Date: 22.04.22

About Havgrím Seaside Hotel 1948

Everyone in the Faroe Islands is familiar with the impressive, white house – known as the Commodore’s House – situated on the main road Yviri við Strond in Tórshavn. Many will have dreamt of living there or, at the very least, of having the chance to see inside.

Now that the house has been turned into a hotel – Havgrím Seaside Hotel 1948 – this is possible.”

Built in 1948, just three years after the end of the Second World War, it was a house like none other in the Faroe Islands.

The location of the house is quite special, some would even say poetic. To the south-east of the house is Eystfalssker, a rocky mass protruding from the sea and well-known from the Faroese folk song “Í góðum veðri hann dyrgdi”, by the famous poet Hans A. Djurhuus.

The Johannesen family moved into this stylish house in 1948. Unfortunately, they were not able to enjoy the house that Havgrím had put so much effort into building, for a very long time. In the early 1950s, a financial crisis hit the Faroes. The Sjóvinnubankin went bankrupt and Havgrím lost his house as a result.

The Danish Navy purchased the house and since then, 21 Danish Commodores and their families have made the house their home. Hanging in the entrance hall is a list of the names of all the dignitaries who have lived there.

The last Commodore left in 2013 and an agreement was made with the Danish State, that the Faroese Government would take over responsibility for the house. However, in 2016 the Government decided to sell the house.

06.06.2017 Ltd. purchased the property on the 1st of February 2017

Havgrímur Johannesen from Tórshavn built the house. It was designed by Eyðálvur á Heygum to Havgrím’s specifications, taking inspiration from his many sailing trips to Great Britain. The house was to have a stately entrance, conservatory with steps leading down to the garden, a study and servant’s rooms.

My experience at the hotel.

I checked in at hotel Havgrím on a Wednesday evening just before the Easter holidays started. My first impression was the welcoming atmosphere there was at the reception. Once I got the key to my room, the lovely lady at the reception explained to me about when and where the breakfast was. Then she gave me a card to fill out what I like to get for breakfast. They do this because they minimize the waste of food, which is a great idea.

I went downstairs to my room which was nice and tidy as you may expect. I especially liked this room because it was ground level and I could open the door from my room and go out to the front yard where there were some tables,chairs and a hot tub.

The next day I went to grab breakfast at about 9am. It was so quiet, there was me and a couple. The lady that prepared the breakfast came to me and asked me what I would like to drink. Once I told her she served it to me on my table. I really enjoyed eating breakfast there while enjoying the sea view and Nólsoy island in the background.

Another thing that I really enjoyed during the day and in the evening was sitting down at the breakfast area and doing some photo editing work. One of the people that works there came to me and asked me if I needed anything. They served me a drink… It was just so relaxing to work while enjoying a nice cool drink.

One evening before I checked out from the hotel, I tried the hot tub. It was so relaxing to sit there while listening to the ocean with a nice cold drink with me.

To know more about Hotel Havgrím visit their website here

If you need an itinerary to plan your trip to the Faroe Islands, I got you covered! click here

© Saviour Mifsud 2023