Sandven Hotel

Top choice in Bergen & the Southwestern Fjords


Located right on the waterfront in the centre of Norheimsund, the atmospheric Sandven Hotel dates from 1857 and has loads of charm, expansive balconies and excellent views from the fjord-facing rooms. Its public spaces are lavish but unusually light, with white-painted floorboards and pale oak boiserie.

Along with the grand dining spaces, there's also a pleasant fjord-side cafe and clubby bar that offers an excellent beer selection. And, yes, it has the requisite celeb room, the Crown Prince suite, where the future king of Norway once stayed.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bergen & the Southwestern Fjords attractions

1. Hardanger Maritime Museum

0.28 MILES

This engaging museum keeps alive the local boat-building tradition and is home to old wooden boats, exhibitions on restoration procedures and rope-making,…

2. Steinsdalfossen

1.48 MILES

Just 1km west of Norheimsund along Rv7, this 50m-high waterfall is a far cry from Norway's highest, but it does offer the chance to walk behind the water…

3. Ingebrigt Vik Museum

2.23 MILES

Under the direction of the Kunsthuset Kabuso, this permanent collection of the work of Ingebrigt Vik (1867–1927), one of Norway's best-loved sculptors, is…

4. Kunsthuset Kabuso

2.23 MILES

The Kunsthuset Kabuso runs a fascinating program that features big-name contemporary artists (Damien Hirst, Matthew Barney and James Turrell have all…

5. Hardanger Skyspace

2.25 MILES

US light artist James Turrell is known for his fascination with light, and has created a series of 'skyspaces' around the world, which are geometrical…

6. Steinstø Fruktgard

5.07 MILES

A high summer pilgrimage to this farm, a short distance east of Øystese, rewards with strawberries ripe in June and a bounty of raspberries, cherries,…

7. Hardanger Folk Museum

16.62 MILES

This excellent open-air museum is a repository for the cultural heritage of the Hardanger region. Wander through its collection of historic homes, boats,…

8. Grieg's Hut

17.7 MILES

The one-time retreat of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg is in the garden of Hotel Ullensvang.