Name: Walaker Hotel
Address: Solvorn vegen 324, Luster, Luster, Luster, 6879, Norway
Rating: 10

Shopping on site

Smoke-free property

Heating

Newspapers

Ticket assistance

Garden

Terrace

Private check-in/check-out

Outdoor furniture

No elevators

Reception desk

General

Bridal suite

Non-smoking rooms

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Ironing

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Safe-deposit box

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Coffee/tea for guests

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Free Wi-Fi

Internet

English

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Tourist services

Library

Hiking

Picnic area

Fishing

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Free parking

Parking

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Fax and copy machine

Business

Cycling

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Personal protection equipment for staff

Extra decontamination measures

Personal protection equipment for guests

Contactless check-in and/or check-out

Additional measures against COVID-19

Health and Safety Measures

Location

At the hotel

Sogndal Airport

Walaker Hotel

Luster

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lake-view

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annex

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not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

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pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

Walaker Hotel was even better than we hoped for. I was at Walaker with our business partners for a 1 night stay. We had a wonderful afternoon with a realy good dinner in the evening with excellent wine pairing. Breakfast was of the same quality as the dinner and the service of the personnel at Walaker can only be described as top notch. At my first opportunity I will return for a longer stay with my wife and friends for a relaxed weekend.

Beautiful experience

I added The Walaker to my bucket list after reading about it in Tablet Hotels Magazine in April 2023. What drew me in was not just the stunning scenery and the unassuming appearance of the hotel but also the "slow traveller" philosophy championed by the owner, Ole Henrik. When my family and I travel, we prefer to savour each locale without the rush to "see it all."

Fortunately, The Walaker is ideally situated for exploring Western Norway. We never ventured more than 90 minutes by car in any direction, yet each day offered a new and captivating experience. Norway's majestic, rugged, and idyllic beauty left us in awe.

We spent five unforgettable nights at The Walaker in late September, just before its seasonal closing on October 1st. It exceeded our expectations, mainly due to the exceptional team led by restaurant manager Cristian (though his official title doesn't do justice to his role at the hotel). We formed genuine connections with the staff, something we'd never experienced elsewhere. My birthday celebration was made even more special by their warmth and generosity.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the entire team, including restaurant managers Cristian and Ellinor, Ewelina (a fantastic activities resource), Iliene, Martyna, and Kiki. They graciously engaged in lengthy conversations, never making us feel like a bother. On our departure day, Cristian, Ewelina, and Iliene came to bid us farewell even though it was their day off! They chatted with us over breakfast, took photos, and stayed until we pulled away from the lot. Such care is exceedingly rare and truly valuable, and I hope Ole Henrik appreciates how fortunate his family is to have such dedicated individuals at The Walaker.

Now, let's delve into our itinerary, some tips, and why The Walaker is ideal for the "slow traveller" mentality it promotes.

**Travel Details:**
We flew from London to Oslo, spent a night there, and then took a small propeller plane to Sogndal Airport the following day. Upon landing, we rented a Hertz Corolla hybrid wagon (pre-booked with a GPS - be sure to get an express number from Hertz). Renting a car is highly recommended.

**En Route to the Hotel:**
En route to The Walaker, we didn't waste time. We stopped at the Kaupanger Stave Church (on the way), followed by a quick bite in the Sogndal city centre at Pizzabakken, where I was pleasantly surprised to find a delicious GF/Vegan cheese pizza.

**The Hotel:**
Our next stop was The Walaker Hotell in Solvorn, which is only a 30–40-minute drive from the airport (15 minutes from Sogndal city centre). The hotel's location at the base of the Sognefjord is nothing short of magical. Solvorn, often considered a typical beach town, mainly thrives during the summer season, with the beach in front of the hotel being a popular spot and nestled on Lustrafjorden, the innermost part of the Sognefjorden.

As you may know, The Walaker is Norway's oldest family-run hotel. Therefore, it's no surprise that the hotel is finely tuned for an exceptional guest experience.

