Svinøya Rorbuer, Svolvær

Kimkim team favorite · 4.6 (16 reviews) · Standard
Cozy and comfortable resort featuring Rorbu cabins, suites, historical houses, an exclusive Manor House, and a restaurant

Overview

Svinøya Rorbuer offers a charming retreat in the vibrant fishing village of Svolvær, located on the island of Svinøya in Lofoten. Here, you can experience the authenticity of the Lofoten Islands, with its historical buildings and cabins nestled between the fish landing station, quayside buildings, and old local structures. The resort also has nature views, with the open ocean on one side and the Lofoten Mountains on the other.

Svinøya Rorbuer offers various accommodation types, including the original Rorbu cabins, suites, historic houses, and the exclusive Manor House. Each accommodation type is specially designed for comfort and decorated with modern furnishings. The Rorbu cabins, for example, are well-insulated and open all year round, with one to three bedrooms, well-equipped kitchens, and contemporary bathrooms. On the other hand, the Manor House offers a special touch of grandeur, having weathered every season since 1828.

The resort is also home to Børsen Spiseri, one of Lofoten's most renowned restaurants, in a venerable quayside warehouse dating back to 1828. Here, you can enjoy local produce and specialties, such as stockfish, delivered from the nearby fish factory. Alternatively, you can use your fully-equipped kitchen and local produce to prepare your own meal. To unwind, try the floating sauna with panoramic views just outside the restaurant. 

Kimkim's Take

Pros
  • You'll stay in authentic, high-standard rorbu cabins with modern amenities, surrounded by the sea and the stunning Lofoten mountains.
  • Experience the rich history of the region, with preserved timber and traditional craftsmanship in the cabins.
  • Witness the local fisheries and Lofoten Cod Fishery, integral to the region's culture and economy.
  • Indulge in delicious meals at the on-site Børsen Spiseri Restaurant, featuring atmospheric dining with harbor views.
  • Explore the historic general store from 1828, which now serves as the reception area.
  • Conveniently located just 1.2 km from Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage and express passenger boat docks, and 3.5 km from Svolvær Airport.
Cons
  • To access shops, restaurants, and activities, be prepared to walk over the bridge if you don't have a car.
  • While the art gallery is an interesting feature, it may not always be open during your stay.

Authenticity:

The rorbu cabins at this hotel offer a genuine experience of Lofoten's fishing heritage. Considerable effort has been made to preserve the authenticity of the cabins, maintaining the original timber and time-honored craftsmanship. The cabins are idyllically situated among traditional local buildings, fish landing stations, and fish racks, with the sea on one side and the stunning Lofoten mountains on the other. The fisheries remain an essential part of the region, and staying here allows you to observe these activities up close.

Location:

The hotel is located in Svinøya, the first part of Svolvær to be settled in 1828. It is conveniently situated just 1.2 km from Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage and express passenger boat docks and 3.5 km from Svolvær Airport. The hotel's setting in a historic fishing village offers a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere, while still being within easy reach of shops, restaurants, and activities in Svolvær.

Rooms & Bathrooms:

The rorbu cabins provide comfortable accommodations with one to three double bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, lounge area, and a modern bathroom with a shower and toilet. The cabins feature a simple design with enough space for families, and some offer lovely views of the bay. The Telegraph House, in particular, offers two cozy bedrooms, an excellent kitchen space, and comfortable living areas.

Other Highlights:

The hotel features Børsen Spiseri Restaurant, a highly-regarded dining establishment with a charming atmosphere and windows overlooking the harbor. There is also an old-fashioned general store from 1828 that now serves as the reception area, as well as an art gallery. Guests can enjoy deep-sea rafting and tailor-made Lofoten adventures, making the most of their stay in this beautiful location.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +47 76069930
Hotel address icon Gunnar Bergs vei 2
Travelers often mention

Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews

Beautiful Views

Many guests enjoyed beautiful views from their cabins, including views of the water and the town. The scenic surroundings were frequently mentioned as a highlight. (7 mentions)

A
“A very special spot in the world, with great charm and unbelievable views.”  — Alex H.
Michael
“a small home with a beautiful view across the water to the town”  — Michael B.
Sara
“with windows looking out over the boats in the harbour and Svolvær beyond.”  — Sara L.
Excellent On-Site Restaurant

