The Best Hotels in Norway for Every Traveller

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This hotel has been run by the same family since 1690, so it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing. It also makes it the oldest hotel in the nation and one of the top boutique hotels in Norway. Walaker Hotel offers incredible views over the Lustrafjord and is close to the idyllic village of Solvorn in Luster. Every evening at 7.30pm, the restaurant serves up a delightful four-course dinner of the highest standard which changes every day.

With the mountains as its backdrop, this distinctive hotel has been a temporary home for visitors since 1891. Each of the 30 rooms is named after notable people who have stayed at the hotel, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the British author of Sherlock Holmes; composer Edvard Grieg; the explorer Roald Amundsen; Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany and the Danish author Karen Blixen. Thanks to a 200-million krone investment you can expect recent additions of beautifully remodelled gardens, a library, games room, palm room – and even a helipad.

Become one with nature in Europe’s first landscape hotel, and stay in one of the uniquely crafted rooms that offer breathtaking views over the local area, thanks to giant walls of glass. This cool hotel is made of cubes, built into the landscape, which blend perfectly into their background. There is also a two-bedroom Writer’s Lodge and Bird House log cabin to stay in as well. Head to the Bath House for a sauna and hot tub with sweeping vista over the river. For dinner, make your way to the converted barn – the kitchen used to be a pigsty, and the dining room a cow byre. Expect beautifully presented, seasonal and local food.

Situated just twenty minutes from Oslo, this elegant house has been popular with generations of royalty and the upper classes who came to Losby to hunt. For the past 300 years the estate has welcomed guests with friendliness and generosity. The hotel offers numerous outdoor activities, including its own 18-hole and nine-hole golf courses as well as a driving range and tennis courts.

Built by Christian Thams, a man known for his perseverance who became a successful architect, minister, landowner and consul general, this old manor house is the perfect place to unwind. The building itself is reminiscent of a castle, offering visitors a real-life fairy tale. Inside you can relax in one of the lounges or Jaktbaren, the hunting bar, surrounded by trophies, weapons and photographs from Thams’s travels in Africa.

If you’ve always wanted to feel like James Bond, then Kirkenes Snowhotel is the perfect place to go, especially for catching the Aurora Borealis. In the far north of Norway, this hotel is rebuilt every winter so it can open its doors for a unique experience. There are 20 rooms, which are all decorated by artists from around the world and include intricate lit-up ice sculptures. It’s also worth a visit during the warmer seasons, when you can stay in the surprisingly luxurious wooden gamme cabins, inspired by traditional hunting and fishing huts.

An extraordinary hotel with its own microbrewery, the Flåmsbrygga is surrounded by rich forests, magnificent mountains and the Aurlandsfjord. With double and family rooms available, built using Norwegian timber, stone and glass, each comes with a balcony and fjord views. From here, ride the Flåmsbana Railway, cycle Rallarvegen, or go hiking in the dramatic landscape surrounding the tiny village.

A magical resort whatever the time of year, Fyri is not only the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts, but with their newly opened spa, you and your family can also enjoy a relaxing day by the mountaintop pool. Set in Hemsedal, known as the Scandinavian Alps and offering some of the best skiing in Norway, choose from cosy hotel rooms or a selection of self-sufficient apartments.

Tucked away on a hillside in Glomset, overlooking the Storfjord, this secluded Norwegian retreat offers guests a spacious and comfortable place to stay. A traditional timber-clad building from the outside, inside it’s an oasis of modern design and cosy luxuries. Head down to where the hotel meets the forest and you’ll also find the wellness lounge, outdoor hot tub and sauna.

Built with the beautiful views of the Nærøyfjord in mind, this predominantly glass building offers guests a choice of rooms and apartments, including those in a Viking style. From here, explore this UNESCO World Heritage destination on foot or by ferry, tour the magical white caves, visit the art museum or enjoy some salmon fishing or a scenic round of golf.

Hotel Brosundet is a Nordic design-lover’s paradise. A renovated warehouse found in the old harbour of Ålesund, a beautiful city set across several islands and known for its art nouveau architecture, its interior was designed by the internationally renowned Snøhetta. With its exposed beams, refined oak furniture and understated – yet luxurious – bathrooms, this hotel has an intimate atmosphere that oozes style.

The Arctic Hideaway offers an experience like no other. Found on the remote northern Norwegian island of Sorvaer, this car- and shop-free destination has only a twice-daily ferry to and from the mainland. There are ten small, eco-friendly, highly designed houses here. Four are for sleeping, while the rest are for bathing, cooking, eating and relaxing. There is also a wood-fired sauna.

Found in the newly established borough of Tjuvholmen, or Thief Islet, this exciting area of Oslo has a city beach as well as a series of cafes and shops to discover, as it leads you down to the must-visit Astrup Fearnley Museum. Meanwhile, the thoroughly modern Thief hotel has direct access to the Oslo Fjord, and every room has its own private balcony.

Located in the historic medieval city of Bergen, the Hanseatic has an excellent choice of charming rooms as well as three restaurants on site. Set in the heart of the Bryggen harbour district, be sure to explore the hidden world of passages in its surrounding streets, which are filled with small shops, galleries and artist studios.

This 47-room hotel, with its in-house bar and restaurant, is located in Frogner and just a three-minute walk away from the fashionable Bogstadveien Street, as well as a ten-minute walk from the breath-taking Royal Palace and its surrounding park. Originally built in the 1890s, the recently restored Saga Hotel mixes original features with new Nordic luxury.

This is an updated version of an article originally written by Louise Older Steffensen.