Strand Fjordhotel

This is an old hotel, but the staff go out of their way to build a really positive atmosphere that means it’s a great place to stay. It’s definitely a fabulous location for hiking and kayaking in this area. We had single rooms…they face on to the fjord with door that opens on to the terrace where you can sit and watch the world go by. I recommend this hotel if you’re happy to forgo excessive luxury.

We found this hotel very disappointing and ultimately checked out without staying overnight after having to walk back to town in the pouring rain to find something to eat because their kitchen was closing (the dining room was filled with a tour bus of people - obviously they have shifted to taking care of tours over guests). The hotel that we ended up eating at was much nicer so we left the Strand. The manager couldn’t understand it. My biggest problem is that tiny print says their check-in ends at 8 pm, and if you don’t make prior arrangements to check in after that you will be fined 250NOK. Well the boat that arrives with travelers doesn’t arrive until 7:50pm down at the boat launch. We were panicked - who knows how long it takes to drag your bags in the rain to their door from the docks? Why would you have that policy if the boat doesn’t arrive until then? Of course boats could be off schedule. It appears they try and run this like a hostel that caters to hikers. That’s fine but it is not worth the money. Lastly, the mildew smell in our room was terrible and although it says non-smoking the carpet smells like someone has smoked in there for years. We paid for a double deluxe fjord view room and we would not stay in it! I think that says it all.

My wife and I are advocates of Macs Adventures—-a Scottish touring company that caters to hikers around the world. Macs Adventures lines up the hotel and moves your luggage daily to the next hiking area. The hotels are always lovely—not 5 star resorts—but comfortable, friendly hotels with nice dining and drinks, and always set in gorgeous scenery with amazing backdrop views. Against this very high standard of excellence, the Strand Fjordhotel stands out relative to a large offering of great hotels. The meals (the hotel offers 1/2 board) are simple, but superb. Classic Scandinavian breakfasts (read into this healthy and tasty and simple, but with a full choice of cereals, meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, yogurts) and accompanied by a hot egg and meat entree. The same is true of the dinners—healthy, simple, delicious. The rooms are well-accompanied and they look out on a bay of the Hardanger Fjord. Majestic is but a starting compliment. The common areas include outside decks to enjoy the views, comfortable sitting rooms for coffee and reading and conversation or work (avoid at all cost). The hotel also serves as a sport hotel-offering kayaks, bicycles, paddle boats and other means to more fully enjoy the scenery of the fjord. This is not a hotel for 1-2 nights, but 4-5 nights with days full of hiking, biking, boating and soaking in the remarkable ambience of Norwegian summers. The highlight was the service. It was possible that someone was not smiling at some small moment, but we did not catch it. The owners are active in managing the hotel and exemplify service. We would be remiss to not mention Angelou—the son of the owners. We had a change of plans and he picked us up at a new location at a longer distance than expected. He could not have made our journey better. Smart, friendly and truly focused on his guests. You can always spot an owner and Angelou could not have been a better introduction to the Strand Fjordhotel. Ulvik is not a town for disco, but it is Norway at it’s finest. Friendly people. Breath-taking scenery. Fruit orchards at every turn. And of course, the Strand Fjordhotel. A must stay.