It’s easy to understand why the first people decided to settle in what is today Nesheimstunet. Situated on the western shore of the idyllic lake Storavatnet, and with short distances to deep fjords and rivers, it’s not just a fertile area, but a beautiful one too.

Bjørn Steinar Nesheim and his wife Elisabeth trace their family back to the very people who have lived and worked on this land since the fifteenth century. Today, they run a hotel and events venue on their farm, inspired by hundreds of years of family history—and making use of their scenic surroundings.

“With our unique location, we can offer our guests a variety of experiences, all within short distances,” Elisabeth explains.

“If you like fishing, you can choose between deep water fjords, salmon rivers, and crystal-clear mountain lakes with the most exclusive trout. Or you can go with your loved ones to explore the many hiking opportunities in the surrounding area.”

But you don’t have to be a fishing enthusiast to enjoy a stay at Nesheimstunet. Elisabeth and Bjørn put on many other activities, including concerts and art exhibitions. Or you can simply relax on the farm and enjoy the homemade food, such as slow-cooked meat, cinnamon rolls, and other baked goods.

Plus, all sorts of events take place in the restored historic barn at Nesheimstunet, including weddings, confirmations, business seminars, and more.

“When the old barn was restored, we found an old symbol carved into one of the beams,” Elisabeth tells us.

“An archaeologist confirmed that it was an old fertility symbol, which was used only for a period of around 10 years during the late 1400s and early 1500s. We can assume the barn dates back to this period too.”

But at Nesheimstunet, history doesn’t just shape the place where you stay—it informs the way that Elisabeth and Bjørn host you too. For the couple, as well as for their ancestors, sustainability remains a central motivator.

“The people that lived here before us were good at using the resources at their disposal and not wasting anything, so it’s natural for us to continue that trend,” Elisabeth explains.

It helps that the farm has an abundance of local produce available to it, and Elisabeth and Bjørn try to order as much as possible from these local producers and companies, including organic flour for their bakes. It’s just one way that Nesheimstunet forms an important part of the community.

“Local farmers deliver produce to us. And many of their children get their first experience of work life when they get a job as waiting staff at one of our events. Who knows—perhaps they’ll come to get married here at Nesheimstunet sometime in the future!”

For Elisabeth, this insistence on community is fundamental to how the farm has been run for generations—and it’s an attitude that contributes to make Nesheimstunet a welcoming and unique place to stay.

“If we’re fully booked, I’m more than happy to recommend another place nearby. That’s how our ancestors survived here, by cooperation, and that’s how we do things even today,” Elisabeth explains.

“We want to welcome our guests into this community too. Whether you’re a royal or a pauper, you’ll be greeted with the same ‘Så kjekt å sjå deg!’ [‘So nice to see you!’]. This way, we hope to make guests feel part of the family and the history that’s embedded within these walls.”