Evenbye, Krag and Hamsun

In 1916, the hotel was sold to the Evenbye family. Between the two big world wars, Knut Hamsun og Vilhelm Krag, among others, were frequent visitors, and did their best to influence the hotel's social life. Krag expressed his admiration for the hotel in this way: -Were it not like home in Ernst's Hotel? Did we not rummage the kitchen and livingrooms as if we owned it all? And he continues: -During the evening one prominent gentleman after the other from the capitol came up to me expressing their admiration over how stylish and discreet it all was arranged: -Thus intimate and discreet, and yet so lavish and stylish place we have not in Kristiania. You can truly be proud of Your city! The second world war was a bleak chapter in the history of the dignified hotel. When the peace finally arrived, it appeared downtrodden and forlorn after the ravagings of the German occupants. Strict rationing on building materials, delayed the hotel's renovation. It was not completed until the early 50's.