Our Story
Balestrand Hotel is owned by Theodor Sigurdsson Kvikne, Per Áki Sigurdsson Kvikne and Randi Sognnæs Aamot. Sofie is our General Manager, and Anna is Head of Events and Communications. During the summer months, we are joined by a fantastic team of seasonal staff who help keep the hotel running.
The hotel has 30 rooms, a cosy reception and bar, and a beautiful garden that stretches all the way down to the fjord, with a beach and sauna.
We want to create a lively place for music, culture and good experiences. A place where you can stop by for a coffee or a drink, enjoy a concert or exhibition, attend an event or simply spend time by the fjord. Above all, we want the hotel to be a meeting place for locals and visitors alike, in what we believe is Norway's most beautiful village.
Balestrand Hotel has been in our family for many years. Our aunt Unni Marie and uncle Eric ran the hotel throughout our childhood. We spent many summers here with our cousins, and we also worked here during the summers when we were younger, so the hotel has been part of our lives in more ways than one.
When Unni Marie and Eric decided to sell the hotel and move back to California, we wanted to keep it in the family. So, in the winter of 2021, we took over, ready to give the hotel a new chapter.
We are lucky to have the support of our family at Kviknes Hotel, who have decades of experience running a hotel. Their advice and support have been invaluable to us. Guests staying at Balestrand Hotel also receive a discount on the breakfast buffet at Kviknes Hotel.
Music, Culture and Community
Music has always been a big part of our lives. Per Áki is the artist behind Kjartan Lauritzen, while Theodor is his manager and also DJs at their concerts. It therefore felt natural for us to make music and live events an important part of the hotel, too.
In fact, the very same year we opened, we organised our own festival: Balestrand Badeklubb Festival. What started as a one day festival the 27 of August 2022 has since grown into a full festival weekend, with two days of music, culture and fun every July. The festival welcomes both locals and visitors to Balestrand, bringing people together for a weekend of great experiences in the heart of the village.
Want to know more? Take a look at videos from previous festivals or visit the festival website.
A Documentary Series on NRK
When news broke that we were moving back home to take over the hotel, we were contacted by NRK, Norway's national public broadcaster. They wanted to make a documentary series following the entire process, from taking over and renovating the hotel to reopening its doors, including all the ups and downs along the way. It was an opportunity we simply couldn't pass up!
You can check out the series here:
