of them have made a booking yet.
Erik now lives with his family in Gothenburg and has really taken the adjacent archipelago to heart since moving to the west coast, with extra care for the sailing town of Marstrand in the far west where the archipelago ends and the open sea begins.
My favourite thing that makes me proud of Gothenburg’s archipelago:
The country of Sweden has the most islands in the world, and the archipelago always offers one island you can be alone on — even on the busiest and most beautiful summer day.
My favourite weekend routine:
Taking my boat fishing. It’s my type of meditation.
My favourite cultural spot:
The Nordic Watercolour Museum in Skärhamn. It’s the Scandinavian epicentre of Watercolour art and is located at an amazing spot.
My favourite nature experience:
Being on the sea.
My favourite place for dining out:
If I refrain from saying our amazing dining hall at Pater Noster, I would say Salt och Sill at Klädesholmen, as well as Åstols Rökeri and Johans Krog in Marstrand. Some examples of great local restaurants!
My favourite place for a creative or business meeting:
That’s definitely in the lantern of the Pater Noster Lighthouse.
My favourite breakfast place:
Some takeaway from Bergs Konditori to eat on the jetty at Marstrand.
My favourite city escape:
Just around the corner from Marstrand you got Engelsmannen, a great spot for cliff diving.
My favourite local entrepreneur or creative I want to promote:
Katerina and Johan at Scandsea are both marine biologists that handpick and deliver seaweed as snacks and spices both locally and globally.
My favourite hotel for a staycation:
I have to say Pater Noster, it’s a world of its own. Although, Salt och Sill have a floating hotel which is pretty cool!
My favourite route for a run or walk:
The Klåveröns nature reserve is worthwhile.
My favourite space for great design:
The Pilane sculpture park is amazing.
My favourite example of tech innovation in Gothenburg’s archipelago:
Berg Propulsion AB on Öckerö invented a propeller with less vibration than normal ones, which therefore cuts the maintenance cost for big ships. It’s now a huge industry.
My favourite local media:
The Windy app, its crucial to predict whether and wind when going back and forth to Pater Noster.
My favourite thing at home:
My wife and children.
