The History of Kungshaga Hotel – From Parish House to a Unique Hotel Experience

Kungshaga Hotel has a long and fascinating history that dates back to 1918 when the construction of the elderly home, Församlingsgården, began. The project was financed through Orsa Savings Forest and the so-called Forest Funds. At that time, Orsa was considered one of the wealthiest municipalities in the world, with no municipal taxes being paid here. This tax system was so advantageous that the powerful Wallenberg family even considered relocating their empire here. However, the local residents, who were very proud of their forest resources, were hesitant about wealthy city dwellers exploiting their natural resources.

Församlingsgården was inaugurated in 1919 and was intended to be a place for the less privileged, elderly, and people with mild developmental disabilities. The building had two separate entrances – one for men and one for women – and was equipped with modern conveniences for the time, such as running water and indoor heating, which was uncommon for those living there. A total of 62 residents lived here, sharing rooms with 3-5 people per room. To keep the operation running, there were 6 attendants, a housekeeper, and a nurse. These workers had long days from 06:30 to 19:00, and the attendants' monthly wages were modest, at just 25 kronor.

The work at Församlingsgården was both physically demanding and varied – from scrubbing floors on hands and knees to taking care of the residents.

During these years, the farm was self-sustaining, with a large garden where vegetables and fruits were grown. Meat was butchered and preserved on-site, and ice was taken from Lake Orsa during the winter to store food in a special ice cellar.

One of the most beloved figures during this time was Nelly, a nurse at Församlingsgården during the 1950s and 60s. Nelly was also one of the first women to participate in the Nordic Championships in Stockholm, where she came in second place in 1917. She lived on the top floor of Församlingsgården and had a room with a view of Lake Orsa. It was a tough time for everyone, but Nelly's caring nature and dedication to the residents made her a legendary figure at the farm.

Another well-known figure from this era was the beloved postman Axel Back, who truly cared for the residents and made sure they received letters from distant relatives, even if they had never met them. Axel became a hero for many elderly people who otherwise might have had no contact with the outside world.

After 1967, when Församlingsgården was closed, Orsa Municipality renovated the building's interior, ensuring that several dormitories were fitted with washbasins, and some even received toilets. After this, Hjalmar and Margit Lindberg, a well-known evangelical preacher, took over the building and renamed it Kungshaga after their poodle kennel in Örebro. They operated it as a conference center for the Pentecostal and Maranatha movements. Under Lindberg's leadership, the dormitories were converted into private rooms, and the facility gained a new function as Kungshaga Tourist & Rest Home.

When Britt and Alice took over Kungshaga in 1985, they undertook a major renovation, and the hotel adopted its current character, with all rooms receiving their own shower and toilet. Sofie and Joachim Diefke then ran Kungshaga Hotel from 1989 to 2009 before Daphne and Pauvel van Zonneveld, together with his sister Odette, took over and managed the business until 2020, when the current ownership family, Friström, took over.

Since then, we have renovated nearly all the rooms, kitchens, common areas, and conference facilities. We have built a large veranda with a fantastic view of Lake Orsa. The renovation is still ongoing, and we hope that you will feel that you are part of our life's project, where old meets new. The building has always been in excellent condition, and our careful renovation is more like an excavation of history than a complete reconstruction.

Kungshaga Hotel Today

Today, Kungshaga Hotel is a place where history meets the future. We offer a unique experience for our guests, with a fantastic location by Lake Orsa, scenic surroundings, and a tranquil atmosphere. We have renovated and created a modern hotel environment, while preserving the building's original charm and history.

Our vision is to preserve the history while also creating the future, where our guests can experience both the peaceful nature and the warm welcome from our team. Come for the view and stay for the company – you are always welcome to us at Kungshaga Hotel.