A History through Four Generations

The story of Union Geiranger is the story of four generations of the Mjelva family. Since Julie and Karl Mjelva took over the hotel in 1899, the family has helped shape both the hotel itself and the travel experience in Geiranger.

The legacy of the first generation

When Julie and Karl Mjelva took over the hotel, Geiranger was still a young travel destination. They saw the potential in the growing interest in the fjord landscape and laid the foundation for a tradition built on quality, warm hospitality, and genuine care for their guests.

Pioneer and community builder

Karl Mjelva was more than a hotel owner. He was a pioneer who saw opportunities where others saw challenges.

When Karl and Julie Mjelva took over Union Geiranger at the beginning of the 1900s, they wanted to offer their guests the same comfort and quality they were used to from the great cities of Europe. But that was not always easy in a small fjord village in Sunnmøre.

The solution was often to create what was missing. To give the hotel electric light and heating, Karl took the initiative to develop hydropower. When guests asked for better heating, he helped drive industrial development in the village. And when the steep mountain roads demanded new transport solutions, he took part in developing vehicles adapted to the demanding conditions.

The Geiranger road won a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900.

A will to think anew

For both Julie and Karl Mjelva, development was never just about the hotel. They saw the connection between creating great experiences for guests and nurturing the local community around them. In many ways, he helped shape both Geiranger as a destination and the village as we know it today. Julie helped establish an international hotel school in Bergen, and Karl contributed to developing the infrastructure and conditions at the hotel.

This desire to think in new ways, find solutions, and constantly evolve what we offer our guests has shaped Hotel Union in Geiranger for generations.

The new way of thinking also led to conflicts between the drivers who used horses and, eventually, those who drove cars. This was resolved by giving everyone a share in the cars, and before long there were cars at almost every farm in Geiranger. Tourism grew, and more hotels were established.

Photos from Djupvasshytta around 1930. Photo: Union Geiranger

With Geiranger close to our heart

Karl Mjelva, a third-generation host, was deeply committed to the history of his family, the hotel, and tourism in Geiranger during his time as the hotel’s director. To preserve this legacy, he established the Veteran Car Museum, which today tells the story of the pioneers, the flow of visitors, and the development of Geiranger as a travel destination.

Karl Mjelva in the vintage car garage. Photo Remi Sagen/NRK

Together with his wife Gjertrud, he carried Union Geiranger forward in the same spirit as the generations before them. At the same time, they were committed to developing the hotel in step with the times and with guests’ expectations. Through investments, renewal, and a warm, hands-on hosting style, they helped strengthen Union Geiranger’s role as a leading hotel by the fjord.

Forteneste Medal and Friends of the Storfjord

Karl Mjelva received the King’s Medal of Merit in gold in 2002. He is still active in local associations and organisations such as Storfjordens Venner, which he helped establish more than 50 years ago. The aim of Storfjordens Venner is to preserve the old fjord and mountain farms. Since it was founded, the association has restored more than 140 buildings, work that was crucial when the Geirangerfjord was granted World Heritage status in 2005.

Queen Sonja and Karl Mjelva study Ola Stavseng’s statue, Photo Staale Wattø/smp.no — Queen Sonja and Karl Mjelva study one of Ola Stavseng’s three statues during the unveiling held in connection with the 50th anniversary of Storfjordens Venner. Photo Staale Wattø/smp.no

Royal visit to Geiranger in 1993 in connection with King Harald and Queen Sonja’s silver wedding anniversary. — Looking back at the history shaped under the third generation of hosts

The hotel before the last expansion — Looking back at the history shaped under the third generation of hosts

Sindre and Monja are shaping the future

Monja and Sindre Mjelva when they took over the operations in 2001

When Sindre and Monja Mjelva took over the running of Union in Geiranger in 2001, they didn’t just take over a hotel – they assumed responsibility for more than a hundred years of history, traditions, and heartfelt hospitality.

From hotel to resort

With deep respect for the legacy of the generations before them, they have continued to develop the hotel in step with new expectations and needs. Under their leadership, Union in Geiranger has grown into a modern resort with spa, conference facilities, restaurants and a wide range of activities, while still staying true to its identity as a family-run destination by the Geiranger fjord.

The spa area at Union Geiranger has become a very popular experience

Sindre and Monja have carried forward the same faith in the future and drive for development that has characterized the Mjelva family from the very beginning. Through investments, renewal, and a strong focus on quality, they have strengthened Union Geiranger’s position as one of the leading destinations in Fjord Norway. Sindre and Monja are also deeply committed to the village and its development, contributing everything from full-time jobs to local infrastructure.

The road ahead with warm welcomes

At the same time, much of what matters most remains unchanged. A warm welcome, personal hosts, true hotel quality and the desire to create memorable experiences for every single guest are still at the heart of everything they do.

A warm welcome to Union Geiranger Resort & Spa!