In short… A hand-built timber lodge that perfectly captures Norwegian design, tradition and understated luxury. Gourmet local cuisine, forest and fjord views, and very friendly service. A great base for exploring coastal Norway and the surrounding fjords.
The history… Despite the impression you get when you first arrive at Storfjord Hotel, it isn’t actually that old—it opened in 2007 after construction was completed the year before. It’s part of the 62 Nord hospitality group that also owns a few other iconic Norwegian hotels, like the Hotel Union Øye & Brosundet (you’ve likely come across both on Instagram).
The vibe… Storfjord will absolutely give you “Norwegian vibes”—the building was constructed with traditional methods and is capped with the traditional turf roof common across Scandinavia. Inside, you’ll find wood paneling, stone floors, quiet library nooks, fireplaces burning all day, and Hans Dahl paintings on the wall. It’s clear that every corner of the hotel was thoughtfully designed. The grounds are quiet and invite you to take the long way from your room to the main building. There are a few outdoor seating areas, many with fire kettles, which make a perfect place to take a drink before or after dinner. On the side of the property, there are a few hot tubs looking out into the forest and a greenhouse. The outdoor area just through the back of the lobby is the perfect place to sit and take in the view of the Fjord.
The rooms… You wouldn’t know it, but Storfjord has 30 guest rooms across a few different small buildings. They are thoughtfully designed and include fireplaces, great bathrooms (with wonderful heated floors, it must be said), and either forest or fjord views. We opted for the forest view junior suite (which was best enjoyed with the large window open). It was named “Grevling” after the European badger. The room itself had everything you needed to have a comfortable stay.
Food and drink… This is maybe where the hotel really shined. Food, cocktails, wine and service were all outstanding. If you’re looking for a cocktail before dinner, there is no bar per se…but the wonderful staff will serve you anywhere. Our first night, we sat outside overlooking the fjord and were served martinis. The other nights we sat in the library by the fire and the staff remembered our orders and anticipated our need for a second round. The hotel was staffed by two sommeliers who really know their stuff. They were thoughtful in recommending wines for our meal, remembered what we had the night before, and accommodated some special requests. In warmer months, Storfjord opens a dining venue in the woods that is essentially a large tent called a Lavvo, where they served a rustic dinner cooked over the fire. It was a very intimate experience with only a few other guests. One note, though—the walk is a little longer than you may be expecting, so I would recommend wearing the right shoes. On another night, we dined in their waterfront boathouse, a small drive away from the main building. It can hold up to 12, but on that night we were the only diners. It was a very cozy and fun evening with the head chef and one of the sommeliers. This was a meal and experience I will always remember, and one of those examples of pure hospitality. For the other meals, we dined in the main lodge by the fire. Breakfast is a nicely curated buffet.
Extra tip goes to… The entire food & beverage staff. I mentioned I was looking forward to finding some wild game while we were there, and the staff sourced some special items (that night!) and served them the next day off-menu, and mentioned that they noted our conversation. We also loved the hot sauce they served with the oysters…the chef who made it fresh from their garden sealed up a small amount for us to take back, which we got when we checked out with a small note. These little touches make all the difference.
The wellness… The room has a yoga mat and there’s a spa for massages (which were excellent). There are also bikes for rent, a lot of great hiking and kayaking as well.
Be sure to… Get out on the water! We chartered a boat through the hotel for a fjord cruise to Hjørundfjord, made a stop at the somewhat-famous Trandal tree-swing, and went all the way to the extremely historic Hotel Union Øye and took a peek around before cruising back. Our captain was very friendly and knowledgeable and spent time telling us a lot about life on the fjord and the history of the area. I can’t imagine having not done that.
Parting words… Storfjord is a very special place. Visiting in May, the days were long and there were a few activities that aren’t available in the winter…like dining in the forest lavvo. It’s such a peaceful place, the service was some of the best we’ve ever had, and we genuinely hated to leave. We will be back!
Date of stay… May 2025
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