About this hotel
General information
Hotel Union Øye sits in the tiny hamlet of Øye, hemmed in by steep mountains at the quiet head of the Norangsfjord – one of the oldest hotel addresses in Sunnmøre. The timber main house was prefabricated in Norway and brought here by ship along the Hjørundfjord in 1891, and from then on it became a summer base for mountaineers, travellers, writers and musicians drawn to the Sunnmøre Alps. That past is everywhere: in creaking wooden floors, vintage climbing gear on the walls, rows of archive photographs and the grand piano in the salon, which is still played.
Every room in the main house is decorated individually and named after a notable guest from the hotel’s past. Around it lie a Victorian garden with a pond and terrace, a kitchen garden of herbs and edible flowers, and a «klyngetun» – a cluster of timber farmhouses in the old western Norwegian manner that holds the garden rooms. The library keeps a rare collection of alpine and exploration literature, including the only complete set of the Alpine Journal in Norway, from its first issue in 1863. The hotel is a member of Relais & Châteaux and holds Miljøfyrtårn (Eco-Lighthouse) certification.
Location
The hotel stands in Øye, at the innermost end of the Norangsfjord where the Norangsdal valley begins, in the Sunnmøre region of western Norway. The road is open all year, and every driving route includes a scenic ferry crossing. The nearest airport is Hovden, about an hour away with direct flights from Oslo and Bergen; Ålesund Airport Vigra, which also handles private jets, is roughly three hours away. The hotel arranges transfers by car, by boat from Ålesund and by helicopter, has its own helipad for guests, and visiting yachts can moor at the hotel quay.
Spa
Wellness here centres on a fjord sauna on the shore of the Norangsfjord, a short walk from the hotel, where the heat can be followed by a plunge into the cool fjord or simply a pause in the fresh air with the mountains all around. Hotel guests can drop in every morning; at other times the sauna is booked privately.
Sports & leisure
Trails start at the front door, from easy valley walks to guided summit climbs in the Sunnmøre Alps. The hotel also organises:
- kayaking on the Norangsfjord from the boathouses below the hotel, in guided groups or privately;
- e-bike rides through the Norangsdal valley past old summer farms and mirror-still lakes;
- snorkelling in Lygnstøylvatnet, a lake where birch trunks and the remains of a farm flooded by a landslide in 1908 still stand underwater (thick wetsuits provided);
- From Fjord to Summit, a guided day combining cycling, a mountain hike and kayaking;
- private boat trips on the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord;
- sightseeing flights and transfers in the hotel’s own helicopters;
- day hire of a classic Morgan Plus Four sports car for the mountain roads of Sunnmøre;
- chef-prepared picnic baskets taken to old fjord farms, a glacier or scenic viewpoints.
On wet days guests gather in the wood-panelled game room, with its fireplace, chess, backgammon and a snooker table that has been there since 1891, or in the library. In the old barn an activity concierge books local guides and keeps a selection of quality woollen outdoor clothing, while the Guild Hall upstairs hosts concerts, exhibitions and private celebrations.
For children
For families and groups of up to eight, the hotel lets Torestova, a historic grass-roofed log house a few steps from the main building, with three bedrooms, a sitting room, a dining area, a kitchenette and two bathrooms. The hotel describes its instructor-led cross-country skiing as well suited to beginners and families.
Restaurants & bars
The cooking draws on Sunnmøre producers and the hotel’s own kitchen garden, where the chefs pick herbs and vegetables most mornings. The venues:
- The Historic Dining Room – the hotel’s traditional dining room, serving lunch and dinner every day: regional dishes à la carte and a three-course set menu in the evening, popular with locals as well as guests;
- The Conservatory – the gastronomic restaurant, glass-walled, overlooking the kitchen garden and the fjord, with Mount Slogen visible through the glass roof; dinner is a seasonal signature tasting menu;
- The Palm Room – the bar, with hand-painted ceilings and walls, cocktails built around aquavit and Nordic spirits, local beers and small plates for sharing;
- Wine Room – a cellar room where the sommelier leads tastings on weekday evenings and Bollinger Champagne is poured by the glass.
Breakfast pairs a small cold buffet of local cured meats, smoked salmon, cheeses, house-baked bread and preserves with cooked dishes to order, including the traditional porridge. Afternoon tea on four tiers is served in the sitting room every Wednesday and Saturday, and on fine days tables are laid out on the garden terrace.
Swimming
Swimming here means the fjord itself, most often a cold dip in the Norangsfjord straight from the shoreside sauna. For something different, the hotel runs guided snorkelling trips in the clear mountain lake of Lygnstøylvatnet just above Øye.
Skiing
The Sunnmøre Alps rise straight out of the fjord, and routes from Øye lead into steep, varied and largely untouched terrain. The hotel arranges guided ski touring for first-timers on skins and experienced skiers alike, instructor-led cross-country skiing, and snowshoe walks that can end with coffee by an open fire; all equipment is provided.
Rooms
Rooms and suites are split between the historic main house, where each room has its own character, and the garden farmhouses of the «klyngetun», with either light Scandinavian or warmer rustic timber interiors. For families and groups, the hotel also lets Torestova, a log house sleeping eight.
Every room has a sitting area, a separate shower and views of the mountains, garden or fjord; many add a bathtub, a balcony or a desk.
Garden Suite
A standalone building at the heart of the garden farm cluster, each with its own interior, from rustic timber to pale Scandinavian. King-size bed, sitting area with fireplace, bathtub and separate shower, and views of the mountains and garden.
Garden Junior Suite
A spacious, light room among the farm buildings, each with its own corner of the garden. King-size bed, sitting area with fireplace, bathtub and separate shower, a desk in some; mountain and garden views.
Garden Deluxe Double
A compact room in the garden farm cluster with calm Scandinavian styling: queen-size bed, sitting area, shower and double vanity, and views of the mountains or garden.
Suite
Three suites in the main house, each occupying a floor of its own: a living room with desk and balcony and a separate bedroom with king-size bed, fireplace and its own balcony. The large bathroom has a deep tub, separate shower and a bell for ordering drinks from the bath; views of the fjord, mountains and valley.
Junior Suite
An individually furnished suite in the main house with a king- or queen-size bed and sitting area; many have a balcony, some a bathtub and desk. Views of the fjord, mountains or garden.
Deluxe Room
A roomier main-house room with period character: king- or queen-size bed, sitting area and separate shower, some with a balcony, bathtub or desk. Views of the fjord, mountains or garden.
Classic Room
The most intimate rooms in the main house, each decorated individually: queen-size bed, sitting area and separate shower, a bathtub in some; mountain views.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.