Hotel of the Month, Norway
A unique boutique hotel in Stavanger Situated at Ullandhaug, in close connection to the University of Stavanger, is a new hotel with a unique vision for corporate social responsibility. Ydalir Hotel is a nonprofit boutique hotel that prides itself on giving back – every stay here benefits the university. Whether you are on holidays or on a business trip, if you are looking for a quiet place to unwind, Ydalir Hotel makes an excellent choice. By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Sindre Ellingsen
Ydalir Hotel was a gift from the Smedvig family to the University of Stavanger. In 2015, the company Smedvig celebrated its 100th anniversary by giving the hotel to the region, with the wish to prioritise gifts and sponsorship funds specifically aimed towards children and youth. “All of the hotel’s proceeds are donated to the University of Stavanger every year. The funds then contribute to the furthering of research and education by helping to support future scholarships and other means, which again will benefit the region in a long-term perspective. So, every stay with us will benefit the university, the students and the region,” says Martin Sagen, gener86 | Issue 133 | February 2020
al manager at Ydalir Hotel. Today, the hotel operates commercially, but with close links to the Norwegian School of Hotel Management, which is located at the university. Based just outside of Stavanger city centre, a thriving and active area close to numerous attractions, beautiful nature and more than 150 different businesses, Ydalir Hotel sets the bar for campus hotels in Scandinavia. After opening its doors in March 2018, the young hotel has quickly gained popularity. “2018 was all about establishing and laying a good foundation; it takes time for a new hotel to get a name in such a chain-dominated
market, like the one we have here in Norway. However, 2019 was a good year with steady growth, and in the last six months we obtained the same level as the industry standard in Stavanger, and we’re now already operating profitably,” says Sagen.
A name from Norse mythology You might be wondering where the name Ydalir comes from. Well, the area which the hotel is situated in, Ullandhaug, got its name from the Norse God, Ull, whose home was called Ydalir. “The name is a direct link between the hotel and Norse mythology, which you can find many traces of in this area,” says Sagen. Nearby the hotel you can, for instance, find the Iron Age Farm visiting centre, with a rebuilt model village to visit, and also Swords in Rock, which is a famous landmark to commemorate the battle of Hafrsfjord, both reflecting Norway’s Viking heritage.