Imagine waking up in a remote luxury lodge surrounded by snow-dusted landscapes or glittering fjords, before a day of mountain hiking, ski touring or sea kayaking. Or perhaps you’d prefer to curl up next to a crackling fire in a historic farmstead, before bubbling away in an outdoor hot tub while gazing at a thousand stars.
Norway is where wilderness meets luxury, with everything from cutting-edge Arctic cabins to far-flung retreats serving Michelin-worthy food foraged from the local surroundings. Some of these places can even be hired out in their entirety for a truly exclusive stay. Here, we reveal our top picks for spectacular getaways in our favourite country.
Tailor your own high-end adventure. Come on Up!
Tailor your own high-end adventure. Come on Up!
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1. Åmot Norway
Tucked away in the heart of the spellbinding Norwegian fjords, this remote country homestead is a truly idyllic retreat. Combining traditional rural living with elegant hospitality, Åmot is where authenticity meets exclusivity. The farm itself is steeped in history and effortlessly blends comfort and rich cultural heritage, with elegant rooms sprinkled with family heirlooms.
Encircled by pristine fjord landscapes, it offers guests a superb range of exclusive experiences, from private fjord cruises and gourmet picnics by the Gaular salmon river to rowing the viking ship Bygstad and stave church visits. Nevertheless, the most compelling reason to stay here are the hosts, Steinar & Yngve, and their extended team of fabulous people, ranging from talented musicians, local farmers and chefs, and professional mountain guides.
An Up Norway itinerary can combine at stay at Åmot with a bespoke drive on one of Norway’s most spellbinding roads, Scenic Route Gaularfjellet. The route takes you past gushing waterfalls, glassy mountain lakes and thriving farmsteads.
2. Lyngen Lodge
The location of this luxurious pine-and-stone crafted lodge could hardly be more breathtaking. Overlooking the glittering blue waters of the surrounding fjord, beyond which the snow-dusted Lyngen Alps tower majestically, this far-flung boutique getaway is the perfect wilderness escape.
Inside, the friends-owned lodge is all crackling fires and soothing Scandi design, with a top team of chefs, hosts and activity guides. The latter offer guests the chance to tick off a bucket list of Arctic adventures, from Orca and Humpback whale watching to dog-sledding and Summit to Sea skiing above the fjords. The remote location means there is no light pollution, so the Northern Lights shine brightly here. There’s plenty to do in the summer months, too, when long days of sunshine allow glacier hiking, biking and encounters with local wildlife. For a truly special experience, the whole eight-room lodge can be booked for an exclusive stay.
3. Staurneset - Owner's cabin
This picturesque cabin on the island of Giske lies just a few minutes from downtown Ålesund, but feels blissfully remote. Pale Nordic décor pairs elegance with simplicity, with three luxurious king-sized bedrooms, two bathrooms, a spacious dining room and kitchen, along with a cosy open fireplace in the living-room. For an extra treat, book a private chef for your stay, who will whip up Norwegian culinary classics for you.
Outside you’ll find white-sand beaches and rocky tide pools, with the white-capped peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps on the horizon. Giske is the land of Viking nobility, often visited by orcas and inhabited by seals and sea birds. It also attracts world-famous artists, with a renowned recording studio within sight of the cabin.
4. Nikkahuset
Beautifully restored, this 250-year old log house has been in the same family for generations and is now a stylish holiday home. In a picturesque spot by the river, it was totally refurbished and restored in 2021, with cool retro furniture and vibrant interior design complementing the house’s unique soul and history. Spread over two floors, there are seven elegant bedrooms, sleeping 12 guests.
Best of all is the outdoor jacuzzi, perfect for soaking with friends while drinking in the views. In the beautiful village of Valldal, Nikkahuset is surrounded by soaring mountains and wild nature, with plenty of opportunities for scenic hikes, kayaking and canyoning. It’s also within easy reach of UNESCO-protected fjord landscapes, along with the dramatic Scenic Route Geiranger-Trollstigen.
5. The Arctic Hideaway
An architecturally stunning collection of eco-friendly cabins on the remote island of Sørvær, the Norwegian name for this extraordinary retreat is Fordypningsrommet, which means ‘the immersion room’. That is exactly what draws guests here – the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the magnificent natural world of the Arctic Circle in Northern Norway. The brainchild of jazz musician and composer Håvard Lund, the Hideaway is designed to be hired in its entirety – five sleeping cabins, a kitchen, studio, bathrooms and sauna, with a caretaker on site.
