Text: Ole-Andreas Isdahl
Photo: Reklamehuset Wera

New destinations with new and improved graphics

“We’re constantly trying to innovate,” says Lars Arne Straand, who works hard every day with all the HUB-riding hotels to surprise and satisfy the motorcyclist’s need for exciting travel and riding experiences. In 2025, we’ll be launching a new route map of Norway that makes it easier to find new routes and destinations. The HUB-riding network has exceeded 100 routes in Norway and has already become a good reference for anyone planning a trip on two or four wheels. “All routes are hand-picked on the basis of local knowledge, map studies and drive-throughs to ensure that we can deliver on our ‘turn and experience guarantee’,” adds Lars Arne Straand, who is the driving force behind the nationwide tourism concept that currently includes 14 hotels in the hotel chain – De historiske hotel og spisesteder.

Above you see the new map that will show the way to the relevant hotels and their respective grids. This year, we will also post a new “High Riding route” that represents an exclusive journey between 5 great hotels in southern Norway. There will be more of these in due course. We also have two new members in the HUB-riding family, namely Torbjørnrød in Jevnaker and Granavolden in Gran. New routes will be added during the early summer. “The HUB-riding concept is not yet well known internationally, so even though Norway is a world-class destination, this is something we need to continue working on,” adds Lars Arne Straand. Short breaks are popular
Short breaks are a concept the hotel chain is focusing on and this fits like a glove for travelers on two or four wheels who want to experience a lot in a limited number of days. Even for Norwegians, Norway is fantastic and over the course of four to five days you can experience large parts of Norway or stay in one place and experience the route network or day trips and the local area where it is facilitated in the HUB-riding concept. In addition to fantastic day trips on two or four wheels, recreation, good food and drink, physical activities such as cycling and paddling and other experiences can be enjoyed here.

Nermo hotel focuses on gravel and experiences in beautiful mountain areas

Johannes Nermo, who is a passionate motorcyclist himself, has long been a member of the HUB-riding family and is now aiming to develop a Gravel Mecca in the surrounding mountain areas together with Terje Bredal’s Adventure School. Johannes, who is missing a foot, rides with a prosthesis, which in itself is quite impressive when he roars around on his big Afroca Twin with DCT. Every year he travels with his riding buddies to Italy and France to learn how the tourism industry facilitates motorcyclists, and he is now bringing this knowledge home to Norway. Nermo’s target group is the general public, who are increasingly interested in the gravel and adventure segment. Specialists are of course also welcome, but these are largely self-sufficient with their own expertise and roid-book concepts, adds Johannes. “There are lots of great gravel roads in the wonderful nature in the mountains around Nermo Hotel, so here everyone can enjoy a ride in fantastic surroundings. We will also continue to work with Nermo to further develop the eastern flank of the concept.

World-class experiences

Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand, which was recently named “Best Historic Resort Worldwide” at this year’s Historic Hotels Worldwide Awards of Excellence 2024. It’s impressive and we are by definition quite lucky to have this fantastic location and driving area in our own backyard. The hotel has its own driving routes in some of Norway’s best driving terrain, where Vikafjell and Gaularfjell are obvious “bucket list” candidates. “We will continue to work steadily to further develop and improve this tourism concept and would like to receive feedback from our guests,” adds Lars Arne Straand. “We hope that as many people as possible will find this concept useful and enjoyable in the coming year. Feel free to use the hotels’ own websites to access more information about the individual hotels’ offers.

“Stay tuned”