The staff will make sure that your visit to Bergen is an eventful and memorable one. “We know Bergen. We hire people who use the area and know everything there is to know about it”, Yngve says. He explains how crucial it is for Bergen Børs Hotel to have employees who are passionate about what they do – they need to have that little extra and be able to pass their enthusiasm on to the guests.

Customised experiences

“We customise experiences for our guests, and have exclusive deals with several local businesses. If you want to go and see Trolltunga, but are short on time, we can arrange for a helicopter to take you there”, he explains. There are also plenty of options when it comes to guided tours. It can be challenging to plan your stay when you don’t know a place well, but the hotel staff are more than willing to do the thinking for the guests. “Our staff make experiences of a lifetime possible for the guests. We are the place for those who are seeking the most unique experiences” Yngve establishes.

Bergen Børs Hotel is in the heart of the city centre, in close vicinity of popular attractions such as the fish market and the old wharf. However, the hotel is so grand you might be tempted to stay in some evenings. There are several excellent eating and drinking options in the old stock exchange. Handelskammeret Bar and the Michelin Star restaurant Bare Restaurant are particularly renowned, but there are plenty of options that are guaranteed to suit your preferences and tastebuds.

Celebrating the history

The stock exchange was built in 1862, and it has been an important landmark in the city ever since. Bergen Børs Hotel opened in 2017 as part of De Bergenske, which is a chain of hotels and restaurants owned and managed by the Smørås family – a local family with a genuine love and interest for the city. Before the hotel made its entrance in the former stock exchange, there were several empty rooms that were yet to prove their potential.

The classical and historical traits of the building have been merged with a modern, yet tasteful expression, and it was crucial for the owners to maintain the details and curiosities as well as celebrating the rich history of the building. “We even returned some lost features to make it even more authentic”, Yngve adds. There are plenty of hidden rooms in the building which have now been utilised, including a former prison cell in the cellar from the early days of the stock exchange. It does, however, serve a very different purpose today. It is where they keep some very precious goods – the wine collection.

Bergen Børs Hotel consists of 127 rooms and suites, all with high ceilings and large windows. They offer everything from stylish single rooms to impressive suites with harbour view. Loft suites are ideal for those who want plenty of space, but the most popular suite is the former stock exchange manager’s office. The furniture are custom made for the hotel, and modern Scandinavian design provides the interior with that unique finishing touch. It’s a place where tradition meets modernity.

A hub for the creative scene

Bergen Børs Hotel has become an important hub for the art and culture scene in Bergen. Handelskammeret bar is a particularly popular meeting place, and the passion for art is obvious when spectating the walls covered with works from a wide range of artists, including local names. They have also worked with several local musicians, including Aurora, Datarock and Sondre Lerche. Sondre had the launch party for his latest album at the hotel, and he took over the hotel’s Instagram account for the occasion.

The pandemic has emphasised how important it is for the hospitality and entertainment industry support each other. Graffiti artist Andreas Dolk approached the hotel about a special collaboration to support the hotel through the unprecedented challenges. He offered to exhibit the three artworks “Sculpture Zero Medium One”, “Infinity Pool” and “Sculpture Zero Small Seven” in selected suites at the hotel, and split the sales 50/50. This gesture from a local artist illustrates how important and appreciated Bergen Børs Hotel is for the city.