Hotel Havgrím: An uninterrupted stay in unspoiled, peaceful surroundings
By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Havgrím Seaside Hotel 1948
Enjoy a freshly brewed cup of world-class coffee, wrap yourself in a big, fluffy robe after relaxing in the hot tub, and wake up to a delicious breakfast made from local ingredients. Havgrím Seaside Hotel 1948 offers guests an exquisite stay, and you will leave feeling recharged, at peace and grounded. The boutique hotel has a rich history worth exploring, too, when you’re not gazing at the ocean or enjoying some tasty treats.
Located by the sea on Úti við Strond, only a stone’s throw from the historic fort Skansin and within easy walking distance to Tórshavn town, you’ll find the Havgrím Seaside Hotel 1948, a boutique hotel with an emphasis on attention to personal service, and where the staff always go the extra mile for their guests. Almost all 14 rooms have stunning ocean views and have been designed with inspiration from the fjord. The calming colours are inspired by the ocean, the fields, and the ever-changing sky in the Faroe Islands.
“The hotel is like a little oasis situated on the shore. Many of our guests come here to unwind and get away from all the hustle and bustle and the busyness of life. It is a very calming and peaceful place with a personal touch. Most of the guests are so mesmerised by the tranquillity of the ocean that they simply sit and watch it for hours, while listening to the waves as they crash against the rocks,” Jenny A. í Heiðunum, general manager at the hotel, explains.
While staying at the hotel, it will no doubt feel like your second home. The attentive staff will be at your service and help you with anything you may need, whether you’re looking for restaurant recommendations, boat trips, the best hikes or anything else. “We care deeply about each and every guest and we take great pride in helping our guests with anything and everything. We will do our best to ensure that the stay at our beautiful and historic hotel is unforgettable,” í Heiðunum adds.
Staying at Hotel Havgrím, you’ll get the feeling that you are far away from everything, but in reality, it’s only a seven-minute walk from the town centre, the old part of Tórshavn, and a bouquet of restaurants and the coffeehouse, Kaffihúsið.
The great white house
The mother-and-daughter owned hotel opened its doors in April 2018, after restoring the impressive Commodore’s House, also known among locals as the White House. The house, which has always been surrounded by a veil of mysticism among the locals, has a rich and interesting history dating back to 1948, when it was built by Havgrímur Johannesen from Tórshavn, whom the hotel is also named after. Built just a couple of years after the end of World War II, the house was like no other house ever built on the Faroe Islands.
“The house was designed by Eyðálvur á Heygum, inspired by Havgrím’s many sailing trips to Great Britain, and in particular Scotland. The house was very impressive, stylish, and extremely modern for its time,” says Lis Eklund, the mother and one of the owners.
Unfortunately, the Johannesen family only got to live in the big, beautiful house for just a few years, as the family went bankrupt when a financial crisis hit the Faroe Islands in the early 1950s. The Danish Navy then purchased the house and since then, 21 Danish Commodores and their families have lived in the house. The last Commodore left in 2013, and the Faroese Government took over responsibility of the house until in 2016, they sold it to the new owners and the house was transformed into the beautiful boutique hotel that it is today.
“When restoring the house, it was important to us to keep the history of the house alive. For instance, we have a list of the names of all the dignitaries who have lived here hanging in the reception,” Eklund explains.
Sustainability at the forefront
“We use eco-friendly products, including fair trade and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. All the energy at the hotel comes from our own geothermal source, and we use eco-friendly shower heads,” says Eklund.
With its peaceful atmosphere, beautiful surroundings and appetising breakfast, Havgrím Seaside Hotel 1948 is not only the perfect place to stay when visiting the Faroe Islands; it is also the perfect place for board meetings, business meetings, bridal showers, weddings and so much more.
Web: www.hotelhavgrim.fo Facebook: hotelhavgrim Instagram: @havgrimseasidehotel1948
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