We opted for the main building despite being pricier than the annexed 1960s building. We were delighted with our choice, as it exuded a cosy "koselig" Norwegian charm, feeling more like a home than a hotel. The crackling fire was a daily pleasure, its scent wafting into our room in the early morning. As my husband frequented the Salon for work in the mornings, they always ensured the fire was lit and candles were glowing, even in sunshine. Cristian's motto, "Let's make it cosy! It could always be cosier!" resonated with us. Additionally, we were allowed to add logs to the fire ourselves, a thoughtful touch.

Cleanliness was top-notch, and as a discerning interior designer, I was thoroughly impressed with how well-maintained the hotel and rooms were. When I enter hotels, my husband often asks what I would change, but in this instance, I have no complaints. Well, perhaps some practical suggestions, like adding dressers in the bedrooms and reducing the number of extra chairs or settees which, although lovely, seem a little excessive. For example, my mother's room had three armchairs, and one occupied a prime corner where a tall boy dresser could easily fit. Alternatively, they could consider wider and larger nightstands to accommodate folded clothes. If the Walaker ever plans sustainable updates, feel free to contact me; I'm your go-to gal! I mention this because although the main house rooms may not be as well-equipped for extended stays as the annexed rooms, we managed just fine, were relaxed, and were glad we stayed in the main building. However, I could see it bothering some, so it’s just something to note when choosing a room for a duration if you like to unpack fully. 

As for the rest, the interior spaces exuded a charming and quirky, collected-over-time quality precisely to my taste as an interior designer. Oh! They also have cards and backgammon. 

**Dining:**
The hotel serves breakfast and dinner; there's no lunch or tea service. If you're planning an extended stay like us, I recommend including meals in your rate. After a long day of activities, we preferred to relax and decompress rather than go out again. Given Norway's generally exorbitant food prices, saving up is advisable. Fortunately, The Walaker's service, food, and drink offered some respite from the cost. Cristian went above and beyond to make our dining experiences extraordinary, paying attention to our preferences and surprising us with special touches. And the chefs seamlessly catered to my coeliac and dairy allergy needs, which I was extremely grateful for. 

Breakfast included a delightful Smörgåsbord (buffet) from 8-10 am and various cooked egg options. They were also willing to prepare a packed lunch for our day trips or charge us half price if we preferred to assemble it ourselves. This time of year, especially on Sundays when shops close early, having some apples from the garden as snacks for your outings is an intelligent idea.

Most afternoons, we returned between 4-6 p.m. and enjoyed tea in front of the fire in the Salon. However, no biscuits or snacks were available, so if you desire snacks, consider stopping by a shop in Sogndal or the Shell station outside Hafslo.

Dinner was promptly served at 7:30 p.m., consisting of four courses (not including a delectable bread platter), with a wine pairing option available. We tried it the first night and found it fantastic. On subsequent evenings, we ordered a recommended bottle from Cristian or Ellinor. The portions were generous, and both chefs' soups were exceptional.

**Location:**
Oddly, we were the only guests who stayed for an extended duration; as we were told, most guests typically stay for only one or two nights. We experienced some arriving during dinner and departing early in the morning and were surprised by this, as Solvorn offers a wealth of activities. 

The location is also convenient for taking the hourly ferry to Ornes to see the Unesco Site - Urnes Stave Church (you can take your car on the ferry) and then driving The Romantic Road back to Walaker. I highly recommend doing the ½ hour tour for the church; our guide was dryly hilarious. Also, if climbing is an issue, take your car because the incline up to the church is very steep. 

We also explored the Jostedal glacier from three vantage points on three separate days: Nigardsbreen (where a short boat ride leads to an easier walking path to the foot/mouth of the glacier – it’s so dramatic – you must go), Boeyabreen (offering the most straightforward and most enjoyable path/walk with plenty of benches for resting) and little known public parking in Jostedal near the Jostedalbreen National Park in Gjerde (go left of Jostedal Hotell on the FV335 until you hit the small parking lot). 

One day, we tried the Molden hike, but it was too much for my mom. Instead, we drove up the hill from the Parking Krossen to Mollandsmarki (which you can also get to from a hiking path from the hotel), and it was stunning!!

