Mesmerising landscapes

Solstrand Hotel and Spa, built in 1896 by Christian Michelsen - who went on to become Norway’s first prime minister in 1905, has been family-managed for four generations. This elegant waterfront property is ideally located on the spectacular Bjornefjord, an arm of the Hardangerfjord with excellent views of the Folgefonna glacier (on a clear day) and five small, uninhabited ‘holms’ (islands).

Nestled in a rich landscape of natural and cultural character, the hotel has been beautifully restored whilst still maintaining its turn-of-the-century charm.

With panoramic views over the Sognefjord and an impressive mountain backdrop, the situation of Kviknes Hotel, in the village of Balestrand, is second to none. Owner-managed by the Kvikne family since 1877, the property offers a comfortable and relaxed sojourn in historical surroundings. With its long verandas overlooking blue waters, the pale-yellow timber building is one of the largest and most impressive wooden hotel structures in Norway. Inside atmospheric lounges, an impressive collection of antique and art pieces, and age-old traditions stand side-by-side with modern amenities.

Accommodation:

• 190 rooms, divided between the original timber building (historical wing) and a modern wing, including 165 standard rooms, 8 historical rooms, 7 historical single rooms and 10 historical junior suites 
• All rooms have a bathroom (bath or shower), hairdryer, satellite TV, telephone and complimentary WIFI internet connection 
• 99 standard rooms have a fjord view 
• The historical rooms and junior suites are located in the historical building and have a fjord view 
• Most rooms have a balcony 
• Junior suites have a designated living room. Most junior suites have a balcony 
• Due to the age of the hotel rooms in the historical building vary in size and shape.

Amenities/Leisure:

• Buffet breakfast 
• Restaurant 
• Lounges 
• Bar
• 2 lifts in the modern wing of the hotel. There are no lifts in the historical wing 
• Free parking
• Rowing boats and fishing gear available for hire (free of charge)
• The Norwegian Museum of Tourism is located next door to the Kviknes Hotel
• Balestrand and the surrounding area has many marked hiking trails - suitable for all abilities
• Nearby attractions: Jostedalsbreen national park, Urnes Stave Church (the oldest in Norway c.1130), the Norwegian Glacier Museum, the Norwegian book town of Fjaerland, Breheimsenteret in Jostedalen, the Naeroyfjord, Fjaerlandfjord and the Flåm railway. Not to be missed is the view point on Road No.13 (part of Norway's National Tourist Routes)

Comment: Whilst the location is excellent, please note that the Kviknes Hotel is tired in places and in need of refurbishment.

At the end of the Innvikfjord, an arm of the beguiling Nordfjord, and backed by ice-capped mountains, is the fertile village of Loen. With the beautiful untamed nature of the Lodalen Valley as its neighbour – home to the most accessible glacier arm, Kjenndalsbreen which reaches down towards the glacial Lovatnet Lake, this is a destination for nature lovers and the gateway to Jostedalsbreen.

The Loenfjord Hotel is located beside the fjord, 500m from the centre of the village. Offering simple yet, well-maintained accommodation, the hotel is an ideal base for those wishing to explore the surrounding region. The hotel gardens, restaurant and many bedrooms enjoy panoramic views over the fjord.

Accommodation:

• 137 rooms, all with bathroom (bath or shower), cable TV, telephone and complimentary WIFI internet connection 
• Rooms have an inland valley view, a view over the River Loen or over the Innvikfjord 
• 12 rooms with valley and fjord view have a balcony 
• All rooms can accommodate an extra bed for a child 
• Interconnecting rooms available.

Amenities/Leisure:

• Buffet breakfast 
• Restaurant serving buffet meals 
• Fiskekroken bar and lounge with live music 6 days a week 
• Terrace with view over the fjord 
• Bicycles, canoes, pedal boats and rowing boats are available for hire (payable locally) 
• Guests can use the leisure facilities (swimming pool, tennis courts and spa) at the Hotel Alexandra in Loen – payable locally 
• Free parking 
• c.10-minutes drive from the small town of Stryn where there is a tourist office and a couple of restaurants 
• Attractions nearby: Nordfjord Folk museum, Jostedalsbreen National Park Centre and mountain farms (open for visitors) at Stryn and Byrkjelo 
• Loen is the starting point of a popular five-hour hike (3 hours back) up to the plateau of Mount Skåla 
• Loen Active Company operates from the hotel and offers mountain hikes, bicycle hire and the opportunity to climb the Via Ferrata mountain.
• From May 2017, a new cable car from Loen will transport visitors into the mountains and to a height of 1011m. From the summit will be spectacular views over the surrounding fjords and the Jostedalsbreen National Park. There will also be a restaurant and hiking trails to enjoy.  

Narrowing as it winds its way inland, passing waterfalls, abandoned farms perched on mountain ledges and imposing peaks, the Geirangerfjord finally comes to rest at the village of Geiranger. A bustling harbour village during the summer months, Geiranger is often explored by day-trippers from one of the many cruise ships that sail the waterways. Despite the influx of tourists during the summer, the village, as well as the spectacular landscape and wealth of activities, warrants a longer stay.

Affording superb views of the Geirangerfjord and enjoying a quiet location set back from the harbour front, the position of the Union Hotel, in our opinion, is unrivalled. There has been a hotel on this site since 1891, and since 1899 the residing hotel has been owner-managed by the Mjelva family. Today Monja and Sindre Mjelva, fourth generation owners, extend a warm welcome to their guests. Breathtaking views of the Geirangerfjord can be enjoyed from many of the hotel bedrooms, lounge and panoramic restaurant, and for those wishing to relax and unwind, a well-maintained garden, swimming pool and outdoor Jacuzzi pool complete the scene.

Surrounded by meandering fjords, small fishing communities and majestic mountains, the Art Nouveau town of Ålesund is the ideal location for a short break, a base from which to explore the spectacular Sunnmøre coastline, or as part of a fly-drive holiday exploring the Fjord region. Brosundet Hotel lies in the heart of the historic centre of Ålesund, surrounded by beautiful, individually designed Art Nouveau buildings and a myriad of turrets and spires. Originally built in 1906 as a warehouse for salted cod, this listed building has been tastefully remodelled and modernised to create a charming hotel of character.

Attention to detail is apparent throughout from the individually decorated bedrooms to the excellent seafood restaurant and attentive service. Recommended.

Accommodation:

• 47 rooms including 8 single and 31 standard rooms and 6 junior suites, 1 twobedroom suite and a lighthouse suite 
• All rooms have a bathroom (hip bath or shower), hairdryer, cable TV, telephone, complimentary WIFI internet connection and minibar 
• 12 standard rooms and some junior suites have a canal view 
• Some standard rooms can accommodate an extra bed  
• Due to the age of the building, rooms vary in size
• Safe deposit box available at reception.

Amenities/Leisure:

• Buffet breakfast 
• ‘Restaurant Maki’ with panoramic canal views specialising in seafood (closed Sundays) 
• Lounge 
• Bar 
• Lift
• Parking nearby c. 150NOK per night 
• From Ålesund it is possible to visit the island of Runde – home to one of the largest bird sanctuaries in Northern Europe, with over 230 species, and explore the islands of Giske, Godøy and Valderøy or explore the Geirangerfjord or Hjorundfjord on a day excursion.