Opus 16

Opus XVI sits in one of Bergen’s oldest and most loved buildings from 1876 that still carries traces of its past. After years of planning and a careful renovation completed in 2018, it reopened as a boutique hotel. The man behind it, Alexander Grieg, comes from the same family as composer Edvard Grieg. His great-great-grandfather, John Grieg, was Edvard’s older brother. That legacy runs deep, and creating the hotel was a lifelong dream for Alexander. A portrait of John Grieg now hangs proudly in the lobby, honoring the family’s heritage.

After studying hotel management, working in local hotels, and later finding success in real estate, Alexander finally brought his vision for this historic building to life. Once a grand bank where John and Edvard Grieg are said to have done business, the property was later expanded in 1918 by their cousin, architect Schak Bull. It went on to house a short-lived restaurant and nightclub before falling quiet again. Today, under Alexander and his wife Britt Marie, Opus XVI shines again, with the Grieg family’s spirit.

Much like the piano concerto it’s named after, Opus XVI blends classic and modern elements in perfect harmony. The building was partly designed by architect Schak Bull, cousin of composer Edvard Grieg, whose touch still shows in the details. There are 65 rooms and suites, each a little different because of the building’s shape and layout. You’ll see marble columns, polished granite walls, and high ceilings from the old bank days, now sitting alongside clean Scandinavian design and soft lighting.

Many rooms are named after Grieg’s famous works, a quiet nod to the family story that runs through the place. The hotel is also designed with accessibility and comfort in mind, offering pet-friendly rooms and facilities for guests with limited mobility, including tactile signs, higher toilets, grab rails, and full *wheelchair access. All waste is carefully sorted for recycling, and guests are encouraged to help by using room bins and reusing towels. Those staying two nights or more can choose to skip housekeeping and receive a free aperitif at the bar, a small thank-you for helping reduce water, energy, and chemical use.

Just like Bergen takes pride in preserving its history, Opus XVI puts the same care into the environment, taking a hands-on approach to sustainability by cutting food waste, saving water, and using less energy and chemicals. Most of their ingredients come from local suppliers and nearby farms.

Start your day at Opus XVI with the buffet, full of choices for every taste. You can also order from the à la carte breakfast menu if you prefer something made just for you. Breakfast is served from 7:00 am to 10:00 am on weekdays and 7:00 am to 10:30 am on weekends.

Later in the day, the restaurant turns into a warm, easygoing place for dinner, where the chef and his team cook with ingredients from Western Norway, mixing old favorites with a few new ideas. You can try the three- or five-course menus or just pick what you like from the à la carte list. Dinner is served on Monday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Tuesday to Saturday from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

The bar at Opus XVI is the heart of the hotel, open Monday to Saturday from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm. It’s the kind of place where people linger with soft music, good drinks, and a relaxed crowd. It’s also where the famous Afternoon Tea is served, a tradition that started in 1840s England when the Duchess of Bedford asked for tea and something sweet between meals. Here, it’s turned into a real treat with tea, finger sandwiches, pastries, and sometimes a bit of bubbly on the side.

On the last Friday of every month, the bar changes mood completely for Afterwork Fridays, running from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The music gets louder, the lights softer, and people fill the space with laughter and chatter. There’s a DJ, a live musician, and plenty of finger food and drinks to go around. It’s free to enter, but make sure to reserve early since the place gets packed fast.

Opus XVI makes a nice spot for weddings. The spaces here can be set up for both the ceremony and dinner, which makes things simple. The team takes care of the catering, and the pastry chef puts together wedding cakes just the way couples imagine them. You can set up a meeting to share your ideas and take a look at the spaces in person.

Harmonien Hall

Venue type and style: A flexible space ideal for weddings, banquets, or special celebrations. It includes a projector, screen, full sound system, and the option for a stage.
Capacity: Up to 130 guests

Café Greco

Venue type and style: Perfect for slightly intimate celebrations, this space offers the same elegant setting with modern facilities and a welcoming atmosphere.
Capacity: Up to 120 guests

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

Staying at Opus XVI puts you right in the middle of so many things to see and do. The hotel can help set up walking tours, bike rentals, or little culture trips if you want to see more of what the city’s about. Some guests join a bike ride through the old streets, while others like to just sit back and listen to the live music that sometimes fills the hotel in the evenings.

Just a short walk away, there’s The Hanseatic Museum and Schøtstuene, where you can step into the old days of Bergen’s trading life and the stories of the merchants who once worked there. A little further, Akvariet i Bergen – The National Aquarium offers a close look at sea life from the Norwegian coast, with penguins, seals, and colorful fish that make it a fun stop for all ages. Art lovers always stop by the KODE Art Museums and Composer Homes, they’ve got everything from Picasso’s pieces to Norway’s own Edvard Grieg. And if you want some quiet, Fossen Bratte waterfall and Møhlenpris badeplass Beach aren’t far, both are great spots for a slow afternoon in nature.

Beyond the museums, Bergen’s shopping streets are filled with boutiques, modern malls, and local stores offering everything from unique souvenirs to high-end brands. Cafés and pizzerias spill out onto cobbled lanes, perfect for slow afternoons between tours. And for something unforgettable, take the Fløibanen cable railway for breathtaking views across the city.

Opus XVI also hosts intimate gatherings and business events. The meeting rooms have flexible setups that fit birthdays, anniversaries, or work meetings. Each space includes modern facilities, screens, and seating that keep things easy and relaxed.

Blåbærli and Blåkallen are intimate meeting spaces for small groups of up to 11 people, perfect for private discussions, team meetings, or quiet gatherings. Haugtussa is the largest of the three, seating up to 17 people and offering a layout that can be adjusted for different kinds of events, from business talks to private celebrations.