Kviknes Hotel, Balestrand

Pros  

• Enjoy a fourth-generation, family-run hotel with elegant common spaces, a private art collection, and memorable fjord views.
• The hotel is within walking distance to Balestrand's passenger ferry terminal with express service to Bergen, as well as galleries and a small aquarium.   
• Most rooms on either side of the hotel have balconies with fjord views.
• A grand dining room serves international buffets and multicourse menus, while a bistro provides casual lunch and dinner options.

Cons

• Guests with limited mobility should request to stay in the newer section, which has elevators, versus the historic wing, which does not.
• The unattractive exterior of the newer wing might be a turnoff, but as of 2022, most of the rooms have been recently renovated. 

Additional Notes From Lilly

Arriving at Kviknes Hotel was a mixed experience for me since I parked next to the newer wing—a bit of an eyesore in this charming fjord town. All that changed when I entered the original wing a short walk away, with bellhops and a uniformed front desk. I looked through the first floor and explored the sitting rooms filled with art and antiques facing the fjord views. Guests seemed to have plenty of space to spread out both indoors and outside on the terrace and surrounding walking paths. The hotel manager was eager to share the history of the original wing and made a point to tell me that many staff members have been working here for decades. 

Authenticity

History buffs will appreciate that the Kvikne family took over the hotel in 1877 and still own it today. And while the family has made significant modern updates to the rooms in the annex, as well as the conference facilities that have the ability to pull in large professional groups during the week, they have kept four generations' worth of old-world antiques and artwork on display for guests to admire.

Location

Located in the small town of Balestrand, Kviknes Hotel fronts the Sognefjord and is surrounded by forested and snowcapped mountains. Guests can arrive by car on a scenic route that includes a 20-minute car ferry in Dragsvik if arriving from the east. There's also a 3-hour express passenger ferry in Balestrand with daily crossings to and from Bergen (the hotel is a short walk from the ferry terminal). Balestrand itself can be experienced in a day with its walkable core offering art galleries, a museum, an aquarium, and a traditional stave church. Most guests choose to stay a few days to enjoy the area's natural beauty with challenging hiking trails and fjord adventures. Free parking at the hotel is available. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

Most guest rooms (160) are located in the newer building that opened in 1965, though it's an easy walk to get to the historic wing. Some might be turned off by the austere exterior of this building, but comfortable rooms have seating areas and private balconies with a glimpse of the mountains and/or fjord. Many floors have been renovated in 2018 with updated decor. In the historic wing, there are 30 rooms with old-world furnishings, including patterned wallpaper—and many come with balconies facing the fjord. Sizes range from single rooms to family rooms with pullout sofas that can sleep four. 

Amenities

Fjord views are available from various common spaces in the hotel, including the historic bar and lounge and outdoor terrace. Complimentary breakfast buffets and dinner buffets or multicourse menus are served in the grandiose dining room every day, and guests can peruse a wine list with more than 300 bottles. Lunch can be ordered at the bistro near the front desk, where a small menu is served from 1 pm to 9 pm. There's a small fitness center on-site and a souvenir gift shop.

Family-Friendliness

While Kviknes Hotel offers spacious rooms that can accommodate families, it doesn't have specific amenities tailored for children, such as kids' areas or babysitting services. However, the hotel's location and the range of activities available in Balestrand, like hiking and water-related activities, can make it a suitable choice for families looking to explore the outdoors together.