Gateway to some of western Norway’s most dramatic landscapes, this woodland hideaway is our top choice for a secluded Scandi retreat
21 November, 2022
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Three of the ground-floor Junior Suites are wheelchair-friendly; one overlooking the forest and two with fjord-facing vistas.
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.
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.
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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