Explore historical Lillehammer with Aksjemøllen

Once a cornerstone of industry in Lillehammer, today Aksjemøllen is a stylish boutique hotel where historical charm meets modern comfort.

Perched by the rushing Mesna River, just a stone’s throw from the town’s main street, Aksjemøllen boutique hotel is all about history, intimate surroundings, and good service.

“Aksjemøllen’s history goes all the way back to 1863, when the mill house was built and the mill was put in operation. The milling was essential for the development of Lillehammer as a market town, and Aksjemøllen had a favourable location right by the town’s lifeline, the Mesna River,” says manager Hanna Stenberg.

Operations continued until 1991, when Lillehammer was preparing to host the 1994 Winter Olympics. “Mølla Hotel was started after an idea from the architecture firm Halvorsen and Reine, who saw the old mill standing there like a withered stalk,” she says.

The building was saved and transformed into a hotel, bar and restaurant, opening in 1992. Although the initial plan was to shut down after the Olympics, guests appreciated the unique experience so much that the hotel continued. In 2021, the hotel joined the Norwegian-owned Classic Norway Hotels, known for the distinctive historical properties. Major renovations followed, and the new Aksjemøllen reopened in January 2022.

“Aksjemøllen now appears as a warm and intimate little boutique hotel, with details that reinforce the story,” says Stenberg. Each of the hotel’s 58 rooms (or grain chambers) features Wonderland beds, extra-long down duvets, TVs with Chromecast, coffee machines, premium tea, and exclusive toiletries. “In our lobby, guests can enjoy a small art collection, regularly replaced by Galleri Z. There’s also an opportunity to purchase local handmade products in the lobby shop.”

The hotel’s breakfast is served at Egon restaurant, located in the original mill house from 1863. Here, you can see flour sacks and equipment from the milling days. Further up, one of the hotel’s most beloved features is Toppen Skybar, a stylish cocktail lounge on top of the old grain silo. “Toppen Skybar, which sits at the top of the old grain silo, has panoramic views over Lillehammer and draws visitors from near and far with its inventive cocktails, mocktails and signature drinks of very high quality.”

The hotel offers everything you might need for a homely stay, despite being small. In fact, Stenberg believes the hotel’s intimate size is a strength. “With us, you don’t disappear in the crowd, and you experience real and personal service.”

Web: www.aksjemollen.no