The English Lady. That is how Miss Greenfield is remembered at Dalen Hotel. She arrived in the late 1800s, elegant and discreet, and was given Room 17. What followed turned her stay into the hotel’s most enduring legend. Guests would later whisper of a newborn’s cry, of a tragedy hidden behind closed doors, and of a presence that never truly left.

Miss Greenfield kept to herself during her stay, rarely noticed by other guests or staff. No one suspected she was expecting a child. But when Room 17 was later opened, a grim secret came to light: the body of a newborn. The tragedy travelled with her back to England, where she was accused of a crime that never reached trial. Before the case could be heard, she took her own life.

Miss Greenfield's life ended in England, but her legend remained in Room 17. Over the years, guests have shared moments they could not explain. The most enduring tale is of a man who once spent the night in the room, unaware of its reputation. Disturbed by strange sounds, he left not only the room but the hotel itself in the dead of night.

Most stories, however, speak of hearing a child crying in empty corridors, or of a presence that could not be seen or explained – an apparition glimpsed in passing. Over time, some housekeepers even chose to avoid the room, describing a sense of dread whenever they neared its door.

Whether imagination or something more, such accounts have become inseparable from the atmosphere of Dalen Hotel. They are part of the lore that makes this fairytale building one of Norway’s most mysterious places to stay.

At Dalen Hotel, the tale of Miss Greenfield is kept alive not only in stories, but also in small rituals. Each evening, a table is laid for her in the restaurant – complete with cutlery, glass and plate, a single candle, and even a name tag. Placed by the entrance, it stands as a quiet reminder of the ghost said to linger in these halls.

Whether she lingers or not, her story is set at the table every single night.