The May 1 celebration of the start of the season in Vrådal was like a small Straand meeting

Publisert: 1. May, 2025

NEW PLAYER MARKS THE START OF THE SEASON ON MAY 1

Straand hotel in Vrådal builds on the existing HUB riding offer with a special celebration of the start of the season for autophiles on May 1st. It was a great success for the approximately 550 attendees who either made their own way to Vrådal or followed a ride-out under the auspices of Autostrada, Porsche Centeret in Porsgrunn, Speed Motorcenter in Sandefjord or CBP in Skien.

Both the hungry and the curious enjoyed themselves on the terrace in temperatures of around 20 degrees Celsius, and the hotel’s staff were probably feeling the heat as they had to cater for around 550 people at almost the same time. It’s actually quite a large party and many mouths to feed.

The fun thing about Katrine and Lars Arne Straand’s event was that there were both flat, fast cars and motorcycles in the parking lot and the whole thing seemed like one huge exhibition or a small Straand meeting. After a long winter, it was obvious that most people really appreciated meeting old and new friends, so the good feeling and joy was palpable.

Straand hotel in Vrådal has gradually become an iconic motor hotel where all clubs and motor enthusiasts seem to thrive – no matter what. Lars Arne and Katrine continue to build and develop the HUB riding concept with great success, brick by brick, almost like an innovation hatchery where the distance from idea to reality only seems to get shorter and shorter. When the two civil engineers took over the family hotel in 2019, after just four months in operation they slammed straight into a pandemic, but the couple managed to turn risk and shock into opportunity and have continued to do so ever since. Both Katrine and Lars Arne are skilled network builders and this is probably part of the reason for their success.

“This was the first year with a May Day celebration for us, and we’re going to make it even better, bigger and more fun next year,” says Katrine Straand, who always thinks about and facilitates innovation and development. “The HUB riding concept will be further developed and collaboration with the club environments will be prioritized,” adds Lars Arne Strannd.

The hotel’s tourism concept, referred to as HUB riding, includes everything from cars, motorcycles, rental of electricbicycles, canoes and kayaks, routes for mountain hikers, a private beach with a beach bar, a lock tour with the vintage boat Fram, events or arrangements under private auspices or for the conference market. Straand has taken first place as an innovation hub in this part of the tourism industry and has since the outbreak of the pandemic learned a lot about short-range innovation and product development.

“The 1 May event was another success in a long line of initiatives that people really seem to like and appreciate. “The fantastic turnout and the good response we receive are very important for the energy production and motivation of the entire Straand team,” adds Lars Arne Straand, who likes to be first and furthest ahead.