Hotel Ydalir: A Learning Hotel at the Heart of the University of Stavanger
In an era where innovation and sustainability are crucial to business development, Hotel Ydalir stands as a pioneer experiment in the hospitality industry. Located on the campus of the University of Stavanger, the hotel is not merely a standard accommodation, it is an arena for learning, research, and development. Here, both students and staff at NHS - Department of Leadership and Service Development have the opportunity to use the hotel as a living lab for their research and education. At the same time, it is open to collaboration with external stakeholders, creating a dynamic meeting point between theory and practice.
What Makes Hotel Ydalir a "Learning Hotel"?
A "learning hotel" goes beyond just delivering an excellent guest experience. It is built on a culture where knowledge is actively shared and developed in practice. Hotel Ydalir acts as a hub for research and innovation in hotel management and service development by providing a real hotel environment where theories and concepts can be put to the test.
For the staff and students at the university's Department of Leadership and Service Development (NHS), this means a unique chance to run projects and gain direct insight into how their academic work can improve the hotel industry.
Real-World Innovation: The 15m² Multifunctional Room
A prime example of Ydalir’s innovative spirit is its recent pilot collaboration with the startup MASE Home. Looking to improve space efficiency and reduce the construction industry's environmental footprint, the hotel decided to test MASE Home's robotic furniture in one of its standard rooms.
Over the past few months, guests have stayed in a special "pilot room" where the bed can be automatically raised into the ceiling at the push of a button.
The transformation takes just 12 seconds, turning a simple bedroom into a multifunctional space for sleeping, working, and exercising—all within just 15 square meters!
This pilot has yielded promising technical results and positive guest feedback, marking a major milestone for both the hotel and the startup. Testing concepts on a small scale ensures that the final solutions deliver real value before they are rolled out more broadly, while proving that new furniture tech can lead to more sustainable hotels.
A Win-Win for Students and the Industry
Operating as a learning hotel creates value across the board.
For Students: They get to apply theory in practice through research and case studies focused on customer service, sustainability, marketing, and smart technology. This hands-on experience provides a major competitive edge in the job market.
For External Partners: Tech companies and sustainability initiatives can use the hotel as a testing ground to see how their solutions impact daily operations and guest experiences.
For the Industry: The broader hotel sector gains access to fresh knowledge, innovative ideas, and practical solutions that can help them adapt to a rapidly changing market.
Hotel Ydalir proves that the best knowledge isn't just developed in a classroom, but out in the real world.