Overall – The Walaker has been an extremely special experience in a unique hotel and location. Enjoy and make time to get to know the area and the hotel employees! Both are wonderful.  


Now our most favourite hotel and trip we've taken so far

I spent 3 days at the Walaker in early September 2023.  What a fantastic hotel this is.  The old buildings and the grounds are beautiful, plus you have gorgeous views on all sides.  The staff is attentive, friendly, and committed to making sure guests are comfortable.  The food is of an extremely high quality and should not be missed.  This is a wonderful property, like nowhere else.

Memorable and lovely hotel

We were driving south from Kristiansud back Bergen via the beautifull route 55 and looked for a hotel mid way.  
The Walaker hotel cought my attention and we booked a superior room in their new (1964) buiding.
The hotel is the oldest hotel in Norway, the building is meticulously maintained.  
The staff was very friendly.
The room was large, very comfortable bed, the shower was very good.
We had dinner at the hotel, it is a 4 course fixed menu and we opoted for wine pairing as well.  My wife hs some diatery restrition an the cheff accommodated for her needs.  The meal,  the wines and the setting were superb.
Breakfast ws also very good.
If in the area, do not miss this perfect hotel 

Simply WOOW, Excellent!

The two nights we spent here were exceptional. The location is perfect for enjoying this gorgeous part of the country. I highly recommend the four course dinner with wine pairings. Such an incredible selection!
I was traveling with my adult daughter, who happens to be Vegan. I had made this known to the staff when booking our stay and we were blown away by the phenomenal dinner that was created just for her. The chef and staff went out of their way to design a Michelin-worthy, vegan experience for her. I look forward to returning!

Spectacular

Our stay at the Walaker was magical. Cristian, Eirik, Zaida and the rest of the staff made our time comfortable, fun and adventurous. The food is absolutely exquisite, the views are stunning, and there is plenty to do like bike, hike, kayak or just relax. We will miss this place and plan to return, it is a part of our soul now.

MUST do!

This is clearly our first choice. The price is clearly high, but the hotel does deliver at this level: the rooms are nice, the setting (on the beach), the garden, the family tradition (nine generations owned by the same family), the restaurant. This can not be overdone!

The first choice

The Walaker Hotel is absolutely beautiful and a unique experience. Historic rooms with exceptional attention to detail,  that are absolutely spotless. Owned by one family for 9 generations, the current owner offers a tour and explanation of his family’s dream at 10:15 pm each night, during which he speaks with obvious love and pride at his family’s legacy. The 4 course prix fixe meal is exceptional. The town of Solvorn has great hiking and is Historic, charming and friendly. 5 stars all the way!

Charming with exceptional service

This is such an amazing place. We stayed in the historical room and absolutely loved it. Views and attention to detail are amazing and the staff do attentive. Food was of such quality too. Loved everything ! So serene and relaxing. 
Not the place if you want TV and coffee machines etc though. 

So tranquil and relaxing. Loved it ! 

We were 13 friends staying at Walaker Hotell for four nights, using it as a base for ski mountaineering trips in the Sogn area. On arrival, we were welcomed by a very friendly member of the staff, and we very alltogether extremely pleased with the service we got from all of the staff during our stay at the hotel.

Our superior rooms located in the annex were spacious, clean and well-working but not spectacular in any way - I guess the other more historical rooms that the hotel can provide  will be more interesting if that's important for you (for us, that was not very important and we got exactly what we needed in the annex).

The food, the wine and the service in the restaurant and by the fireplace was perfect and could not have been better. All of our wishes were handled optimally and with a smile by the staff. Our red wine glasses were filled very generously two times during  our first dinner (when most of us had ordered the wine menu) and we were a bit surprised to see the extra charge by glass for that on our bill at check out (so a small minus there - several of us didn't even finish the red wine because we had enough).

Our check-out was also a bit problematic but can partly be excused because we were the first guests for the season.

We can highly recommend Walaker Hotell if you want a spectacular hotel experience by the fjord in the Sogn area.

Walaker Hotel

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