Former carpentry turned culture hub and seaside design hotel in Lofoten, Norway

Trevarefabrikken / Henningsvær / Lofoten / Norway

Lofoten has been on my wish list for the longest time. I have seen photos from friends who have been there and been totally awestruck by the surreal-looking scenery. And when I finally got to go, there was so much to do and see it was almost crippling at first. But one thing was very easy, and that was to chose what hotel to stay at. In my book, there is only one, Trevarefabrikken and I think you’ll understand why when you read this post and look at the photos.

This place came about due to coincidence. In 2014 a group of friends were hiking in the area and they learned that there was an old carpentry up for sale in picturesque Henningsvær. This plant was established back in the 1940s and over the years it has been both a cod liver oil production plant and a shrimp peeling plant (The onsite restaurant is called Hermetikken which is Norwegian for cannery).

Among this hiking group of friends were two brothers and they saw the potential and decided to buy the old plant. In 2016 they opened an outdoor bar and in 2017 they finally got their loan application approved and could start the refurbishment to create the place they had imagined. In Summer of 2017 they officially opened Trevarefabrikken when the renovation of the ground floor was all done and in 2018 the first four hotel rooms were completed and the first hotel guests were welcomed. The year after, in 2019 the extension of an extra 8 rooms were initiated, designed by Jonathan Tuckey Design (who is also the mastermind behind Michelberger in Berlin), and they were completed right in time for the 2020 Summer season. Today Trevarefabrikken is a meeting place, connecting the locals with us visitors through culture, design, music and good food.

The hotel reeks of industrial elements and heritage with exposed, battered concrete walls and a lot of the old machinery that has been preserved and are on display in the hotel. But as soon as you enter the hotel room, the rawness is exchanged for softness. The rooms still have some industrial features but the dominating feeling is coziness with wooden panelling, hushed blue tones and soft lighting.

But in all honesty, even though the interior is stunning, this is a place you come to to explore the outdoors. Lofoten is beyond amazing, regardless of what time of year you come here. The combination of dramatic mountains and the clear, emerald colored sea is breathtaking. Below I have listed my three favorite hikes in the Lofoten region. Remember to bring the right gear, the weather can change fast in this part of the world. And enjoy some of the most stunning vistas you have ever seen. This much I can promise you.

The road to get to Henningsvær and Trevarefabrikken is so dramatic. Everywhere you look there are vistas that take your breath away.

The first thing you encounter is the massive bar/restaurant/common area. A great area to have a drink, play some games and have a beer or two.

The reception is hidden in the old elevator shaft.

Heading upstairs to the rooms. The majority of the rooms are located on the first floor.

A lot of the old machinery are on display in the first floor corridor.

We stayed in one of the Carpenter Rooms. Minimalist but still with a warm feeling.

It is all about the details. And at Trevarefabrikken, no details have been left to chance.

The color scheme in our room was all hushed tones, complimented with wood floors and concrete ceiling.

Simplicity and minimalism. Always a huge fan of real plants in hotel rooms.

Our bathroom. So clever how the wooden element from the room continues into the bathroom, connecting the two spaces.

The bathroom products from Sevje smelled so good. I just wish they would sell them in the in-house shop.

Upstairs, at the end of the corridor there is a bright common room, facing the sea. A perfect spot to write this blog.

If you, like me, take your coffee seriously you don’t have to worry. The coffee at Trevarefabrikken is superb!

I love this vintage tile floor at the entrance to the cafe.

I preferred to bring my coffee with me into the common area and snuggle up in one of the sofas. Preferably one close to the windows so I could watch the roaring sea and see if I could spot any orcas.

Much of the industrial elements and look & feel has been kept as a raw and beautiful reminder of the past of the building. This is the wall in the common area.

The back of the building facing the sea. You can see how the salty sea water is taking a tool of the exterior of the building. I must say I like the somewhat stressed looking exterior.

One could only imagine how great it must be to sit her in the sun enjoying a pizza. Wasn’t quite the case during our stay… But I still love this photo. Feels very typical for the Scandi Summers.

The pizzas (although we couldn’t enjoy them outside by the water) still tasted just as good. They were baked outside in the massive wood fired oven and had to be shielded from the rain when brought inside by the waiter.

In the back of the hotel you’ll find the sauna.

The sauna can be booked for private use which we did. I love the contrast between the cold, blue tones on the outside and…

…the golden, warm tones on the inside. And the view!!

Morning at Trevarefabrikken is a calm and quiet affair. At least when you like us raise with the rooster, as we say in Swedish.

Upstairs on the second floor, there is a yoga room facing the sea.

Lofoten is a place to go outdoors and explore. This is from one of my favorite hikes, Hoven taking you up to top of one of the most iconic mountains in the area. Here is me on my way up.

We made it to the top, 365 meters above sea level.

The second of my three favorite hikes is Mannen, starting from the Haukland Beach. This is M stopping to take in the sights on the way up.

Me heading for the top with the Haukland Beach in the background.

The view from the top of Mannen, 400 meters above sea level. The beach and the water!

The third of my favorite hikes is Reinebringen. Basically it is almost 1600 steps taking you from sea level to 448 meters above sea level. A challenge for the legs and your vertigo.

I made it to the top. M said I look like a bee keeper in this outfit.

And on the topic of rewards, this is the famous fish burger at Anitas Sjømat, on Sakrisøya close to Reine.

And one thing that must not be missed is to drive all the way to the end of the road, where Lofoten ends. There you’ll find the small village of Å and some really dramatic scenery. Looks like something out of Game of Thrones or Lord of the rings.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…are a nature lover and you want to have a perfect starting point for your Lofoten adventure. If you like a touch of hipster to your hotel even if you are staying far from any big city and you appreciate hotels with a vibe and contemporary look & feel, you will love Trevarefabrikken.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is the location. Maybe this is boring, but it is difficult not to have this as my favorite thing considering how stunning this region is. And the coffee! I love hotels where there is seriously delicious coffee. And the pizzas. And the… ok, I will stop there.

What not to miss when staying here is…

…to bring the right kind of gear for the season and just go outside. There is so much to experience and do in Lofoten. I love hiking and we went here with a friend who goes here every year and she took us to some really amazing trails. And don’t miss the beaches with their white sand and crystal clear (and cold) water. This is a place to be active and to explore.

If you like this hotel you might also like…

Furillen, Gotland, Sweden

Dexamenes, Peloponnese, Greece

ION Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir, Iceland