Villa Norangdal Hotel

The Villa Norangdal hotel is just a 10-minute drive from the nearest town in Norway’s western fjords region, but it feels far-removed from civilization. The historic hotel is surrounded by some of the country’s wildest scenery, which you can enjoy in improbable luxury. The hotel is also an excellent base for exploring the valley that stretches out beyond the front door.

Villa Norangdal’s storied history began in 1885, when it was built for tourists traveling through the area via carriages. Notable visitors in the hotel’s heyday were mountaineer William Cecil Slingsby and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. The hotel closed in 1965 and remained shuttered until 2007, when it re-opened after four years of extensive renovations.

Today’s boutique hotel respects the past while looking to the future. Each of the six rooms is resplendently decorated to match a specific decade: 1900, 1920, 1930, 1950, 1960 and 1970. Each room is more stunning than the last, with spot-on wallpaper, furniture, art and accessories that fully transport you the minute you step inside. Each room has a wide-angle view of the surrounding mountains.

Downstairs, you’ll be treated to an expertly prepared multicourse meal using local ingredients and paired with a well-curated wine list. Ask to have your dessert served by the fire in the hotel’s Slingsby Lounge, named for the venerable mountaineer and decorated with leather couches and a large bear pelt. You can almost smell his cigar smoke and hear him whispering tales of conquering the country’s challenging mountains as you sip coffee by the fire.

Save time to relax in the outdoor Jacuzzi, where you can ponder the mountains that surround you. The hotel makes for a perfect spot to take a breather on a long tour of the region, or as a launch point for hiking, skiing, guided mountain climbing and more.