Eikum Hotel, Hafslo

Pros  

• Enjoy a traditional hotel and restaurant serving free breakfast with lake views, a private beach, and a pretty garden.
• Due to its prime fjord location, a slew of outdoor activities is possible for all seasons like glacier tours, hiking, trout fishing, boating, and skiing, which can be arranged by staff.
• The restaurant has a full bar and serves traditional Norwegian fare in the high season.
• Guests can inquire about hiking and biking trails that can be accessed from the hotel; bike rentals are available. 

Cons

• Rooms are small and basic, perhaps best suited for those who don’t plan to be in them much.
• WiFi may not work in all the rooms—inquire at the front desk for better service if that’s a priority.

Authenticity

Stepping into this hotel is like stepping into another era. This 100-plus-year-old hotel has been owned and operated since 1919 when it only had two beds to offer to its first English guests. Through the years, as tourism expanded, so did the hotel. Today, there are hand-woven textiles that decorate the walls from the previous family members who ran the place, as well as photos and family heirlooms. The vibe is quiet after breakfast when most guests are out and about exploring, though don’t be surprised on Saturdays to find a traditional Norwegian wedding taking place, complete with colorful costumes and a vintage bus. 

Location

The hotel is based in the village of Hafslo on a lake of the same name, just a 10-minute drive to Solvorn with ferry access to the UNESCO-listed Urnes Stave Church. The hotel is also within an hour’s drive of the Jostedal Glacier (for activities and tours), the Sognefjellet National Tourist Road, the Breheimsenterent Glacier Center, and the Norwegian Glacier Museum. Winter skiers also have access to the Sogn Ski Center a few miles away and can literally ski home from the resort all the way to the Eikum Hotel. During warmer months, staff can readily recommend hiking and biking trails in the area, and can arrange fishing permits for the lake. Parking at the hotel is free and there’s a grocery store chain across the street for basic supplies. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

There are 59 rooms at the hotel with simple, traditional decor that may include clapboard walls, carpeting, and locally woven textiles from previous family members who ran the place. The rooms, including single, double, and family rooms with sofa beds, have TVs and simple bathrooms with basic bath products. If WiFi is a priority, make sure to request a room closer to the lobby. An elevator is available for those with mobility issues.

Other Highlights

A spacious in-house restaurant that can seat up to 240 guests serves home cooking and has done so since the hotel first opened in 1919. The restaurant prepares a two-course dinner each evening during the summer months with traditional dishes and a local pudding specialty for dessert. If the restaurant isn’t operating during the winter months or is closed for a private event, staff will suggest local restaurants in the Hafslo area.