About this hotel
General information
Set on the shore of the Lustrafjord in the village of Solvorn, Walaker Hotel describes itself as Norway's oldest family-run hotel: travellers have been lodged here since 1640, and a single family has kept the house since the end of the 17th century. The hotel is a cluster of buildings from different eras — the Main House dates back to the 1630s, Tingstova to the 1620s, the Garden Wing was added in 1964, and the contemporary Villa Walaker sits a little way up the slope. Together they hold 26 rooms.
History, art and food set the tone. A barn from 1883, built with materials from Solvorn's 17th-century church, now houses the hotel's own gallery, Galleri Walaker 300, which shows local and national artists and still bears traces of the church decoration. Each evening brings a four-course dinner, after which the host leads guests through the buildings with the story of the hotel and the village. Walaker Hotel belongs to De Historiske, the association of Norway's historic hotels.
Location
Solvorn is a small village on the Lustrafjord, an inner arm of the Sognefjord; its centre, one of the best-preserved coastal settlements of the 19th century, is protected as a heritage site. From the pier a small ferry crosses to Urnes Stave Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The nearest airport is Sogndal Airport Haukåsen, 35 km away, with direct flights from Oslo (about 45 minutes) and Bergen (about 35 minutes). By road Bergen is 230 km, Oslo 350 km and Trondheim 430 km; an express boat links Bergen with Sogndal in roughly 4 hours 45 minutes. There is on-site parking with electric-car charging.
Sports & leisure
Marked footpaths lead from Solvorn along the fjord and up the hillsides to wide views, and the hotel's own guide lists hikes of every level in the surrounding valleys, including routes towards the Jostedalsbreen glacier. Other options:
- electric bikes for hire by the half or full day, with rides along the Lustrafjord
- kayaking on the Lustrafjord, with kayaks available to hire in the village
- RIB trips on the Sognefjord and a round trip by ferry on the Nærøyfjord
- the ferry crossing to Urnes Stave Church
- an evening tour of the hotel's and Solvorn's history with the host; every room includes admission to Galleri Walaker 300 with a guided visit
- bocce in the garden, a piano in the fireplace lounge and, on request, a visit to the Champagne cellar
For children
There are no dedicated children's facilities. In the Garden Wing rooms the sofa unfolds into a bed for one adult or two children, so the Superior Room sleeps up to three.
Restaurants & bars
The kitchen builds on seasonal local produce from fjord and mountain, and the daily four-course dinner is the centrepiece of a stay.
- Restaurant in the Main House — a set four-course dinner every evening at 7.30 pm with matched wine suggestions; the menu changes daily with the season, and the chef adapts it for allergies and preferences
- Glass Veranda — breakfast and dinner with access to the garden; on fine mornings breakfast moves out to the terrace overlooking the fjord
- Breakfast — à la carte dishes (omelettes, eggs Benedict, oats made with local apple juice) alongside a buffet of homemade bread, waffles and jam from the hotel's own plums
- Fireplace lounge — a shared sitting room with books and a piano, with drinks ordered from reception
- Wine cellar and Champagne cellar, the latter set in the old potato cellar, stocking vintage and non-vintage Champagne from established and lesser-known houses
- Two-course lunch — by advance arrangement at least seven days ahead, including access to the gallery and garden
Swimming
There is no pool. Swimming is in the fjord: the village beach, nicknamed "Costa del Solvorn", is said locally to have the warmest water in the whole Sognefjord. Guests can also stretch out on sunbeds in the garden, which is reserved for hotel guests, among roses, lilacs, fruit trees and trickling ponds.
Skiing
This is not a ski hotel, but a short drive away, in Jotunheimen and around the Jostedalsbreen glacier, ski-touring summits suit every level, and the hotel can help arrange a guide. Afterwards there is the fireside lounge or the fire pit in the garden.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Rooms
The 26 rooms are spread across four buildings: historic rooms in the Main House and Tingstova, larger rooms with terraces in the Garden Wing and four contemporary rooms in Villa Walaker. Rooms in the historic houses are reached by stairs and each is individually furnished, pairing modern pieces with wallpaper or timber walls.
Every room has a private bathroom with toiletries and free Wi-Fi; all rooms are non-smoking, and coffee is set out at the Garden Wing entrance from 6.30 am.
Best Historic Room
The two largest historic rooms, on the second floor of the Main House, with the finest views of the Sognefjord and the rose garden. King-size bed and an old English-style bathroom with a clawfoot tub and separate shower; sleeps two.
Historic Room
Eight individually decorated doubles — five in the Main House and three in Tingstova — with a king-size bed and a private old English-style bathroom. The Tingstova rooms have wardrobes and two of them a bathtub; sleeps two.
Historic Twin Room
The only historic twin, on the second floor of Tingstova, with timber walls, two single beds and views up the valley and over the yard. Sleeps two.
Premium Room
A spacious Garden Wing room with a seating area, air conditioning and a private terrace with outdoor furniture facing the fjord and the garden. The double bed splits into two singles; sleeps three with an extra bed.
Superior Room
Seven Garden Wing rooms looking onto the garden and fjord, with seating indoors and on a small terrace. The double bed splits into two singles and a sofa bed takes one adult or two children; sleeps three.
Deluxe Room
Four smaller rooms in Villa Walaker with a double bed, air conditioning and a private outdoor seating area beside a garden pond. Views down over the hotel grounds to a glimpse of the fjord; sleeps two.
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.