OnePlace.com via myPod: OnePlace.com via myPod: OnePlace.com via myPod: OnePlace.com via myPod: OnePlace.com via myPod: OnePlace.com via myPod: OnePlace.com via myPod: OnePlace.com via myPod: OnePlace.com via myPod: OnePlace.com via myPod: OnePlace.com vi

“ 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 Tysnes Islands

Other Must See Norwegian Destinations: Rosendal, Finse, Odda, Lofoten, Romsdalen, Svalbard, Tvedestrand

Sommerro House and Amerikalinjen in Oslo

Anne Margrete Klohs of Hotel Park in Bergen

Visit For Yourself
Vertshuset Konow Website | @vertshusetkonow