Scan Magazine | Mini Theme | Historical Hotels in Norway
Left: Dalen Hotel is located near the Telemark canal in a gorgeous 123-year-old building. Top right: The food at the hotel is a mix between Scandinavian and French. Right: General manager Malin Jernberg prides herself of the authentic historical feel the hotel provides.
A day in the life of a Dalen Hotel guest Picture yourself stepping onto a boat on the Telemark Canal to be taken on a cultural-historical journey through a grand Norwegian landscape – known to locals as the world’s eighth wonder – and enjoy a welcome drink and a good meal in the boat’s very own restaurant. By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Skodde Studio
carte menu as well as three-, four- or five-course set menus, and following the meal you can enter the saloon bar where you can enjoy a coffee and a piano concert running from 6pm until midnight every single night.
Arriving at your destination at Dalen Pier, the end station of the canal, you are greeted by a concierge in a red costume who will carry your luggage to his yellow veteran bus and transport you to your hotel. Although the hotel is known as ‘the hotel from the fairy tales’, this is not imagination but real life and simply the experience of any guest staying at Dalen Hotel.
Go to bed in a gorgeous room featuring privately imported products from Indonesia, sleep in a Jensen ambassador bed and listen to the waterfall outside as you drift off. Wake up to a historical breakfast buffet before going on a hike or back on the canal boat, and come to realise that fairy tales do exist in the hotel world.
Checking in at the front desk by the grand double fireplace, it becomes clear that the romantic hotel sells experiences – not just overnight stays. After being handed your room keys, you go to your luxurious bedroom and enjoy a glass of port and some fine chocolate, change into your best outfit and go to the garden for a game of croquet, or to the on-site arboretum. 76 | Issue 104 | September 2017
For those wanting an active stay, there are plenty of hiking and biking opportunities, and the hotel provides guests with the opportunity to rent rowing boats and electric bikes. Stave churches and museums are also located nearby. Coming back into the hotel, you enjoy an afternoon tea and some Champagne, followed by a game of chess with your loved one. At 5pm – every single day – listen to the story of the hotel, which first opened back in 1894. Have an aperitif in the restaurant before enjoying a meal by Swedish head chef Alexander, who previously worked in a Michelin-star restaurant, and enjoy the wine or beer pairings by the several on-site sommeliers. There is an à la
A romantic package The most popular choice for Dalen guests is the romantic package, featuring an overnight stay, a threecourse dinner, Champagne, chocolate, an aperitif and afternoon tea.
Web: www.dalenhotel.no