Valhalla Lodge Bed and Breakfast is located in Gunner’s Cove in Newfoundland and Labrador, which is a city on the northern side of Newfoundland. The business has a total of four units available for reservation in the bed and breakfast, all of which are uniquely decorated and with names of people in Nordic history. Breakfast is available each morning from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. to those who are staying overnight. The establishment also owns a restaurant that sells meals and merchandise. Gina, the owner of Valhalla Lodge Bed and Breakfast, would like her guests to feel comfortable and encourages them to ask questions if they have any. The previous owner was her mother, who opened the business in 1986. About eight years ago, Gina purchased the lodge from her mother and has been running it with her husband ever since.
Valhalla Lodge Bed and Breakfast has four rooms in the main building. The names of the units are related to Nordic history and are as follows: Freydis, Erik, Leif, and Thor. Each unit is uniquely decorated, but they all come with similar amenities. A queen-sized bed, private restroom, internet access, patio, and an invitation to breakfast each morning come with every one of these rooms. While they each have a private bathroom, Erik’s is across the hall as opposed to being attached to the room. The units also reportedly have views of the ocean from the patio, with the exception of Thor; however, the owners of the business plan on removing a few trees in the backyard so people can see the ocean from Thor’s balcony.
There are a couple of common areas in the house where visitors can spend time if they would like. The sitting room doubles as the dining room during breakfast. Located about one kilometer away from the bed and breakfast in the town of Windsor Meadows is a restaurant that is owned by the same owners of Valhalla Lodge Bed and Breakfast. People can purchase food as well as merchandise. The restaurant is fine-dining in nature, and the owners, Gina and Adrian, mention that they “focus on organic, fresh, and local food.” Gina notes, “I’ve never served a french fry. We do things like Risotto or quinoa with sweet potatoes.” Adrian, Gina’s husband, is a gourmet chef, and there are two other chefs who work at the restaurant as well.
One of the chefs makes breakfast each morning, though Gina explains that it typically isn’t “a big breakfast.” A few things that she may serve include homemade bread and jam, free-range eggs, coffee, juice, pancakes, and french toast. Breakfast can be altered to accommodate specific food allergies or dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, if patrons speak with the owners ahead of time. The meal is typically prepared and served between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
The outside of the building is surrounded by a variety of trees, and the ocean is within walking distance. The business is found on about four acres of land. According to Gina, near the house, one can find a trail called Ant Varieties Trail, which brings people to a lookout point where guests can sometimes see “icebergs and whales.” The UNESCO World Heritage Viking site can be found close by, and a place called Norstead has several historical locations. In St. Anthony, one can locate the Grenfell Museum, which is named after Dr. Grenfell, who helped the town medically. There are also a variety of restaurants nearby. Gina enjoys recommending a few of her personal favorites and mentions several by name, including Café Nymphe and The Norseman Restaurant.
Gina, the current owner of Valhalla Lodge Bed and Breakfast, hopes that her patrons will feel like “if they need anything, [the owners] are available.” A few ways that they try to create this atmosphere is by assisting people with reservations for boat tours in the area and offering to answer any questions guests may have. Gina also mentions that she tries to be aware of when people want time to themselves and will try not to bother them if they want privacy.
There are several policies that visitors are expected to abide by while they are staying at Valhalla Lodge Bed and Breakfast. Pets are prohibited on the premises in an effort to keep the rooms clean in case guests have allergies. The property is not capable of hosting parties, and the owners ask that patrons keep the noise to a minimum from 10:00 p.m. to morning.
Over the years, there have been a number of people who have stayed at Valhalla Lodge Bed and Breakfast, and a few people have left reviews of their experience at the bed and breakfast. One person wrote, “The bed was very comfortable, the tub and shower were roomy, and the breakfast and coffee the next morning were great.” Open from the middle of May to the middle of September, the busiest time of year for the establishment tends to be during the summer, specifically in early June. The typical demographic is primarily constituted by couples in their 60s, but Gina mentions that many different kinds of people have come to the business.
Built in the 1970s, Valhalla Lodge Bed and Breakfast is characterized by extensive woodwork on both the interior and exterior. The person who made it was a man named Richard Michonne. Gina, the current owner, explains that her mother purchased the house in 1986 and started the bed and breakfast shortly after acquiring the building. Gina mentions that she and her husband, Adrian, purchased the business from her about eight years ago, though they have been living on the property for almost fifteen years in total. While her mother owned the establishment, Gina helped operate the bed and breakfast for some time. One aspect of running Valhalla Lodge Bed and Breakfast that Gina notes as being one of her favorites is meeting the people and getting to know them. She explains that they have received many clientele from the United States, Europe, and other countries around the world over the years.
The owners have made several changes to the business since they acquired the land. A few notable updates include the addition of a new patio on the front of the house. They also upgraded the windows and changed them out for new ones. In the future, the owners would like to renovate the kitchen and potentially add a boardwalk that leads guests to the water’s edge from the bed and breakfast.
Box 265 Gunner's Cove
L'Anse Aux Meadows, Newfoundland and Labrador A0K 2X0
Canada
Bed and Breakfast
Gina & Adrian Noordhof
Bella Hodge
