"You're going to disappoint the children. They expect a fat Santa." ~Mrs. Claus, Rudolph the Red…read moreNosed Reindeer When travelling close to Flåm, a restorative and quaint side tour for regular humans (or pit stop for fjamous men in red suits needing to fatten up before a worldwide tour) is a trip to Fjaerland by passengerboat. Fjaerland is a fjolksy village of about 300 people, sitting along the Sognefjord where it meets the Jostedahlsbreen glacier. The town, dubbed "Norway's Book Town", is known for its secondhand bookshops...some even set in old cow sheds and pigpens! If you haven't come for the books, you are likely there to see and experience the surrounding magical scenery by kayak or by hiking through the mountains or glaciers. Whether you've worked up your hunger by hiking, bumming around bookshops, or delivering presents, you'll eventually be fjamished for lunch. There is no fjiner choice than to dine at Fjaerland Fjordstove. Fjabulously situated overlooking the fjord and glacier, Fjordstove hotel and restaurant charms with its amazing setting and shabby chic décor. At the reception desk, we met the fjastinating and hospitable hotel owner, Bard Huseby, who promptly guided us to a seat outside on the wrap-around deck. We felt like we were sitting in the middle of a live postcard with unbelievable views in every direction! Bard was quick to make us feel at home and ensure that we swiftly had beer in our hands to help us cool down and relax. We had grown so fjond of Hansa beer that we all ordered it without a second thought. Unfortunately though, we all regretted that choice later once we found out that Bard makes his own craft beer, Fjaerlands Ale. Hansa glasses in hand, we considered ourselves very fjortunate to enjoy such a tranquil spot where time seemed to stand still. The scene almost fjelt fjictitious, but our hungry stomachs quickly brought us back to reality. While looking over the menu, we appreciatively noticed that the hotel procures its ingredients locally (beef will come from grass-fed cattle in fields close to the hotel), including the reindeer meat in the burgers we ordered. Let's hope none of that meat came from everyone's favorite reindeer, or there will be a lot of sad boys and girls (and adults) this Christmas! So what is reindeer meat like? Our burgers were very flavorful and juicy with no hint of reindeer game-iness or tinsel at all. There was a fjaint aftertaste of wrapping paper, but that quickly crumpled away. I wouldn't say the meat glowed, but it was very lean and tender--definitely a burger that would go down in history! Our lunch and the great views at Fjordstove were some of our fjavorites from our trip! Though we likely won't be back in the fjorseeable fjuture due to the remoteness of the village, you should definitely pop in for fjeast here if you are in the area. If you're lucky, maybe you'll get to peek at Santa's "Naughty or Nice" list!

Amazing dinner - way more inventive and delicious than anyone would expect to find out here in…read morebeautiful, remote Fjærland. Three course dinners are served here each evening with seasonal, local ingredients at 7:30 sharp. This charming hotel has a farmhouse feel overlooking the water and nearby glaciers, and the setting is intimate with about a dozen tables. We weren't guests at the hotel but we decided to make a reservation as this was a quick walk from where we were staying. It was a relaxed fine dining experience, definitely one of the best meals of our Norway trip and worth a detour if you are wandering the fjords. I would recommend making a reservation in advance using the contact number on their website, note the price for dinner was 550 kr per person as of Aug 2017. Tonight's menu was smoked fish to start with a lovely beetroot creme, a hearty plate of braised ox and cabbage, and finally a creative dessert of rhubarb topped with ice cream and a delightful sweet wafer. This was the type of food we hoped to enjoy in Norway!

Flam can be hard to find a hotel/accommodations during the summer, so we were not sure when this…read morewas our only option, but we were pleasantly surprised at this hotel. The check-in was a breeze and the rooms were modern and well maintained with modern bath and comfortable bedding. Our refrigerator was not working properly and they replaced it efficiently. The breakfast buffet is large and plentiful, but note it gets crowded, so best to go early and/or get a reservation. The onsite brewery/restaurant is quite good but you should also book a reservation there for dinner during busy season.

As quaint as they come! The Flamsbrygga Hotel is in the immediate center of the little hamlet of…read moreFlam, with proximity to the tourist excursion piers, restaurants, shops, and cultural/eco walks. The rooms on the front feature balconies with chairs and table, offering wonderfully scenic views of the main fjord harbor. The baggage-stow area is unlocked and does not offer tags or other security, but other than that, the hotel is a total delight!

