Photo: Arne Løkken
Conference of the Month, Norway
Work and relaxation in stately surroundings Eidsverket and its 250-year-old manor house were originally built in 1764 as the heart of one of eastern Norway’s most significant industrial estates. Today, however, the smithy and sawmill have stopped and turned silent, and the country manor estate has been turned into an intimate guesthouse and event space, fit for weddings, and life’s other grand occasions, at the weekends. During the week, the focus shifts to corporate events and conferences. By Andrea Bærland | Photos: Kurt Gåsø
The walls of eastern Norway’s oldest hotel, located in Bjørkelangen, only an hour’s drive from the capital and 45 minutes from Oslo Airport, holds a rich and colourful industrial and cultural history.
From the top of the tower Originally, the main house did not sport one of its now most prominent features. The tower was only erected in 1864, when the eccentric landlord Halvor Hanneborg was in charge. Not only did Hanneborg use the tower to keep a watchful eye on the over 50 allotments belonging 106 | Issue 84 | January 2016
to his estate, but he was also convinced that he could see the future in the smoke from the four chimneys on the roof of the house. From the tower you get to take in a bird’seye view of Eidsverket’s perfectly manicured gardens and the cottages Badstua, Hvilestua and Sveiserboligen, all used as guest accommodation, in addition to the manor house. “With four suites and only 18 rooms, we are under the much talked about 20-room limit, so we definitely qualify as a small and intimate ho-
tel,” says booking manager Jarle Frivold. “Due to our limited space, guests get the place to themselves for larger events such as weddings and conferences.”
An intimate gathering For corporate guests, Eidsverket offers three different conference packages: a one-day package including lunch, a breakfast-meeting package, and a ‘lunch-to-lunch’ package including all meals for up to three days. Eidsverket’s ballroom fits 80 guests for sit-down dinners, while each of the three dedicated meeting rooms hold 25. Meeting rooms are equipped with modern AV-equipment, “and if anyone wants an overhead, I’m sure we can sort that out too!” Frivold says with a smile. However, Frivold points out that, due to the space limitations, only smaller groups will be able to spend the night, making Eidsverket ideal for board meetings, strategy seminars and the like. “If a smaller group needs a place to really focus and work undisturbed, then they get the perfect opportunity to do that here. Surrounded by the forest, you really are all by yourself,” he says.