Scandic Park Hotel (formerly Rica Park Hotel) is a large hotel in Sandefjord, Norway. The Park Hotel was completed in 1960 and was the largest and most luxurious hotel in Vestfold County when established.[2] Park Hotel was built on a site that previously belonged to Sandefjord Spa.[3][4] It is located next to the harbor and near the city center. It caters for conferences, business functions, and courses. Most rooms overlook the Sandefjordsfjord. The hotel houses three restaurants: Parkstuen, Kosmos, and Vinstuen.[5] It has spa facilities, gyms, solariums, saltwater swimming pools, saunas, conference halls, and a banquet hall.[6]

Scandic Park Hotel
Map
Former namesRica Park Hotel, Hvalfangstens Hus
General information
LocationStrandpromenaden 9
3208 Sandefjord, Norway
Opening1959
OwnerScandic Hotels
ManagementScandic Hotels
Technical details
Floor count8
Design and construction
Architect(s)Arnstein Arneberg
DeveloperAnders Jahre[1]
Other information
Number of rooms349
Number of restaurants3
Website
http://scandic-park-sandefjord-hotel.hotel-ds.com/en/

The hotel was designed by architect Arnstein Arneberg, and opened as “The Whaling House” (Hvalfangstens Hus) in 1959. It was frequently visited by the shipping magnate Anders Jahre.[7]

A whale jawbone arch from a Blue whale killed in 1956 has been placed outside the hotel.[8]

History edit

The first parts of Hvalfangstens Hus were completed in the fall of 1959. The hotel was built on the former site of Socitetsbygningen which belonged to Sandefjord Spa.[9] In the 1950s, Socitetsbygningen were demolished to give room to Hvalfangstens Hus (the Whaling House).[10]

When it was established as Hvalfangstens Hus, the eighth floor was occupied by offices for Norges Hvalfangstforbund and other whaling organizations. The ninth and tenth floors occupied Anders Jahre's business offices. The hotel became the basis for modern-day tourism in Sandefjord. The Oslo City Hall was one of architect Arnstein Arneberg’s inspirations when designing the hotel. Park Hotel was highly modern for its time in the 1960s and had maids equipped with teletypewriters, waiters equipped with radio receivers, and electric doors. In 1967, a heated seawater swimming pool and spa were installed at the hotel. The hotel has views of the adjacent park Badeparken, surrounding hillsides, and the Sandefjord Harbor and Sandefjordsfjord.[11][12]

Gallery edit

References edit

  1. ^ Reusch, Marianne (1996). 40 trivelige turer i Sandefjord og omegn. Vett & viten. Page 34. ISBN 8241202849.
  2. ^ Tore, Sandberg and Cato Arveschoug (2001). Sandefjord zoomet inn av fotograf Tore Sandberg. C. Arveschoug and Magne Helland. Page 13. ISBN 9788299616706.
  3. ^ Berman, Martha and Kathy Knoles (1995). Fielding’s Scandinavia. Fielding Worldwide, Inc. Page 275. ISBN 9781569520499.
  4. ^ Bertelsen, Hans Kristian (2000). Sandefjord i bilder / Sandefjord in pictures. Grafisk studio forl. Page 102. ISBN 8290636024.
  5. ^ Evensberget, Snorre (2012). DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Norway. Penguin. Page 230. ISBN 9780756693305.
  6. ^ Bertelsen, Hans Kristian (2000). Sandefjord i bilder / Sandefjord in pictures. Grafisk studio forl. Page 102. ISBN 8290636024.
  7. ^ Gjerseth, Simen (2016). Nye Sandefjord. Liv forlag. Page 334. ISBN 9788283301137.
  8. ^ Tveitan, Flemming Hofmann. "Hvalkjeve". Sandefjords Blad. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  9. ^ Bertelsen, Hans Kristian (1985). Sandefjord: A modern city with vast potential. Grafisk Studio. Page 42. ISBN 82-90636-00-8.
  10. ^ Olstad, Finn (1997). Sandefjords historie B.2: En vanlig småby? Sandefjord kommune. Page 285. ISBN 8299379725.
  11. ^ Olstad, Finn (1997). Sandefjords historie B.2: En vanlig småby? Sandefjord kommune. Pages 230-232. ISBN 8299379725.
  12. ^ Bertelsen, Hans Kristian (2000). Sandefjord i bilder / Sandefjord in pictures. Grafisk studio forl. Page 102. ISBN 8290636024.

59°07′38″N 10°13′15″E / 59.1273°N 10.2207°E / 59.1273; 10.2207