With experience from Scandic, among others, a previous role as hotel director at Stadshotellet in Karlskrona, and leading positions in other industries, he now returns to the hotel industry in Kalmar. The ambition is clear: to strengthen the hotel’s local position and make it an even more natural meeting place for residents of Kalmar and hotel guests.
Rickard Swärd has an extensive background in service, sales, and leadership. He began his career at IKEA and has since held several commercial and leading roles, including at Scandic. He has also served as hotel director at Stadshotellet in Karlskrona and Scandic Kalmar Väst. In recent years, he has held leading positions outside the hotel industry as well, experiences that have given him new perspectives on leadership, change management, and business development. He now brings these experiences into his role at Profilhotels Calmar Stadshotell.
An important part of his ambition is to strengthen the hotel’s relationship with Kalmar and encourage more residents to discover what it has to offer. The restaurant, the spa, the conference facilities, and the hotel’s common areas are meant for more than just overnight guests.
“I want Calmar Stadshotell to truly be the city’s hotel. Not just for our overnight guests, but equally for the residents of Kalmar. A natural place where people can meet, socialize, and experience something together,” says Rickard Swärd.
To achieve this, he wants to make the hotel’s offerings more visible in the local market and create more reasons for residents of Kalmar to visit the hotel. The central location, the rich history, and the personal character are important strengths to build on.
“We have so much to offer, even for those who aren’t staying at the hotel. Really great food with a varied selection, charming conference facilities, and a fantastic spa that I myself was pleasantly surprised by. All right in the heart of Kalmar. I hope more residents of Kalmar will discover us and feel that Stadshotellet is a place for them too,” says Rickard Swärd.
Employees are central to the hotel’s continued development. For Rickard, good leadership is about creating engagement, clarity, and involvement, with shared responsibility for both the guest experience and business results. It is through the employees that the hotel’s ambitions become reality in meeting guests.
At the same time, he sees personal hospitality as an important competitive advantage at a time when more and more aspects of the hotel stay are becoming digitalized. Technology can simplify and enhance the experience, but it is still the human encounter that makes the difference.
“To me, truly great hospitality is about being seen. It can be something as simple as someone remembering your name, noting a special request, or doing that little something extra without you having to ask. Technology can simplify and enhance a hotel stay, but it can never replace the feeling that someone actually sees you and understands what you specifically need.
With Rickard Swärd as hotel director, the ambition is to continue developing Profilhotels Calmar Stadshotell based on the hotel’s history and existing strengths, while strengthening its relationship with the local community.
Rickard Swärd took up the position of hotel director at Profilhotels Calmar Stadshotell in September 2026.
Profilhotels is for those who want to stay centrally located with personal service, style, and care in every detail. With us, you’ll find environments with character, carefully designed to make you feel both welcome and well cared for. The light, style, and atmosphere work together – whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure. You’ll find Profilhotels at ten Swedish destinations and in central Copenhagen. We are a smaller hotel chain – and it shows in the best possible way. Each of our hotels has its own style, with strong local roots and a personal touch.
Read more: www.ligula.se/sv/profilhotels