Our bus from Gudvangen to Voss stopped by the Stalheim Hotel to give the riders an opportunity to…read moretake in the views and use the restrooms. This review only covers the amenities accessible by us. The restrooms here were pretty awful smelling inside. Significant improvements needed. The views from the back of the hotel down into the Nærøydalen valley would've been nicer on a clear day. One could just make out the old winding road below us. Too bad as others have posted some beautiful photos on a clear day. We did a quick walk through of the hotel and found the decor was of an older style with a mixture of antique statues, furnishings and other items. A gift shop also sold drinks and snacks so it was good opportunity to grab a quick snack before continuing on the bus to Voss.

Came here as a coffee and pastry break during a tour…read more Highlights: * the back terrace is the place to sit back and relax as it has amazing views of the Nærøy Valley * there is a rather larger gift shop that is split into multiple levels * the restrooms are located on the lower lever, and there was an elevator for those who couldn't use the stairs * they was a mini museum that was made of of various items from the previous hotel owners collection *the did off a nice gluten free brownie ***the main road getting into the hotel is narrow and two way, though really wide enough for a single car in a section, so there might be a brief queue when tour buses arrive/depart

This spot had amazing views The food and service was great! Just be mindful the portions are large…read moreand we over ordered! Definitely recommend this place!

Absolutely beautiful views! Great customer service! And a gastropub on site too! Wow wow wow!read more

We stayed there in August 2024. My friend and I were visiting Norway to research our family…read morehistory. Hafslo was a great home base for us to venture out from each day and the Eikum Hotel was a wonderful place to stay for three nights. The rooms were clean, the beds were comfortable and the hotel was quiet. I highly recommend the Eikum Hotel. The staff was so helpful and friendly and were patient with all of the questions that we asked about their community and country. Breakfast and dinner were unbelievable. The breakfast buffet had a varied assortment of food, each dish was delicious. We ate so much, we did not need lunch. We ate dinner there each evening and each meal was out standing, we were impressed beyond words. This is the place for a comfortable, welcoming stay and if you enjoy eating.

The Hotel: I had a very pleasant stay at Røsheim. Everyone…read morewas very friendly and helpful. The room I stayed in was charming. It was tastefully and appropriately decorated to match the age of the place. I particularly liked the upright wooden bathtub and was pleased that there was enough hot water to fill it up (which took some time). While I thought the restaurant was a little pricey (for my budget) I ended up eating there 2 of the 5 nights I was there. On the other hand I thought the rooms were very reasonably priced and they had 4 different priced rooms to offer. As I mention below, the rooms may have been cheaper since I was there in September. The Restaurant: The food I had at Røsheim was the best I had in Norway on my three week trip! Truly exceptional food with service to match. There is a set menu and you can get all four courses for 600 NOK (around $72) or just 3 courses for 500 NOK (around $60). Keep in mind that this doesn't include any drinks. Add some wine and your dinner bill could easily be more than your room bill. Keep in mind that I was there towards the end of the high season so prices might have been less.

Conveniently located only 200 m from the Håreina stop, and a lot less expensive than the hotels in…read moreFlåm, where most people book. So glad I booked this place because it was a nice break away from the stressful and crowded Norway in a Nutshell tour. It's a 2 mi / 45 min scenic walk to Flåm, where you can explore the small town that includes a free museum, some seafood places, a Coop grocery store, and a nice view of the head of a fjord. It's around $7 to take the Flamsbana from Håreina to Flåm. I would suggest walking to town and then taking the train back, or if you're up to it - walking both ways. This place is a great escape from tourists (and society, in general). It was so peaceful, tranquil, and completely unreal to be able to walk outside and read a book on a hammock with the cleanest air around me and the mountains as a backdrop. Our host was incredibly wonderful and sweet. She even fed us some of her homemade flat bread. She was considerate enough to send us a message saying that she wouldn't be in when we arrived, so she made arrangements for us to check in otherwise. The apt is so cute and was perfect for my girlfriend and myself. I think it'd be a great getaway for a small group or family of 4. The beds are queen-sized, and there's even a small kitchen if you ever want to cook your own meal. Plates, glasses, and eating utensils are provided. There was even tea bags, instant coffee, and a kettle for use. The laundry machine isn't very user friendly, but the user manual is provided. It definitely works, but can take a while. Linens and towels are not provided and can be rented. She just asks that you wash your dishes and throw out the garbage before you check out. Also! Her daughter has a forest cat that roams around the front of the apartments. She's sweet, friendly, and not afraid of people. Just a warning for those who are allergic.