The hotel's restaurant received high praise for its delicious food and friendly staff. Guests appreciated the historical setting of the restaurant, with some noting it was the best on the island. (6 mentions)

Chris
“The restaurant that was part of this establishment was especially special and authentic”  — Chris D.
D
“Hotel has the best restaurant on the island.”  — Da-Wei L.
Katie
“Great restaurant with delicious food and friendly staff.”  — Katie W.
Authentic Fishing Cabins

The hotel features traditional fishing cabins that are cozy, charming, and provide an authentic experience. Guests appreciate the unique and historical feel, with some describing it as their favorite part of their trip. (6 mentions)

Chris
“this incredibly, darling, fishing hut situation was quite possibly our favorite place of the entire trip”  — Chris D.
Chris
“it was so authentic, so clean, and we felt like we were actually fisherman Wayback when”  — Chris D.
D
“Our very first experience with traditional fishing cabin style hotel.”  — Da-Wei L.
Spacious Accommodations

The cabins are described as spacious and well-equipped, providing ample room and comfort for families and groups. Features like multiple bedrooms, kitchens, and living areas were appreciated. (4 mentions)

Michael
“Very clean, and lots of room!”  — Michael B.
Sara
“We stayed in the telegraph house with its two comfortable bedrooms, an excellent kitchen space (with appliances/drawers hidden behind elegant panelling), and comfortable chairs/sofa/table.”  — Sara L.
D
“2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and family room and a good size kitchen with eating area.”  — Da-Wei L.

Traveler Reviews

16 total ratings, 12 with reviews
4.6
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
4.8
Location
4.7
Staff
4.7
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.8
George P.
George P. M.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Sep 20, 2024
Very nice hotel with individual cabins next to the water an excellent location close to the port. Breakfast is ample but not as varied as with other hotels. A good place to stay for a few days to visit Lofoten and learn about the fishing tradition of the stock fish trade. The hotel is not one building and it’s pleasant to walk to the main reception and restaurant from the cabin. Read more

Very nice hotel with individual cabins next to the water an excellent location close to the port. Breakfast is ample but not as varied as with other hotels. A good place to stay for a few days to visit Lofoten and learn about the fishing tradition of the stock fish trade. The hotel is not one building and it’s pleasant to walk to the main reception and restaurant from the cabin.

Authenticity & Character
The architecture with wood is attractive and cozy.
Location
Stayed in September 2024
Jared
Jared B.
Ann Arbor, MI | Reviewed on Jun 13, 2024
We had our own fisherman cabin! Read more

We had our own fisherman cabin!

Authenticity & Character
Eat at the restaurant and use the floating sauna.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Had our own kitchen where I enjoyed coffee each morning while walking along the adjacent water inlet
Stayed in June 2024
A
Alex H.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 30, 2024
A very special spot in the world, with great charm and unbelievable views. Finding our cabin was a bit confusing, as it was easy to confuse our cabin number with a private home with the same address. Upon check-out, we were taken aback at having to strip the linens and take out the trash ourselves (or accept a penalty cleaning fee), but that was not enough to deter from our fond memories of this stay. Read more

A very special spot in the world, with great charm and unbelievable views. Finding our cabin was a bit confusing, as it was easy to confuse our cabin number with a private home with the same address. Upon check-out, we were taken aback at having to strip the linens and take out the trash ourselves (or accept a penalty cleaning fee), but that was not enough to deter from our fond memories of this stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in April 2024
Michael
Michael B.
Irvine, CA | Reviewed on Oct 09, 2023
Our original room was in a red cottage. No view and in from the water. They had an upgrade available, a small home with a beautiful view across the water to the town. Very clean, and lots of room!Very happy with the accomodations. Read more

Our original room was in a red cottage. No view and in from the water. They had an upgrade available, a small home with a beautiful view across the water to the town. Very clean, and lots of room!Very happy with the accomodations.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in October 2023
Chris
Chris D.
Boulder, CO | Reviewed on Jul 13, 2023
This incredibly, darling, fishing hut situation was quite possibly our favorite place of the entire trip. That is a funny thing to say, since it was the tiniest, but it was so authentic, so clean, and we felt like we were actually fisherman Wayback when. The restaurant that was part of this establishment was especially special and authentic. Read more

