10 Best Historic Hotels In Norway - Updated 2024

1. Bergen Børs Hotel (from USD 333)

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Located right in the heart of Bergen, Bergen Børs Hotel is one of the newest and most stylish hotels in the city, having been launched in 2017. However, it is also simultaneously one of the oldest buildings there. The property is actually a combination of 3 buildings, the most prominent of which was built in 1862 and was once known as the Børshuset, the stock exchange.

The guest rooms are modern, but some common areas of the hotel have retained their period touches. The delectable dining at the Michelin-starred BARE Restaurant will give you all the sustenance you need to keep exploring the city.

2. Røros Hotell - Bad & Velvære (from USD 143)

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The idea of building this 4-star hotel surfaced in 1935 as part of a plan to boost the local economy, following the dwindling of the copper industry in the region. However, it took several years before it was built and finally opened its doors to guests in 1951, bearing the name Røros Tourist Hotel. Since then, the hotel has undergone renovations and even rebranding.

3. Kviknes Hotel, Balestrand (from USD 187)

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Kviknes Hotel got its name from the Kvikne family, several generations of which have owned and managed the hotel since 1877. Believe it or not, they were not actually the first to own the property and instead purchased and expanded it.

It took several renovations — and the help of Franz W. Schiertz, an architect and painter — before the hotel was opened to the public in 1890. More renovations have since been made by the Kvikne family until it became the hotel that people know today. The guest rooms in the modern wing of the hotel were built in the 20th-century.

4. Røisheim Hotel & Skysstasjon, Lom (from USD 152)

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Røisheim Hotel & Skysstasjon is not your typical hotel — it features tar-painted homes, which give a clue of the several transformations the property has undergone in the past. It was built in the 1700s and originally served as a farm, before evolving into a coaching station and then a hotel. This hotel provides guests with fantastic mountain views. It has its own chapel. Walking tours are offered by the hotel if you want to explore the surrounding areas.

5. Fretheim Hotel, Flåm (from USD 220)

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Fretheim Hotel may have been refurbished to allow guests to enjoy modern amenities, but the manor house itself was originally built in the 1800s, when Flåm began seeing English fishing enthusiasts pay a visit to the village to try their hand at catching local salmon and trout. Originally used as a farm by Christen Fretheim, the richest man in the village at the time, the building was converted into a hotel to accommodate these visitors.

A garden, which was developed by Christen’s cousin Marthe, was subsequently added to the property. Flam Railway is right beside the hotel.

6. Sogndalstrand Kulturhotell (from USD 230)

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The history of this hotel is tied closely with the history of Sogndalstrand itself. The port town has thrived on fishing since the 1660s. However, industrialization led to the town’s decline, and by 1994, the town became practically a ghost town.

The area was then protected by the Directorate for Cultural Heritage, and attempts to revitalize the whole town led to the birth of the hotel. Its buildings date back to its rich past, with the oldest being built in 1831.

7. Fossheim Hotel Lom (from USD 117)

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Fossheim Hotel Lom’s history dates back to 1897 when a 2-story log building was built to serve as a staging inn for travelers. As the influx of travelers increased, this original building was torn down, and a new one was constructed to accommodate more guests.

Sometime in 1950, the managers — the second generation of the family to take care of the property — also opened a physical rehabilitation facility and a grocery store there and packaged the establishment as a hotel and a health resort. Interestingly, the hotel became known for the food it serves, after it hired Arne Brimi as the head chef — and it continues to hold this reputation until today.

8. Dalen Hotel (from USD 255)

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Established in 1894, this 5-star hotel is nestled on the banks of the Telemark Canal and Lake Bandak. It is recognized as one of the best-preserved hotels, but there was actually a point in history when it fell into disrepair. During World War II, German troops took over the hotel, which led to the interiors being damaged.

It wasn’t until the 1980s that renewed efforts were made to rehabilitate the hotel to have the same ambiance that it had when it first opened. It officially began accepting guests again in 1992.

9. Hotel Bristol, Oslo (from USD 213)

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Hotel Bristol is considered an institution in its own right. The construction of this 5-star hotel began in 1918. Its dance hall, Den Mauriske Hall, opened its doors to the public in January 1920, while the hotel itself began accepting guests in June of the same year.

The hotel went through tough times, including being occupied by German soldiers in World War II and having its dance hall closed (it has since been converted into the entrance hall of the hotel). Nonetheless, it has managed to overcome these issues and continues to enjoy its reputation as one of the top luxury hotels in the city.

10. Solstrand Hotel & Bad, Osøyro (from USD 128)

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Featuring Swiss-inspired architecture, this hotel was built in 1896 by Christian Michelsen, the first Prime Minister of Independent Norway. The hotel has been and is operated by four generations of the Schau-Larsen family.

You can enjoy the majestic sight of Bjørnefjord right from the hotel. If you love outdoor adventures, you will be glad to know that this property is close to a number of hiking and cycling trails. After an active day out, you can treat yourself to a relaxing massage or body treatment at the spa, warm up in the sauna, or relax in the indoor/outdoor pool.

Get a taste of Norway's history

Norway may be best known for its natural sights, but its man-made attractions are also worth a visit, and the hotels on this list even give you a chance to spend a night or more in some of these. So, book one of the above listed historic hotels and see a different side of this Scandinavian country. For a more memorable experience, consider staying in one of the glass igloo hotels in Norway!