Hofslund Fjord Hotel

Pros  

• Enjoy a charming hotel and outdoor pool, steps from the Sognefjord and the town of Sogndal—a great base for fjord activities.
• Many rooms have original clapboard walls and/or hardwood floors, and many offer spectacular views of the fjord from seated balconies or garden terraces.
• Breakfast is included in the price, and there’s a bar onsite for wine, beer, and basic cocktails. 

Cons

• Rooms do not have tea or coffee, though beverages are included in the breakfast spread each morning. 
• Lunch and dinner are not served at the hotel (unless for groups that pre-book) but there are restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. 

Authenticity

The hotel has roots as a trading post and coaching station until it was bought in 1912 by a local businessman who added its white Swiss-style exterior. Over the last century, it has gone through more changes and additions but is still run by a descendant (a niece and her husband) of the original family. Today, guests enter the hotel to find a friendly front desk area that leads to a spacious lounge where wicker chairs face the outdoor pool and lawn space. Adjacent to the lobby is a small bar—manned by the front desk attendant when needed—while the dining space next door might be hosting a candlelit buffet dinner for a tour group. Breakfast is served here each morning, free of charge, and guests can relax in the spacious room with fjord views decorated with historic photography and antiques.

Location

The Hofslund Hotel is located in the heart of the town of Sogndal, home of around 4,000 residents, with a direct location facing the Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord. The hotel is within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and conveniences, and a five-minute drive to the main intersection that leads towards either Balestrand or Fjærland. Many guests will have rental cars in order to get to area attractions, including fjord excursions, hiking trails, and glacier tours, and the hotel offers free parking. There is also a ferry terminal in Sogndal with service to and from Bergen, and a bus station with numerous departures to both Bergen and the Sogndal regional airport every day. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel offers four categories of rooms, and all are slightly unique with potential original details like clapboard walls and hardwood floors, while others may have newer decor with carpeting. What they do have in common are simple furnishings, flat-screen TVs, work desks, and armchairs. A higher category of standard rooms offers seated balconies facing the fjord. For more space, there’s a junior suite that can sleep three guests. On the top floor is the hotel’s largest unit—a bi-level suite with five beds—perfect for families. Both suites have private balconies facing the fjord.