Solstrand Hotel & Bad

Time seems to melt away at Solstrand, where days can be as filled or as empty as guests please. With magnificent views of Bjørnafjorden and exquisite spa experiences, Solstrand Hotel & Bad has been a welcome retreat for the adventurous since 1896. Home to 134 spacious rooms overlooking the gardens and fjord, artistic interiors provide the perfect backdrop to west coast hiking and Scandinavian spa traditions.

Just 30km south of Bergen, Solstrand Hotel & Bad has been a favourite amongst locals and beyond for over 125 years. Built by Christian Michelsen, Norway’s first prime minister, the Schau-Larsen took over management in 1929, and have been at the helm ever since.

Perched on the shores of Bjørnafjorden, exquisitely designed rooms match the grandeur of the exterior. Overlooking the 120-acre private gardens, a restorative sense of peace settles those looking to escape the daily grind. Stone, wool and wood have been carefully curated and assembled to form intricately detailed rooms. Modern design with a flicker of tradition offers a nod to the hotel's rich history.

The magnum opus of this fjord-side sanctuary is its elegantly rejuvenating spa facilities. Enshrining Scandinavian spa traditions since 1896, the heated outdoor pool opens out to the fjord and into the snow-capped peaks of the Kvinnherad Alps. Kayaks and rowing boats handcrafted by local makers are free to use at guests' leisure to explore the stunning coastline.

Marvellously scenic spectacles are met with equally refreshing dips in the cold plunge pool, and for those brave enough for a jaunt across the smooth pebble beach into the fjord, the warming sauna rewards and soothes invigorated spirits.