S7. | E15. Vertshuset Konow | Bergen, Norway | Monica Gjesdahl Intimately Invites Guests And Locals Alike To Experience Bergen’s Smallest Yet Ever So Popular Hotel

“  I want the guests to feel that the hosting at this place is very personal. And as for the restaurant, that it's cozy, that it's a good atmosphere, that it’s popular and unfussy. Of course, the food and the drinks should be good. I want guests to feel that they still are coming to a home and a house where it's good to just be.” 

We’re in great company with Monica Gjesdahl, the creative mind and general manager behind Vertshuset Konow, a stately, yet unassuming inn just outside of Bergen. Here, so many good experiences are gathered in one place - paired with good stories and good food, loved by locals and travelers alike. 

What was once a family villa built in 1929 by the famous architect Frederik Konow Lund, is now known as Bergen’s smallest yet ever so popular hotel - housing tastefully decorated suites, a cozy seasonal restaurant, and a calendar full of events and experiences. 

In this episode, Monica shares so many bites worth savoring - from career words of wisdom, to travel tips and tricks around Norway, to dreams for Konow and its growing community.   

Top Takeaways

[2:00] How Monica’s love of travel and passion for creating experiences finally pushed her to become a host herself, and all it took was a conversation over coffee.    

[6:20] What was once a countryside villa built by a famous Norwegian Architect, Frederik Konow Lund back in 1929, housed many fond memories for the Rieber family - which they still reminisce about today as guests of Vertshuset Konow. 

[11:20] Today, the architecture of Konow has been preserved and modernized with the highest quality interiors, making it “a stately yet unassuming inn,” with its luxury amenities and rich decorations - as no expense was spared, no detail left unturned. 

[14:20] Just outside the window, guests can find a peaceful escape, where a short walk through the forest down to the boathouse opens up a world of opportunities - from swimming to kayaking to sauna-ing, and more. 

[14:45] Expect to Dine In Good Company at Konow’s unpretentious yet ever so popular restaurant, offering a weekend bakery and brunch, and a stellar wine and cider cellar - where good hospitality, good food and drink is a given.

[18:20] Travelers and locals alike can experience this intimate inn bustling with life, no matter the season - from a state-of-the-art fitness center to shared office spaces, from chef takeovers to wine tastings, from fireside chats to floating saunas. 

Notable Mentions

• RÅ Skincare
• Halvor Bakke Interior Design
• Eichholtz Interior Design
• Troldhaugen, Home of Composer Edvard Greig
• Ostegården’s World Famous Fanaost Cheese
• Humlepung by Aga Sideri in Hardanger
• Issideren by Kvestad Sideri in Hardanger
• Luca Leggero’s Italian Wines
• Storfjord’s Norwegian Brown Cheese Ice Cream
• Nesttun Shops: Litleré Mat, Phillipa, Ane Blich, Nougat Paradis 
• About Bergen: Fanafjellet and Smøråsfjellet Hikes, Austevoll and