You’ll be on your own private island, reachable only by boat with no car or roads. Aside from gazing at the extraordinary views (the cabins are strategically positioned to enjoy incredible vistas over the nearby archipelago), activities are designed to help you slow down and reconnect with nature. Go collecting mussels and scallops to make fresh seafood pasta, take a guided hike up to the peak of Sandhornet for mesmerising views of Nordland, try sea bathing from the sauna quay and spot wildlife including white-tailed sea eagles and resident otters.
6. Naustet Stokkøya
A design-lovers delight, this stunning converted boathouse is a high-end holiday home right by the water’s edge on the laidback island of Stokkøya. Geometric windows gaze out over shimmering seas, while inside there’s a cutting-edge kitchen (you can book a chef if you don’t fancy cooking), private bar and plenty of cosy corners for reading by the fire.
Upstairs, four stylish loft beds are arranged at different heights, while outside there’s a small sandy beach, private sauna and outdoor hot tub. The crystal-clear waters are prime scallop territory and the cabin comes with its own dock, boat and diving gear. Cook your catch on the outdoor BBQ for a true Nordic feast.
Naustet is only a drive away from explore the gastronomic delights of the nearby Golden Road – we can tailor a tasty itinerary combining the two.
7. Holmen Lofoten
You wouldn’t expect to find Michelin-quality food on a far-flung island in Norway’s wild Lofoten archipelago, but this family-run collection of former fishermen’s huts has been transformed into a unique culinary destination. While accommodation is cosy and rustic-chic, the real draw here is the restaurant, with an emphasis on ultra-fresh, hyper-local food (guests join the team on expeditions to source ingredients for the day’s menu).
Several times a year, four-day food-centric retreats, the ‘Kitchen on the Edge of the World’, draws big-name chefs for a unique culinary experience of feasting, foraging and reattuning to nature. As luxury travel moves further away from the ostentatious, Holmen Lofoten offers a different, more meaningful kind of luxury – the indulgence of turning off, slowing down and reconnecting with nature.
8. Larsgarden Tunhotell
Twelve generations of farmers have cared for this idyllic farmstead in the tranquil hamlet of Berge, perched high above the majestic Høyangsfjord. The whole house can be rented out, sleeping up to 12 in rustic yet elegant style. A talented local chef cooks up delicious feasts for guests using homegrown vegetables, berries and fruit from the garden, fish from the fjord and deer from the woods. If you need to burn off all that delectable food, the hiking here is superb – from gentle rambles around the farmstead to invigorating hikes up Skaalebotn mountain.
9. Juvet Landscape Hotel
Juvet represents one of the first landscape hotels in Norway. Located in Norway's northwest, just outside the village of Valldal - it is close to the dramatic Scenic Route Geiranger - Trollstigen and UNESCO heritage protected fjord landscapes. The lodge, including its landscape rooms, birdhouses constructed in a traditional Norwegian log house style, and the Writer’s Lodge "chalet", can be rented exclusively on selected dates.
Juvet offers an incredible restaurant and kitchen in their barn with a terrace facing the scenic river and valley. Let's not forget the outdoor hot tub and steam room available to guests looking to relax and unwind. Escape from the hustle and bustle, and allow yourself to just exist - alongside nature. If you are Up for an outdoor adventure, we know just the right guides!
10. Høyevarde Lighthouse
Always dreamed of staying in a lighthouse? For centuries, the Høyevarde lighthouse has been a landmark, guiding sailors along the Karmsund strait. It even gets a mention in British history books thanks to the Earl of Bothwell, lover of Mary, Queen of Scots, who was taken prisoner here after he fled from Scotland.
Now, it has been converted into a one-of-a-kind luxury hotel, with ten elegant, classically-furnished guest rooms and serene gardens. The restaurant focuses on seasonal, fresh produce – the chefs keep their own sheep, hens, beehive and herb garden, and seafood is fresh off the boat. Close by lies Avaldsnes, an ancient viking site that’s well worth a visit.
11. Villa Støtvig
Located on a sandy beach by the Oslofjord just an hour drive from Oslo city centre, you'll find the brand new Villa Støtvig surrounded by forest and rocky cliffs and with views to Færder lighthouse on a sunny day.
The villa has 6 double bedrooms, 6.5 baths, an heated counter current pool, open kitchen area, library, meeting room and a roof top terrace. The villa was completed in 2023 built with high quality materials, exciting interior details and pieces of art. Villa guests have access to all facilities of the adjacent Støtvig Hotel such as gym, spa, bowling, cinema and shuffleboard. Furthermore, stays include 24-hour service, private chef, access to wine sommelier and bartender, three daily meals and refereshments, daily cleaning and turndown service.
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