History
Discover Hotel Union Øye, which once hosted Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany, and King Oscar II of Sweden.
Hotel Union Øye was constructed during the historic reign of the United Kingdom’s famed Queen Victoria, who sat on the British throne from 1837 to 1901.
Established in 1891, Hotel Union Øye gained fame when the aristocracy and luminaries of Europe sought experiences to indulge in nature without sacrificing luxury and comfort. With its convenient location amid the peaceful Hjørundfjord, Hotel Union Øye was praised for its glorious intimacy by royalty. Many of Europe’s leading monarchs at the time fell in love with the Hotel Union Øye, including Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany, and King Oscar II of Sweden. Even Norway’s own Queen Maud and King Haakon VII stayed here for a while. Today, the decor and authenticity of Hotel Union Øye remains very much the same, inviting a journey into the past to when international dignitaries once roamed the halls.
Famous Historic Guests
- Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (1890 – 1948)
- Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany (1888 – 1918)
- King Oscar II of Sweden (1872 – 1907)
- Queen Maud of Norway (1905 – 1907)
- King Haakon VII of Norway (1905 – 1957)
- Karen Blixen, celebrated author known for writing Out of Africa (1885 - 1962)
- Knut Hamsun, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature (1959 - 1952)
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who authored the world-famous The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1859 - 1930)
- Edvard Grieg, who is among the most renowned composer from the Romantic era (1843 - 1907)
- Henrik Ibsen, celebrated playwright who wrote such works like Peer Gynt and A Doll’s House (1828 - 1906)
- Roald Amundsen, who led the first successful expedition to the South Pole in 1911 (1872 - 1928)
