Artist Kjartan Lauritzen (27) is known for rapping in parish and for his cheerful mood. But what is not as well known is that the 27-year-old, whose real name is Per Áki Sigurdsson Kvikne, comes from a family with long traditions in the hotel industry ..
For over 200 years, the Kvikne family has been hotel owners in Balestrand, and now Lauritzen will continue the family heritage.
In February, it became known that the artist made a surprising career change when he went to purchase Balestrand Hoteland thus became a hotelier.
Keeps the family hotel going
Together with his girlfriend Randi Sognnæs Aamot and his brother Theodor Sigurdsson Kvikne (35), the three will be responsible for the operation of the hotel. Lauritzen’s new hotel is idyllically located, overlooking the Sognefjord.
When Nettavisen met the artist on the red carpet in connection with the Spellemann award ceremony last week, he was not hesitant in answering the question of why he has bought a hotel.
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– I think rather; why not ?, Lauritzen told Nettavisen before answering honestly:
– We thought it was very sad if that hotel should disappear from the family. Then we did what had to be done to get that hotel, Lauritzen said.
The previous owners of Balestrand hotel were Lauritzen’s aunt, Unni Marie Kvikne and her husband Eric. When the brothers learned that their aunt was moving to California, they felt obligated to keep the family business.
The musician held the cards close to his chest about how much the new and proud owners had to shell out for the hotel. He also would not say anything if they possibly got a nice family discount.
Family business
That the artist has now become a hotel owner may be surprising to some, but it was no surprise at all to the rest of his family.
Lauritzen’s father, Sigurd Kvikne, currently runs the main attraction in Balestrand, namely Kviknes Hotel. It is the largest hotel in the village, and it has been owned by the family since 1877.
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For Lauritzen, it was a natural choice to return to the hotel industry as he has worked several summers at both his aunt’s and father’s hotels.
Since his debut in 2014, Lauritzen has had a flourishing music career, but despite the new hotel project, he still can not completely free himself from music.
Although he moves home to Balestrand for a period to run a hotel, he assures that the hotel will be a part-time job for the busy musician.
Working hard before the opening
The brothers and Lauritzen’s girlfriend officially took over the hotel in the winter of 2021. After he announced the news on Instagram, people flocked to the comments field and submitted booking requests in the comments field, several months before the hotel opening.
According to the plan, the new owners will ensure that the hotel is ready for opening on 1 May, but the search is not entirely sure whether they will be able to meet the deadline.
– I think we are the kind of hotel that is never completely finished, he said to Nettavisen with a twinkle in his eye.
He also could not guarantee that the sprint would be flawless, and thought it was only to be expected to see people hammering nails into the ceiling in the first few days.
The joking search, which is now in place in Balestrand to make the latest changes, still has great faith that the hotel will be finished on time.
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