Nestled in the mountains of western Norway, Storfjord Hotel is an oasis of old-school alpine luxury and adventure. It’s a real stunner close to the village of Skodje, with a spectacular view of the fjord and the Sunnmøre Alps. The premise is clear: mountain majesty meets modern amenities.
The first thing many visitors will undoubtedly notice upon arrival is how beautifully the traditional log cabin design of Storfjord Hotel complements the dramatic beauty of the landscape. Rooms are in classic Scandi design, with minimalist aesthetics, and natural wood and stone finishes. They’re cosy and inviting while maintaining an eco-friendly ethos, with large windows framing views of the epic surroundings.
We particularly enjoyed the hotel’s thoughtfully appointed reading rooms: cosy spaces with large armchairs, warm lighting, shelves and coffee tables covered with the kind of high-end art and photography books we regularly find ourselves lusting over. They make for perfect spots to decompress after a day of outdoor exploration, a nice touch that adds to the homely atmosphere.
The spa offers a variety of massage treatments and the gym is modern and well equipped. Throw a stone and you’ll hit a sauna in Norway, but here, with a beautiful view of the woodlands, they’re really quite special. We also took the opportunity to soak in the outdoor hot tubs while drinking in the view (and the champagne). For those preferring to exercise outdoors, there are numerous trails for running or hiking, offering world-class views and pristine mountain air.
Outdoor activities are arguably what the Storfjord Hotel was built for. They are seasonal and range from the gentle to the strenuous with everything in between. A cruise to Geirangerfjord offers epic waterfalls, historic mountain farms, and the spectacular, untouched nature of a World Heritage region. Kayaking excursions on the cool, calm waters of the fjord are led by friendly and knowledgeable guides. Golfing in the Solnør Gaard Golf Course, snowshoeing in the forest, helicopter tours and a wildlife sea safari are available too.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Adventurer | AES | GMT +2 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Between skiing, hiking and eating, don’t sleep on the local towns and culture. A short drive to Ålesund, for instance, will give you access to one of Europe’s finest collections of art nouveau architecture. Rent a car from the hotel and drive along the Atlantic, winding bridges that hug an untamed coastline. Trollstigen Road offers dramatic cliffs and hairpin turns leading to breathtaking views. In Norangsdalen Valley, the road weaves through untouched scenery dotted with centuries-old mountain farms. |
But skiing is perhaps the biggest draw and all levels are catered for. You can ski the Norwegian Alps year-round, though the options expand to include cross-country skiing in the winter. These tours are customised and can be pitched at all levels, from families and couples to larger groups. Somewhat magically, a gentle ski across the Sunnmøre Alps on a clear evening even offers a chance to glimpse the Northern Lights.
Back at the hotel, local food is a big focus. Our multi-course dinners included fresh seafood, wild game, and seasonal vegetables. The dishes were presented with both exacting attention to detail and flair, and introduced personally by Executive Chef Nils Flatmark, whom we found to be quite the savant. A reigning Norwegian, Nordic and Culinary Olympics champion chef, by day, Nils can be found foraging in the hills for just the right ingredients for his exquisite, inventive yet traditional dishes. Wine pairings, meanwhile, were uniformly excellent and carefully selected to complement our meals, with both old classics and quirky choices, local and international labels.
Breakfast is a lavish affair, featuring an impressive buffet with a focus on Norwegian specialities, from artisanal cheeses to smoked salmon caught in the nearby fjords. Freshly baked bread, homemade jams, and a variety of hot dishes ensure you’re well-fuelled for the day’s activities. Staff were at pains to stress that the hotel follows a farm-to-table approach – all local and fresh, and only the best.
The team at Storfjord Hotel arguably embodies Norwegian hospitality: attentive yet unobtrusive, friendly but always professional. When we had to leave for an early flight, the team had a takeaway breakfast waiting for us with our driver, the kind of simple, unrequested gesture that goes a long way in making a luxury hotel stand out from the pack. The service is one thing, but the hotel also takes advantage of its epic surroundings in the best way possible, giving you a touch of the rustic outdoors without you having to rough it… a high-end venue with a hint of the old-world alpine lodge, fusing nature with luxury. What more could you want?
www.storfjordhotel.com | www.62.no
Photography by Margaret M. de Lange, Marøy & Klouda and The Ingalls, courtesy of 62°Nord
