The hotel feels like it was made to be held in your hand, like a perfectly shaped pebble. Everything about it invites you to reach out. You have the floaty, cloud-like character of the travertine stone underfoot, the solidity of the layered wall tiles and finally the porous, rough textures of the countertops and sinks that are nevertheless so, so soft to the touch.
As tributes go, the Eilert Smith hotel (named after the building’s original architect), is profound. Not only is this a careful restoration of one of the first functionalist buildings in Stavanger, but it is also a homage to the architect’s character. The hotel feels kind, gentle and easy going. Very much in the style that Eilert Smith himself liked to entertain, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.