This incredibly, darling, fishing hut situation was quite possibly our favorite place of the entire trip. That is a funny thing to say, since it was the tiniest, but it was so authentic, so clean, and we felt like we were actually fisherman Wayback when. The restaurant that was part of this establishment was especially special and authentic.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in July 2023
THERESA
THERESA G.
Clifton Park, NY | Reviewed on Jun 08, 2023
The Svinøya Rorbuer was a nice fishing cabin with an amazing restaurant in a building from the 1800s. The staff took good care of us, but the town itself was a bit too industrial and less appealing. Read more

The Svinøya Rorbuer was a nice fishing cabin with an amazing restaurant in a building from the 1800s. The staff took good care of us, but the town itself was a bit too industrial and less appealing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in May 2023
Sara
Sara L.
Stowe, VT | Reviewed on Mar 14, 2023
Loved this place! It was the first part of Svolvær to be settled (1828) and comprised a whole village of original fishing rorbuers, a telegraph house, a general store filled with everything you could ever want (in the 1800's!) now the reception, and a very atmospheric dining area with beautiful wooden beams, on two levels, with windows looking out over the boats in the harbour and Svolvær beyond. We stayed in the telegraph house with its two comfortable bedrooms, an excellent kitchen space... Read more

Loved this place! It was the first part of Svolvær to be settled (1828) and comprised a whole village of original fishing rorbuers, a telegraph house, a general store filled with everything you could ever want (in the 1800's!) now the reception, and a very atmospheric dining area with beautiful wooden beams, on two levels, with windows looking out over the boats in the harbour and Svolvær beyond. We stayed in the telegraph house with its two comfortable bedrooms, an excellent kitchen space (with appliances/drawers hidden behind elegant panelling), and comfortable chairs/sofa/table. There was an art gallery, but it wasn't open.

Authenticity & Character
Everything! See my main review for specific comments.
Location
Set apart from the main town, over a small bridge, but still very accessible on foot. Amazing views of the harbour and the mountains behind the town.
Staff
Very helpful and accommodating. If they didn't have someone else coming into the rooms we were in, they would have let us hold onto them until the evening when our boat left. They told us about an excellent hike that we went on (one of the best of the trip). They let us leave our bags in the general store, and didn't seem too upset when we totally repacked at the end of the day!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in March 2023
Pauline
Pauline M.
Australia | Reviewed on Jan 16, 2023
This is a beautiful setting in a fishing village. We stayed in a well-equipped 2 bedroom cabin which was a warm and cosy retreat after winter activities. There’s a very nice restaurant on site. If you don’t have a car be prepared to walk over the bridge to access shops, restaurants and activities. Read more

This is a beautiful setting in a fishing village. We stayed in a well-equipped 2 bedroom cabin which was a warm and cosy retreat after winter activities. There’s a very nice restaurant on site. If you don’t have a car be prepared to walk over the bridge to access shops, restaurants and activities.

Authenticity & Character
The preservation of the village’s history
Location
Beautiful setting
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Heating was on and everything was well presented on our arrival
Stayed in January 2021
D
Da-Wei L.
Alhambra, AZ | Reviewed on Oct 16, 2022
Our very first experience with traditional fishing cabin style hotel. Simple design and amenities but has enough space for our family of 4. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and family room and a good size kitchen with eating area. 7 min driving from the airport which is very nice. Connect to E10 (major route connecting the island chain) via a bridge. Secluded and quiet. Nice view of the bay from our cabin. Hotel has the best restaurant on the island. Read more

Our very first experience with traditional fishing cabin style hotel. Simple design and amenities but has enough space for our family of 4. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and family room and a good size kitchen with eating area. 7 min driving from the airport which is very nice. Connect to E10 (major route connecting the island chain) via a bridge. Secluded and quiet. Nice view of the bay from our cabin. Hotel has the best restaurant on the island.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in October 2022
Katie
Katie W.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Oct 16, 2022
Beautiful place to stay, loved listening to the water at night. Very cozy and charming. Great restaurant with delicious food and friendly staff. Terrific location - easy to get to and easy parking! Read more

Beautiful place to stay, loved listening to the water at night. Very cozy and charming. Great restaurant with delicious food and friendly staff. Terrific location - easy to get to and easy parking!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in September 2022

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with hotels like this.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +47 76069930
Hotel address icon Gunnar Bergs vei 2