This hotel is excellent. Think classy outdoors person who wants to enjoy proximity to amazing fjord…read moreviews without sacrificing quality of hospitality, interesting architecture, delicious food, and decor that suits this all perfectly. My partner and I attended a wedding weekend here, enjoyed the feast of a reception and morning buffet, rested well in the neat and comfortable rooms, and loved the balcony view.

We stayed a night at the Kviknes hotel in the "new" (in 1960) section with an eye popping view down…read morethe fjord. Because of the lack of king beds (queens only at this property) I decided to save a few bucks here and apply them to a splurge elsewhere. The motel-6 chic of the new section with tiny room , 2 cot-sized twin beds and balcony was perfectly fine for a one-night stay and to give us a bit of a rest from the 5-hours on the train from Oslo via Myrdal and Flam. As there is no AC, to cool the room one needs to leave the patio door open which was ok given the typically cool climate here. The room was in good shape and clean but very austere-more like a dorm room with older bath fixtures and small spaces. Don't expect the spa treatment here-just one all-purpose gel for body and hair and thin utilitarian towels. We also dined in the restaurant for dinner (there's not much else in "town") and were delighted with the 4-course, pre-fixed menu that include local foods and preparation. At $85/pp it was a bit pricey but hey-we saved on the room right? Because of the large size of the hotel you can expect to encounter so me large bus tour groups from china and elsewhere during your stay. A big plus is the hotels proximity to the dock where the ferry arrives-2min walk-and they have a bellman there to grab bags if you need help. I was a bit surprised when we arrived on the ferry (not a random occurrence) and made our way to the hotel along with 20 other guests, that we waited several minutes for any staff to appear to start the checkin process. Now, they did have all the keys ready so the process moved quickly.

"If I'm going to die of anything, it's going to be gluttony."…read more (Justin Timberlake) At the outbreak of WWI, frequent guest Kaiser Wilhelm II received his daily news from the comfort of the Kviknes Hotel, no doubt over some local beer and spirits. Lording majestically over Balestrand's harbor, the historic hotel was certainly fit for a king with its regal façade and stunning Sognefjord setting. In fact, throughout its history, the hotel has hosted many royals, celebs, emperors, and presidents. Book early to snag a room in the historic part of the hotel, rather than in the concrete addition. Wander throughout the building to feast your eyes on antiques, carved wooden furniture, and oil paintings, before feasting on dinner. ROCK THE BOAT: Most travel to town via bus or by the Norled express boat. The hotel is steps away from the ferry terminal. DINNER IS SERVED: One may eat at the Balholm Bar Bistro, or choose the famous smorgasbord, 4-course set menu, or order à la carte in the dining room. The dining room seats hundreds; reserve a table of two or more in the private attached room to avoid the chaos, and to enjoy window seats with views of the Sognefjord, as we did. I recommend trying the plum dessert wine or one of 300+ other available wines from the Bistro after dinner. BUT IT WILL COST YA: Approx. $75 US--this affords you the opportunity to sample various traditional dishes that you would otherwise miss out on. The only complaint we had was that some of the hot dishes were lukewarm. THE FIRST RULE OF FIGHT CLUB: Put on your Brad Pitt game face and prepare to battle a sea of rude, aggressive tour groups (other reviews have mentioned this as well). We attempted chess-like maneuvers to navigate the hostile food station area, but were checkmated by one particularly rude dude. He puffed his chest and threw his hands in the air for extra effect, challenging us for approaching the island in the opposite direction as him (plates were on both ends of the island). There were many of his species, so we dared not approach the buffet alone. Safety in numbers, people. THAT DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS LOOK: The buffet islands were beautiful and beckoning, displaying local traditional meats, such as lamb, juicy pork tenderloin, beef, reindeer, baked and smoked fish (including many types of salmon), and shell fish. We were able to try many types of fish we had never heard of before, and we agreed all were tasty and prepared perfectly, Not to be outdone by the meat stations, there were salad, hot dish, and bread choices aplenty, along with a charcuterie station with local sausages, cheeses, and deer pate. LET THERE BE CAKE: Leave room for dessert, friends. Share bites of your crème brûlée or chocolate mousse with your companions to experience as many of the endless delicious puddings, flans and cakes as possible. Overall the hotel could use quite a few updates, and the tour groups are insufferable, but a jaunt through the building at the very least is worthwhile (or stay and pig out like Timberlake)! 5 salmon fillets for the scenic setting and art collections 3.5- 4 salmon fillets for the buffet and service 0 salmon fillets for the rude buffet guy. May there be karmic buffet retribution in his future. "Life is a glorious banquet, a limitless and delicious buffet." (Maya Angelou)