About
Dr. Holms

Dr. Holms has been part of the mountain destination Geilo since the beginning. It opened on the same day as Bergensbanen (the Bergen Line: the railway between Bergen and Oslo), on the 27th of November 1909, and has survived changing times as well as hurricane-force gusts and a cold climate. There is hardly a høyfjellshotell (Norwegian word for hotels situated in the mountains) that represents Norwegian history to the extent that Dr. Holms does.

About Dr. Holms

The enjoyment of living can also be moderation

Dr. Ingebrikt Christian Holm

[wpseo_breadcrumb]

The White Queen

The white wooden building towers majestically over Geilo. The hotel was originally built as a sanatorium by Dr. Ingebrikt Chr. Lund Holm in 1909. It has since then had at least nine lives. We are very proud and humbled by our history. Dr. Holms has always been, and still is, the place where clean mountain air, activities and well-being are key ingredients.

The hotel has grown over the years. It has developed into a resort offering a wide range of experiences and activities. We are the mountain hotel at Geilo with long traditions and a soulful prescence.

Our history

On the same day as H.M. King Haakon VII opened Bergensbanen (the Bergen Line) at Geilo, Dr. Holm’s Sanatorium opened its doors. A new era comprising business establishments and development came to the valley and the mountain village of Geilo. This was the start of Geilo as a dream destination for people seeking recreation/ recreational activities and well-being.

Scroll sideways on the arrows for the full story

1909

The hotel opened
Doctor Ingebrikt Christian Holm was a specialist in respiratory diseases. In 1909, he utilized his knowledge and founded Dr. Holms Høyfjellshotell. In the beginning, Dr. Holms Hotel was a sanatorium for people from Oslo and Bergen who benefited from the fresh mountain air.
1916

Sold to Norsk Hotelcompagnie
(Norway’s first hotel chain, owned by the Bergen Steamship Company and Fred Olsen) In 1916 Dr. Holms left the hotel, and the following year it was sold to Hotelcompagnie a/ s. Dr. Holms’ former sanatorium became very popular amongst wealthy families from Oslo and Bergen, as well as nobles visiting from Denmark and England. Celebrities such as Knut Hamsun and Sonja Henie visited the hotel on a regular basis, laying the foundations for the hotel’s attraction amongst domestic and international VIPs.
1940

Occupied by the Germans
Throughout World War II, the hotel was occupied by the Germans. Fortunately, the Norwegian resistance movement took over the control in May 1945 and made Dr. Holms their temporary headquarters.
1945

Same owner as before the war - new management
Large and small scandals followed the arrival of Danish guests and a Danish management in 1975. Danish celebrities and playboys threw wild parties at the hotel that didn’t exactly improve the hotel’s reputation. Works of art disappeared, old guests moved to Geilo Hotel and the Danish hotel manager was arrested for fraud.
1979

The celebrities take over
The celebrities take over (Toralv Maurstad, Christian Mohn, Alf Muller).
1982

New owner - Petter Olsen
In 1979 the hotel was bought by a Norwegian investment group, but already in 1982, the hotel was sold to Petter Olsen. Olsen subsequently received considerable praise for his hotel management. After-ski on Saturdays was particularly popular, with long queues stretching far outside the hotel with people hoping to get into the bar.
1987

Erik Sande takes over the hotel
In 1987, entrepreneur Erik Sande took over the hotel and in November 1988 the new Dr. Holms Hotel was opened, renovated for NOK 230 million. However, the new hotel did not become the success that had been expected, and it was therefore eventually put up for sale.
1993

Kredittkassen takes over
In March 1993 Christiana bank og Kredittkasse took over, and a lawyer from Kredittkassen managed the hotel until 1 September 1993. New management took over from the 1st of September 1993 and continued under new ownership until the 1st of January 1994.
1994

Fische ASA takes over
In January 1994, the family-owned company Fische ASA from Trondheim takes over, represented by Stig Fische. The company’s most important business areas are property, boats, outdoor activities, and diving equipment. The management team that was established when Kreditkassen was the owner, continues and represents a new, blossoming chapter in Dr. Holms’ history.
1999

90th anniversary
Dr. Holms is celebrating its 90th anniversary at Geilo.
2005

Expansion and new developments
Based on an ever-increasing demand for unique and distinctive products, Dr. Holms Hotel began an expansion of the hotel activities and continued the development of the hotel. Today the hotel offers even more options, including spa and wellness, bowling, and more varied options when it comes to food and drinks. In the winter of 2006/2007, the hotel extension was completed. Dr. Holms Hotel was given a new and more modern look and is today one of Scandinavia’s most popular holiday resort hotels. The hotel is steeped in history, the atmosphere is pleasant and warm, and the surroundings are beautiful and traditional. The hotel is proud to know that its guests are well looked after.
2009

100th anniversary
‘The hotel with nine lives’ – the hotel has survived changing times and weathered many storms. There is probably no other mountain hotel that represents so much Norwegian history.
2012

Real estate investment
In August 2012, Frydenbø Eiendom AS, Berland Invest AS and Nallow AS, all from Bergen, bought all the shares in Dr. Holms Hotel AS from Fische ASA. The acquisition is a real estate investment made through Holms Utvikling AS. The company name represents the firm´s main intentions: to preserve and develop the hotel and the surrounding area.
2016

New apartment building
In December 2016, Dr. Holms Hotel expanded with a new building next to the hotel. The unit consists of 24 apartments, and the hotel also has 8 new suites.
2017

Extensive renovations
In March 2017, Frydenbø Eiendom (owned by Knut Herman Gjøvaag and family) who already owned 50 percent of the share, bought the remaining 50 percent of the shares. Gjøvaag then sold 50 percent of the shares to Erling Falch Monsen’s family-owned company Bergen Hotell Gruppen. Until 2014, Falch Monsen ran three hotels in the centre of Bergen until he sold one of them, and management of all three, to the Scandic Hotels chain. He still owns the properties of Scandic Bergen City and Scandic Neptun. The plan is to build, develop and reinvest in the hotel. In the autumn of 2017, an extensive renovation of the hotel began. In spring 2018, most of the rooms have been refurbished, along with corridors and common areas.

Vacancies

With a foundation based on genuine hospitality and traditions, it is our goal to create the very best hotel experiences for our guests. We are constantly developing and are always looking for new colleagues.

E-mail us

Apprentice opportunities

Dr. Holms wants to contribute towards promoting diversity. We would like to be active in, and of service to, the local community at Geilo. Get in touch for a chat.

E-mail us