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106 years of hotel history

You may think it seems sought to choose an English style here in the mountains of Norway, but it has been completely conscious. It was the English who in the 18th century taught Norwegians to go to the mountains for the sake of adventure, not just for hunting and fishing.

There were also our neighbors in the west who taught us fly fishing - The Noble Art of Fishing - and hunting birds with standing dogs.


LARS HYRUM IS THE FOUNDER OF THE HOTEL, AS IT APPEARS TODAY



OUR HISTORY



A residential building turnes into a hotel

Geilo Mountain Lodge has a 106 years history. It was Anne Rønsgård who built "Fjordblink", the two-story log house in the beginning of 1917. Rønsgård, who had no heirs, gave the property to Olav and Sigrid Uthus in 1934. They rebuilt the private residence into a guest house with 14 guest beds, and It was Sigrid who, with her good cooking skills, was responsible for the food. When Sigrid Uthus died, Olav gave the guest house as a gift to Ringerike Hospital, which used it for a holiday resort for its employees. In 1977 Egil and Elsa Walhovd, the owners of Bardøla Høyfjellshotell, bought the guest house and continued the hotel operation.


The big change


The really big change comes when Lars Hyrum bought the guest house in 2000. At this time, the property was very dilapidated and Hyrum, together with interior designer Christina Schaanning, started an extensive rehabilitation work. They decided to make an English styled accommodation. The goal was to create an atmosphere of the 1920s England, with hand picking furniture, doors, fireplaces, crockery and textiles. Christina and Lars traveled around England, Sweden and Norway to find the right items.

- You may think it seems sought to choose English here in the mountains of Norway, but it has been completely conscious. It was the English who in the 18th century taught Norwegians to go to the mountains for the sake of adventure, not just for hunting and fishing, says Lars. There were also our neighbors in the west who taught us fly fishing, The Noble Art of Fishing, and hunting birds with standing dogs.

The guest house does not recall much about what one traditionally associates with the word, with spartan rooms with washbasin and wc in the hallway, or charmless dining room with food. No, at Geilo Höifjeldspesionat everything is done with high quality in every aspect. 



6th generation takes over


In 2018, Lars Hyrum decided it was time to hand over the hotel to someone else. From early 2019, it is Jan Soløy, with his daughter Julie and red setter Dennis, who has taken on the responsible task of continuing 90 years of history, which was truly initiated by the couple Uthus in the 30s. Particularly rewarding Soløy thinks it is to bring the baton and carry on what masterpiece Lars Hyrum and Christina Schaanning have built up from nothing.

Initially, when I considered buying the hotel, I told my parents that there is a tremendous and unwavering responsibility on the shoulders of the person taking over the property. The house is an architectural gem and an interior piece of jewelery!

Guests have been provided with unique personal service and top-quality food. That is exactly what we will do in the future.

JAN SOLØY   |  HOST

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