Katie Acheson-Gray

The room in which we were booked was too small to accommodate our luggage (2 roller duffel bags, backpack of camera gear and two day packs). There was maybe just a foot of space between the beds and desk so walking around the room would have been challenging. And the promised view was just a glimpse of water if one stood in the right spot. We ended up with a very nice room with a view after we upgraded from the basic room to a junior suite. A very helpful front desk employee took charge of our upgrade. I think she gave us the best of the larger rooms that was available. We had a great view and plenty of room.

We were the middle of three attached fisherman's cabins. The room was rather dingy. Our sleep was disturbed by hearing the snoring and groaning of people in the neighboring cabins throughout the night. Apparently the walls were paper thin. The restaurant options in Batsfjord are very limited. The owner of the hotel and Batsfjord Rorbuer who also was the chef at the restaurant kindly prepared a healthy meal for me (grilled fish, potatoes and vegetables) in place of the fried fish and chips option that was on the menu. There would have been no other suitable restaurants if we had stayed the second night.

Our one bedroom apartment with kitchen, living room and bathroom was plain but spacious and comfortable . We enjoyed having the extra space and appreciated the proximity to the Atlantic Puffins.

This was our favorite lodging of our entire 2.5 week tour of Norway. Our cabin was new and well insulated so that we did not need to use a heater even on cold days. The living room had a huge window overlooking a grassy area where reindeer grazed each day. We also could see the Barents Sea and the island of Vardo in the distance. The proprietor welcomed us with a bowl of fresh grapes and a fresh loaf of bread and stocked the refrigerator with cheese, yogurt, eggs and other useful staples. The day trip to Hornoya Island was special. A short drive from Varanger View there were other species of birds which my husband was able to photograph. We loved this place!

The Grand Hotel Terminus in Bergen has a fantastic location, and the rooms are beautiful, but it was not quite our style. The hotel was very crowded with groups, and there was a wedding on Sunday that seemed to take over the place. There wasn't a lobby area to relax in, which was a bit inconvenient. Despite these issues, the room was great, and Bergen itself is lovely.

Vangsgaarden Gjestgiveri in Aurland was absolutely magical. It's located right on the water, and we stayed in the fisherman's cabins, which were fairly basic but offered such an amazing experience with a deck overlooking the fjord. The setting was reminiscent of being in the Alps. The breakfast spread was also lovely. If you prefer super fancy, this might not be your cup of tea, but we loved it.

We really enjoyed staying at the Kviknes Hotel in Balestrand. It's an old, charming hotel with beautiful views by the sea. However, it doesn't have an elevator, which might be a concern for those who have trouble with stairs. There's a lovely restaurant nearby at the harbor run by a Ukrainian chef, which was a pleasant surprise. The food was great, with a fusion of local and Ukrainian flavors.

The Cider & Fruit Wine Tasting with snacks in Balestrand was a delightful experience! We loved the variety of local produce and snacks on offer. It was a perfect way to spend the afternoon and learn about the local cider-making traditions. Definitely worth doing if you're in the area.

The Floating Fjord Sauna in Aurland was a unique and enjoyable experience. We love dipping in cold water, and the combination of sauna and fjord was perfect for us. The staff advised us to shower with warm water before the dip, which made the experience even better. We spent around an hour alternating between the sauna and cold dips, and it felt invigorating. A highly recommended activity!

Love, love, love this lodging! It's family-run and everything about it is superb. We had our own cabin, overlooking the fjord and snow-capped mountains, less than a mile from the ferry that took us to Fjaerland and Vik for day outings. The people who run it are incredibly helpful. When we had trouble charging our electric car, they actually offered to charge it on their own card and have us reimburse them. The dinner meals were superb. Any question we had was promptly answered. The cabin was so comfortable and relaxing that I joked with my husband about moving in. If you go to this area, THIS is where you want to stay.

A beautiful hotel with wonderful staff. The balcony overlooking the harbor was great and the breakfast buffet was amazing. Just like the other two hotels, the lack of air-conditioning was a bit of a problem for us. We would highly suggest that the hotels install ceiling fans or fans for those of us who like to sleep in cooler rooms. We had to sleep with all the windows open, and it was a bit noisy since it was right in the hub of the downtown activities. But the location was great with lots of walking activities nearby, and easy access to public transportation.

The view of the fjord from our room was spectacular. We were not expecting the dock to be right in front of our room, though, and sometimes made it a little awkward when people were out on the dock looking into our room. The room was absolutely beautifully appointed, but the only thing it was lacking was a place to put our luggage. Due to lack of air-conditioning the room did get a bit warm so I would suggest a fan or a ceiling fan.

The room was very comfortable and spacious. Although it got very hot due to lack of air-conditioning. The bathroom did not have an electrical plug so that made getting ready in the morning a bit tricky. Even though it was right next to the train station the noise was not really a problem. We ate dinner in the restaurant on the first night and we’re not overly impressed, but it’s a fantastic location, and they have an amazing breakfast buffet.

Our guide, Elin, is who made the day as amazing as it was. The drive up to the viewpoint was windy and twisty but once we got there, it was amazing. And I am very glad that we got there first thing in the morning as it got very crowded and when we arrived, we were the only ones there. The waterfall hike was fine, it really wasn’t a hike that we needed a “guide“ for, but what made it so fun was Elin’s enthusiasm and fun stories.

Another amazing day out on the fjords. Again, spectacular views, and this time it was not pouring rain so we were able to enjoy without getting soaking wet, although it was a bit chilly.

This was amazing! Even though it was raining and very cold, it was well worth it. One of the highlights of our trip!

We did not go on this activity as it was pouring rain that morning. We contacted Tom and he said that we could not be refunded our money for the tour as we did not cancel 72 hours in advance. I highly doubt the company even had the bike tours that morning, as it was raining so hard. But we were never offered a refund.

The rooms were a great size. Wonderful showers. And the staff were all very nice.

It was such a treat. We were able to meet up at the hotel lobby. Walking around and not being in a rush was especially enjoyable. And the snacks were all delicious. We're still talking about the waffles.