27 Best Hotels in The Western Fjords, Norway

With a beautiful location along the Hardangerfjord, this modern hotel makes sure that the rooms along the waterfront have expansive windows and balconies where you can enjoy your morning coffee or a drink after dinner; these rooms and suites have also been nicely renovated, making them far superior to the rooms facing the other direction. But all the rooms have modern contemporary decor and all the amenities you may need. Speaking of views, the restaurant also looks out over the water.

In the center of the city, this midcentury-modern hotel is named after engineer and architect Peter Andreas Blix, who used his own money and resources to restore two local gems: Hove Stone Church and Hopperstad Stave Church. Rooms have modern furnishings with a traditional Norwegian flare. The restaurant has a peaked roof that gives it an open and airy feel.

On the edge of the water, these self-service apartments have breathtaking views of the fjord. The accommodations are spacious, some including two bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen where you can prepare whatever you bought at the market, so it's no surprise that many families make this their base for exploring the area.

One of western Norway's most beautiful hotels, the Fretheim has a classic, timeless look thanks to its whitewashed facade topped with a tower. Staying true to the hotel's 1866 roots, the rooms are furnished simply. Book in advance for a room with a fjord view. Rooms in the new northern wing of the hotel are slightly more comfortable than the older ones, although the price is the same. If you can spring for a suite, you'll have more space and nicer furnishings. There's a spectacular view of the fjord from the restaurant and bar.

The hotel's majestic setting on the cliffs overlooking the Geiranger fjord assures stunning views from almost every room. Although the building is prosaic and the rooms a bit dated, the hotel, though not luxury by any standard, is a good value, with comfortable, spacious rooms and bright, pleasant common areas. There's also a decent in-hotel restaurant.

How about staying in a Viking-theme room, just a stone's throw from Norway's own Viking village of Njardarheimr? That's one of the joys of Gudvangen Fjordtell, in addition to the great location in the center of Gudvangen. The hotel is traditionally furnished, with lots of "Norse" details throughout. The nicest place to hang out is in the lobby, warmed by a huge metal fireplace.

In the center of Odda, this lodging has a couple of things going for it: sweeping views of the water and a location that puts you within walking distance of most attractions. The rooms are very simply furnished, yet have everything you'll need for a short stay. There's an on-site bar where many guests gather after a day in the great outdoors.

Located a little outside the center of town, this local lodging has a quiet vibe. It also feels homier than most, with plenty of places inside and out where you can gather with the family or meet new friends. The grounds are beautifully landscaped. Breakfast and a three-course set menu are included in the price.

Originally built in 1884, this longtime favorite has been transformed into a modern luxury hotel made of stone and oak. One thing that has never changed is the service, which remains top notch. They are pleased to help you plan various outdoor activities in the Nordfjord area or book a treatment at the popular spa. The rooms are spacious and decorated in light, cheerful colors, and many have spectacular views of the fjord or the entrance to Lodalen Valley.

The largest hotel in the area, Hotel Union is Geiranger's closest thing to a luxury hotel. It sits directly on the cliffside with unobstructed views of the extraordinary Geirangerfjord, so be sure to ask for a room with a balcony. The accommodations are spacious and comfortable, with all the modern conveniences. The spa is pricey but worth the splurge, and the outdoor whirlpool tub and two pools are a big plus for families. The dining room serves three meals, and snacks are available all day long, as well as complimentary coffee and tea.

In the Myrkdalen Valley about a half-hour drive from the center of Voss, this year-round destination is particularly popular in winter thanks to the popular cross-country and downhill skiing facilities. In the summer, the hotel is a great base for hiking. The rooms have a rustic vibe reminiscent of a mountain chalet.

This downtown hotel has modern, unfussy rooms and is well placed for local attractions, shopping, and the Caroline Cinema and Conference Center, just around the corner. Bedrooms mostly keep to sober, IKEA-style Scandinavian design, with splashes of red, green, or gray.

It's difficult to sleep in late at this downtown hotel—the spread of one of Norway's best breakfast buffets makes a hungry stomach stand at attention. Pancakes, waffles, cheese, nuts, fruit, eggs, and seafood are laid out across several tables in the elegant restaurant, Sans, which has won awards for its locally sourced regional cuisine. The rooms may be somewhat less memorable, but are certainly adequate. 

This gleaming white hotel is known for its homey and casual atmosphere, with rooms that feel much more cozy than your usual chain offerings. The common areas are smartly furnished and filled with sunlight. It is centrally located in Ålesund, making it a great place to stay if you want to be close to the city's main attractions. Renovated in 2022.

On the north edge of Innlandet Island, this hotel is one of the region's best, with views of the harbor that receive so much praise for its natural beauty that it keeps people awake at night. Luckily, the calming and cleansing sea breezes passing through the floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies eventually lull the busiest minds to sleep. Rooms are otherwise small, but subscribe wholly to the highest quality of Nordic minimalism, with dashes of lime green in the fabrics. The hotel restaurant is open all day and serves a dinner buffet stocked with local specialties like klippfisk.

The views alone----overlooking the lake and the mountains beyond---are reason enough to choose this hotel, but it also has a relaxed atmosphere and amenities ranging from packed lunches for the trail to a gear-drying service so you don't have to pack wet clothes. The hotel partners with the local tour company Trolltunga Active to sponsor hikes to Trolltunga. In 2021, more rooms were added in their new wing, and they now also have a restaurant made of glass in front of the hotel.

Along the Flåm Railway, this lodging feels like a proper alpine resort (think antlers on the wall, wooden benches for seating, and lots of colorful blankets). In the winter, they'll get the fire roaring to keep you warm and cozy. The rooms are simple, but the communal areas make up for it. It is a 20-minute walk from Myrdal Station. The hotel can only be reached by train.