“I’ve always loved being out in nature, but I have to be honest I’ve never liked sleeping in a tent! We launched Grend as a way to solve this problem—and to bring guests closer to the natural world in comfort.”
We’re talking to Aziz Chaer, the CEO of sustainable cabin producer, Omgi, about the new venture, Grend, which he founded in 2023.
“In Norwegian, Grend means ‘hamlet’ and that’s what we want to create. We select prime locations across Norway where we build small communities of boutique cabins, set in the heart of nature, with the smallest possible footprint.”
Today, there are four Grend hamlets, in Bø, Blefjell, An island outside Stavanger and Stavern, each one set in a natural world, away from the demands of modern life. They’re places where guests can leave their daily stresses behind, immerse themselves in nature’s greenery and peace, and adopt a slower rhythm.
“Each location is a unique community, a slow travel experience for stillness and relief. The cabins are arranged so that, when you’re inside, it’s just you and nature. Even with the doors thrown open, you can feel completely alone, with just the sounds of birds or the breeze in the trees. But when you go outside, you’ll be in the centre of a little village surrounded by nature,” Aziz explains.
When you hear the word “cabin”, though, you shouldn’t think of accommodation that’s austere, spartan, or in any way basic. Grend’s concept is all about bringing hotel-style comfort to the outdoors, with minimal environmental impact.
“Grend is about making the traditional cabin modern, and to give the guest a feeling of being in a 5-star hotel room out in nature,” Aziz says. The Norwegian-made cabins are fitted with state-of-the-art facilities and technology. For instance, guests can use an guestportal to manage their entire stay—including access to the cabins by your phone.”
The guestportal also gives guests access to a marketplace of local produce and experiences. For instance, through Grend, you can order a basket made up of food from local farmers, or book a guided hiking tour, fishing experience, or, at Stavern, even a round of golf. It’s another way that guests become part of the local community—even when deep in nature.
“Grend is not just a stay in the cabin in the woods. Rather, since we launched our first site, we’ve been working really hard to find new ways to enhance the guest experience. And so far, we’ve been really humbled by the response!”
Aziz and the team at Grend aren’t stopping there. After they open the first location in north Norway at Steigen in October, there are a further four hamlets planned in the year ahead, including in Lofoten, Vesterålen, and Lyngsalps.
“We’re really excited about seeing how Grend grows. We think we’re doing something really unique, by tapping into a really widespread desire. Ultimately, more and more people want stays in nature that are sustainable, low-footprint, and that make a positive contribution locally. We define the experience as a quiet luxury, and we believe that’s what we all need from time to time.”
