If

If
you’ve ever been taken by the cabin-porn trend on social media, the chances
are you’ll already have an image of Storfjord Hotel tucked into
your Instagram saved folder. Set on a gentle, pine-forested
hillside, the dark-timber eco-lodge is cradled between three
dramatic mountains and the fairy-tale-like lake Storfjorden, which
connects to the Unesco World Heritage sites of Geirangerfjord and
Hjørundfjord.

Hand-built in the traditional “laftehytte” Nordic style, each
turf-roofed cabin gives on to panoramic views of the surrounding
forest and fjords, with bold checked fabrics and cocooning
sheepskin rugs epitomising Scandi-chic comfort inside. Encircled by
2.5 hectares of private grounds, within thousands of hectares of
forest, the family-owned boutique is the perfect playground for
outdoor fanatics – although we wouldn’t blame you for staying put
with a book in one of its cosy corners for the entirety of your
stay, either.

The hotel sits above fjord Storfjorden, between three
snow-capped mountains. | Photo credit: The Ingalls / 62°
Nord

Rooms

Each of the hotel’s 30 rooms offers views over the forest or
fjords, while the majestic two-bedroom Storfjord Suite overlooks
both. Clad in traditional lafta wood, with hardwood floors and a
scattering of antiques and tartan fabrics, the bedrooms feel more
like those of a mod-rustic family farmhouse than a hotel, while
underfloor heating and plump down duvets add a luxurious, cosy
finish.

What’s for breakfast?

A buffet of dreams – think flaky pastries, just-baked bread,
fresh fruits, yoghurt, granola and a line-up of top-notch cheeses
and cold meats – plus a great selection of hot food including all
types of egg dishes sure to warm and fill guests for the day
ahead.

How about lunch and dinner?

Unpretentious yet meticulously presented and paired with
top-class wines, Storfjord’s four-course dinner offering is a
lesson in hearty Nordic cuisine. A showcase of the region’s best
culinary bits, the ever-changing menu is curated according to the
seasons, with the head chef working closely with local producers to
source all food as sustainably as possible.

Is there a bar?

There’s no dedicated bar, but drinks can be served throughout
all communal spaces of the hotel. Find a cosy corner and settle in
for a cockle-warming tipple, or order a locally brewed
Storfjordbrygg ale, made exclusively for the hotel.

Amenities

Storfjord’s smart subterranean spa (complete with a swoon-worthy
sauna and two cossetting treatment rooms) raises the property’s
hygge levels to new heights. Just slip into a warm robe, then
follow the scent of pines and sandalwood candles down to the
wellness space for a genuine pause from the outside world. Top it
all off with a soak in the open-air hot tub – mountain views,
guaranteed.

How about their green credentials?

Everyone on the Storfjord team is passionate about supporting
the local community and surrounding natural environment – the hotel
reinvests profits into several local educational schemes and
restoration projects, and all food is hyperlocal, being sourced
from nearby farms and producers. The bathrooms and spa are stocked
with sustainable bath products, while eco-friendly lights glow
throughout.

Traditional “laftehytte” cabins offer Nordic-style
interiors. | Photo credit: Margaret M de Lange, The Ingalls / 62°
Nord

What about accessibility?

Three of the ground-floor Junior Suites are wheelchair-friendly;
one overlooking the forest and two with fjord-facing vistas.

What’s the crowd?

As an adults-only stay, Storfjord tends to attract couples and
outdoorsy groups looking to take a plunge into some of Norway’s
finest natural attractions.

Things I should know

It can get chilly in winter – bring your warmest woollies for
outdoor activities – although you’ll be kept toastie inside the
hotel with underfloor heating, blankets and roaring fireplaces
galore.

Within a short walk I can find…

A smorgasbord of Norwegian nature. Borrow bikes, snowshoes,
walking poles or fishing gear from reception and head out on a
self-guided exploration of the region’s network of fjords and
hiking trails. Make a trip to the nearest farm, where couple Inger
Anne and Bjørn Tolaas take visitors on a local food safari via 20
home-cooked courses served in their self-built farmhouse. Down at
Glomset Bay (a short stroll from the hotel), there’s a fleet of
kayaks waiting to take adventurous types through icy waters, while
fishing trips, fjord cruises, wildlife sea safaris, electric-car
and helicopter rides can all be booked as day trips through
reception.

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