This 19th-Century Trading Post In Arctic Norway Is Now A Heritage Stay

Far north in Norway, just above the Arctic Circle, a cluster of small islands sits in the Norwegian Sea. On Innerstøtt, one of these islands, an old trading post has been part of the landscape for more than a century. Today, the same buildings make up STØTT – Top of Helgeland, a small heritage hotel where the past remains very much part of the stay.

Run by the Andersen family, the property brings together historic rooms, fishermen’s cabins, a restaurant, a small museum, and the rugged landscape of the Helgeland coast. Getting here takes some effort, but once you arrive, the pace changes almost immediately.

Stay In A Piece Of Støtt’s History

The hotel is spread across three historic buildings, each with its own story.

The Saffron Bakery, or Bakeriet, dates to the 19th century and was once the island’s bakery. It has now been converted into guest accommodation, with period furniture, lace curtains, and chandeliers giving the rooms a distinctly old-world character. The antique details are balanced with modern comforts, so the experience feels atmospheric rather than dated.

Stabburet, the oldest building on the property, goes back to the 18th century. It was originally used as a storehouse before becoming staff quarters and is now another option for guests looking for a more rustic stay.

The third is Rorbua, a collection of traditional red fishermen’s cabins. These small buildings once housed fishermen and seasonal workers visiting the island. They have been restored and fitted out for guests while retaining their familiar coastal character.

Across the property, the details are deliberately nostalgic. White lace curtains, antique-style furniture, crystal chandeliers, sheepskin rugs and warm textiles make the rooms feel connected to their surroundings. Down duvets and modern amenities, meanwhile, take care of the practical side of the stay.

A Family Story That Continues

STØTT is not simply a restored historic property. It is still a family-run business.

In 1897, the great-grandfather of current owners Eva Ann Andersen and Sven Andersen bought the trading post. The property became an important part of island life, serving fishermen who passed through on their way to the cod grounds around Lofoten.

The trading post sold everyday essentials such as flour, sugar, and fishing nets, while fishermen brought in their catches. Cod liver oil was processed here, herring was salted and the buildings became a meeting point for people living and working along this stretch of the Norwegian coast.

Eva eventually left the island for a corporate career in Oslo. She returned in 2011 while recovering from burnout and found herself drawn back to the slower rhythm of life here. Together with her brother Sven, she began restoring the family property and developing it into the hotel it is today.

Dinner In The Old Shop

Restaurant Gammelbutikken is located in the original trading store, where the old shop counter has been turned into a bar.

The restaurant's menu is naturally shaped by Støtt’s location. Seafood takes centre stage, with dishes such as Arctic cod, halibut ceviche, bacalao, and traditional fish soup. The restaurant is also known for producing its own stockfish, using the traditional Norwegian method of drying cod.

For guests, dinner becomes another way of experiencing the history of the property. The same building that once supplied fishermen with everyday goods now serves meals made largely around the produce of the surrounding waters.

A Small Museum Upstairs

The history continues above the restaurant. The top floor of the main building houses a small fishing museum filled with photographs, old nets, prints, and objects connected to Støtt’s maritime past.

Among the collection are works by Norwegian artist Kaare Espolin Johnson, whose illustrations capture the difficult lives of fishermen and coastal communities in northern Norway.

It is a compact museum, but it helps put the buildings and landscape around you into context. Støtt was never simply a picturesque island. Its survival was closely linked to the sea and the people who depended on it.

Life Beyond The Hotel

The appeal of staying on Støtt also comes from being able to step outside and explore the landscape.

During the warmer months, guests can kayak through the surrounding archipelago, go deep-sea fishing, hike across the island, or take a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) safari across the coastal waters. The island has two interconnected sides, with trails leading towards viewpoints and historic sites.

Remnants of the Second World War can still be found around Støtt, including German coastal defence bunkers and a former hospital built into the mountainside.

The landscape also changes dramatically through the year. Summer brings the midnight sun, while the darker months offer the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights. Both seasons offer a very different reason to spend a few nights here.

Getting To Støtt

The journey begins in Bodø, the main gateway to this part of Northern Norway. From there, travellers can take the Nordland Express, or NEX I, from the Bodø ferry terminal.

The passenger ferry takes roughly an hour, passing through the scattered islands before arriving at Støtt. The hotel team can meet guests at the pier and help with the short transfer to the property.

For Indian travellers, Norway is part of the Schengen Area, so a Schengen short-stay visa is required. Travellers should apply through the designated Norway Visa Application Centre in India and allow enough time for processing. A valid passport, travel insurance, accommodation confirmation, itinerary, and proof of onward or return travel are among the documents generally required.

The Information

Address: Støtt Gamle Handelssted <Old Trading Post>, NO-8159, Støtt, Nordland, Norway

Tariff: A stay at Støtt typically costs around NOK 2,900 to NOK 7,500 (INR 29,000 to INR 75,000) per night, depending on the room category, season, and availability.

Contact: +47 400 21 212; eaa@stott.no

Website: stott.no/en/top-of-helgeland-english

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