WorldHotels™ Brings Norwegian Heritage to the Global Stage Through De Historiske Partnership

The addition of 25 De Historiske properties expands the WorldHotels Scandinavian portfolio to nearly 40 hotels and deepens its Crafted collection’s focus on cultural heritage
 

Phoenix, Arizona (April 10, 2026) — WorldHotels, a global brand of independent luxury and lifestyle hotels, has entered into a partnership with De Historiske, a network of more than 102 unique hotels, restaurants and historic ships in Norway. In the initial phase, 25 hotels will join the portfolio and become part of the WorldHotels™ Crafted collection, which highlights hotels with strong identities, creative design and experiences that reflect the character of the destination. The brand alignment provides De Historiske’s members with extensive distribution across the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union. In addition, the collaboration strengthens WorldHotels’ presence in Norway, bringing its Scandinavian portfolio to 37 hotels.

“We are proud to welcome De Historiske into the WorldHotels portfolio. This partnership brings together two brands united by a shared commitment to authenticity, heritage, and exceptional guest experiences,” said Ron Pohl, President of WorldHotels. “De Historiske represents some of the most characterful and culturally significant historic hotels and restaurants in Scandinavia, each with a story that spans generations. We are excited to work together to further our mission of celebrating the individuality of each hotel and connecting travelers to destinations rich in stories, heritage and meaning around the world.”

The expansion broadens WorldHotels’ reach in Norway, from coastal destinations and fjord landscapes to historic urban environments and mountain areas, strengthening its presence beyond the largest cities and creating a more diverse portfolio for both leisure and business travelers.

“This is a collaboration that is fully in line with our values. We seek partnerships with hotels that are run with passion, have a clear identity and wish to preserve their distinctive character, while also recognizing the strength of collaborating on visibility and loyalty. By working with De Historiske, we are strengthening our focus on hospitality and experiences. It is a natural step in our growth strategy in Scandinavia and an opportunity to reach more guests who are looking for something more than just a room,” said Johan Michelson, CEO of BWH Hotels Scandinavia.

Among the hotels joining the WorldHotels portfolio are Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri, led by Bocuse d’Or winner Ørjan Johannessen; the venerable Kviknes Hotel; and the historic Sundvolden Hotel, with more De Historiske hotels expected to join in future phases.

Bound by a passion for authenticity and local character, WorldHotels and De Historiske champion independent properties that celebrate their local heritage.  Together, they redefine hospitality as a universal feeling—where every traveler, whether in a bustling city or a quiet fjord, finds a place where they truly feel welcome.

“Our hotels in De Historiske will contribute to WorldHotels while also attracting more international guests to cultural and heritage tourism at unique historic sites in Norway. Norway is a unique destination, and we look forward to welcoming guests from all over the world through our collaboration with WorldHotels,” said Nils Henrik Geitle, CEO of De Historiske.

Guests can browse the full list of hotels and make room reservations online now at worldhotels.com.

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About De Historiske
De Historiske is a unique membership organization that brings together many of Norway’s most charming historic hotels and restaurants. The network consists of 73 hotels, 26 restaurants, and 3 historic vessels. The organization’s goal is to use history as a rich framework for guests, enabling them to create their own stories through authentic experiences that become valuable memories long after they return home.

About WorldHotels™  
WorldHotels™ is a privately held hotel soft brand within the BWH℠ Hotels global enterprise. Founded by independent hoteliers dedicated to the art of hospitality, WorldHotels offers one of the finest portfolios of independent hotels and resorts around the globe, expertly curated to inspire unique, life enriching experiences that connect people and places. WorldHotels is comprised of four unique collections, each with its own personality and style to appeal to the needs of today’s traveler. The collections include: WorldHotels™ Luxury, WorldHotels™ Elite, WorldHotels™ Crafted and WorldHotels™ Distinctive. For more information visit WorldHotels.com.