Hear the story
The Halberg family's history in Svendborg is over 100 years old. After World War II, the dream of a hotel in the city began, and in 1955 Hotel Svendborg opened - today there are a total of three hotels in Halberg Hotels.
A family-owned business, now in its fifth generation, continues to operate hotels with a special culture and atmosphere.
Hear the story of Halberg Hotels in our podcast – ”The Story of Halberg Hotels” – told by our director Tom Pelle Jensen.
Ten years of energetic work were finally crowned with success when Svendborg, on Thursday, May 26, 1955, was able to inaugurate the first Marshall hotel outside Copenhagen.
Immediately after the occupation, a group of citizens led by consul, shipowner AE Sørensen, consul Baagøe-Riber, lawyer Cand. Jur. Tranberg-Jensen, 1st deputy mayor and later mayor, manufacturer E. Halberg, director PM Pedersen, mayor Ferdinand Jensen and Minister of Justice ACH Elmquist began preparations.
At the end of 1945, the founding general meeting of the new hotel board was held.
A good 700,000 kroner in share capital was subscribed for the new hotel in the completely international style, which was made possible through the Marshall Aid gift of 1 million kroner.
The hotel was to be located in the major thoroughfare from Gerritsgade to the Courthouse, which, among other things, required the municipal purchase of properties for demolition.
Hotel Svendborg's history
In the autumn of 1954, a travel party was held, and in May 1955 the first guests slept at Hotel Svendborg, which sat alone on the large square. The cinema next to the 4-storey building was to donate the rental income to support the hotel, and in this way the municipality helped to support the great citizens' initiative.
For almost 25 years, Hotel Svendborg held the position as the city's leading hotel – but then problems arose. Earnings were tight, and there was no money for the necessary renovation in a time that required different facilities. Manufacturer Jørgen Halberg, who at one time, together with his father, manufacturer E. Halberg, had given the hotel a beautiful guest book, then bought the hotel for 3.5 million kroner and invested in a new 10-year period with a complete renovation and expansion of the guest wing with 27 rooms and the meeting rooms Damsbo and Mullerup, which were inaugurated in 1985.
Then Kedelsmedstræde 12 (“The Little Yellow House”) was purchased, completely renovated, landscaped with the small courtyard and furnished as a director's residence.
Since then, there have been ongoing projects – renovations, conversions and extensions, which have made the hotel what it is today: a 4-star hotel of international class.
In 1994, when Svendborg hosted the DGI's large National Convention, the hotel, which was originally white, was painted red in several, finely coordinated, shades. The corner plot facing Tinghusgade was included – an office for the director was built here, and the outdoor glass elevator was – under great attention from the citizens of the city – installed.
In order to further expand, in line with the city's needs and current demands for hotel rooms and conference facilities, a "bazaar building" was purchased in 1999 and demolished in the summer of 2000, containing an electrical shop, hairdresser and sewing shop, as well as a corner property and a 3-storey property in Kedelsmedstræde.
In July 2001, the extension in Tinghusgade and Kedelsmedstræde was inaugurated with 16 double rooms, 1 bridal suite, 1 business suite, atrium courtyard, 10 meeting rooms and 2 large conference rooms, Broholm 1 and 2 with all the latest technology - and 2 rooms on the ground floor facing Tinghusgade were rented out to a hair salon and the real estate agency chain HOME.
In connection with this expansion, the hotel's parking lot was also expanded, and an underground parking garage with space for 25 cars was established under the new extension.
Further plans to build at the other end of the hotel towards the swimming pool were slowed down by Scala's location, but since it was also in dire need of modernization and expansion with more cinema halls, Hotel Svendborg bought the "airspace" above Scala from Svendborg Municipality with the right to build there - when/if Scala rebuilt - but within 2 years - and with extra reinforced ground construction, which could support a superstructure of Hotel Svendborg.
Scala was built in 2001, and work began on the superstructure on August 1. In March 2002, the last wing, built on 3 floors above the Scala cinema, was inaugurated with 30 double rooms, 16 of which can be connected to be used as apartments.
In 2010, the hotel took over 2 rooms which have now been converted into rooms.
Hotel Svendborg now has 135 rooms, all with private bath and toilet, TV, Pay-TV and telephone.
Preserved history
As the latest addition to the line of meeting facilities, the hotel has incorporated the former executive residence “Det gule Hus” into meeting facilities with space for up to 18 people in the meeting room and 2 group rooms. All rooms have free internet access.
The plenum is equipped with a ceiling-mounted projector and other A/V equipment. There is also a separate dining room where the day's meals will be served.
Stairs to the apartment from the parking lot and street, entrance hall with connection to large kitchen with plenty of cupboard space, dining area and dining room/living room. From the dining room and entrance hall there is access to conference room/meeting room from which there is access to balcony with small dining area. In the entrance hall there is also a small toilet.
From the hallway there are stairs to the first floor which contains a large, lovely bedroom, room with a double bed and large toilet/bathroom.
In the basement there is a mini fitness center with a treadmill, exercise bike, bench press with weights, multi-machine, as well as a toilet and shower.
As in daily operations, we constantly keep our finger on the pulse, so that we can be at the forefront of what is needed and what guests demand, so that many guests will also come to South Funen in the future. And if Hotel Svendborg is to continue to be an attractive hotel, it will occasionally require renovation and rebuilding.
We will be closed from Sunday, December 14th at 1:00 PM and will reopen on Monday, December 29th, 2025 at 12:00 PM.
During this period we offer accommodation at Hotel Ærø (without breakfast).
Book your stay at post@hotel-aeroe.dk or 62 21 17 00.
New Year's menu "out of the house" - order via www.hotelsvendborg.dk
For all other inquiries, please contact us at booking@hotel-svendborg.dk or 62 21 17 00.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas!
And we look forward to celebrating the new year with you at the New Year's Party 2025/26 at Hotel Svendborg!!
