Landscape Hotels of Norway: Raw Nature, Refined Design
Norway’s landscape is a study in contrast and scale, where deep glacial fjords stretch into the Atlantic, rugged mountains rise like monuments, and Arctic light shapes the rhythm of the day. It is a country where nature remains untamed yet remarkably accessible. To travel here is to be immersed in an environment that feels both immense and intimate, sculpted by time and weather into something elemental.
Here, the fjord becomes the room, the mountain becomes the corridor, and the forest becomes the garden. Norway’s scenic routes weave through coastal cliffs, pine forests, and high mountain passes, inviting travelers to slow down and see the country as a living landscape. Whether kayaking through mirror-still waters or hiking through misty valleys, visitors are never far from the raw pulse of the wild.
Landscape hotels in Norway amplify that connection. Built with restraint, they merge modern design with the textures of wood, stone, and light. These retreats are not superimposed on the environment but carefully placed within it. Each is a reflection of its setting, inviting travelers to experience the wilderness as an essential part of the stay.
“Scandinavian design. Panoramic glass windows. The magic of fresh mountain water. Feeling alive. ”
Photo by Woodnest and Sindre Ellingsen
Woodnest
On the forested slopes above the Hardangerfjord near Odda, Woodnest invites guests to sleep among the treetops. Designed by Helen & Hard Architects, these sculptural treehouses are anchored to living pine trees and accessed by timber bridges that wind through the forest. Each compact retreat is a work of craftsmanship, combining natural wood, soft light, and panoramic glass walls that open to sweeping views of the fjord below. Every detail, from the timber bathtub to the textured shingles, deepens the connection to nature. Guests wake to birdsong, watch clouds drift across the mountains, and fall asleep to the quiet creak of wood in the wind. Woodnest is an intimate experience of the forest’s rhythm.
Photo by Juvet Landscape Hotel, Andreas Andersson
Photo by Juvet Landscape Hotel, ©PES
Photo by Juvet Landscape Hotel, ©MG
Juvet Landscape Hotel
Tucked in the wild gorge of Gudbrandsjuvet near Valldal, Juvet Landscape Hotel sits along the rushing Valldøla River in western Norway. The surrounding terrain of birch forest, river rapids, and mountain cliffs creates a scene that feels both cinematic and deeply peaceful. Designed by Jensen & Skodvin Architects, the glass-walled cabins are scattered through the forest and perched above the riverbank, each positioned for complete privacy and a singular view. The interiors are minimalist and serene, designed to let the landscape take center stage. Here, mornings begin with mist over the river and evenings end with the sound of water echoing through the valley. Staying at Juvet feels like living within the landscape rather than looking at it.
Photo by Pierrre Wikberg
Photo by Jesse Beaman
Photo by Pierrre Wikberg
The Arctic Hideaway
Far north on the tiny island of Fleinvær, The Arctic Hideaway offers a retreat into stillness. Founded by composer Håvard Lund and designed by TYIN Tegnestue and Rintala Eggertsson Architects, this cluster of small wooden structures forms a minimalist village dedicated to reflection and creativity. Each cabin, resting on steel legs, preserves the fragile terrain beneath it. There are no cars, no shops, and no distractions—only sea, sky, and weather. Guests can write in the studio, bathe in the wood-fired sauna, or simply watch eider ducks and otters along the rocky shore. The design is quiet but intentional, creating space for thought and connection in one of the world’s most remote island settings.
Photo by Manshaussen + Steve King
Manshausen
Located on a private island in the Steigen archipelago above the Arctic Circle, Manshausen is both a design destination and a wilderness retreat. Created by polar explorer Børge Ousland and architect Snorre Stinessen, the sea cabins appear to hover above the water, their glass façades framing infinite views of sea and sky. Built from cross-laminated timber and aluminum cladding, the structures are as resilient as they are beautiful. Guests spend their days kayaking through fjords, diving into Arctic waters, or simply watching storms sweep across the horizon. In summer, the midnight sun illuminates every surface; in winter, snow muffles sound and time slows. Manshausen is a place of pure elements—wind, water, light, and silence.
Photo by Vipp Bolder Lodge, E Heier, Elin Engelsvoll
Photo by Vipp Bolder Lodge, E Heier, Elin Engelsvoll
Photo by Vipp Bolder Lodge, E Heier, Elin Engelsvoll
The Bolder
Perched high above the Lysefjord near Preikestolen, The Bolder offers one of Norway’s most spectacular stays. The SkyLodges, designed by Snøhetta with interiors by Vipp, are suspended on slender columns above the cliffs, appearing to float in the air. Built from timber and glass, the lodges frame panoramic views of fjord and mountain while maintaining an incredibly light footprint on the land. Inside, minimalist interiors focus on comfort, craftsmanship, and calm. Guests spend their days hiking through fjord trails, exploring waterfalls, or simply sitting still as light shifts across the water. The Bolder captures the Norwegian philosophy of friluftsliv—living freely and fully in nature.
Photo by Sorrisniva
Photo by Sorrisniva
Sorrisniva
Sorrisniva sits along the frozen Alta River in Norway’s far north, a winter sanctuary carved entirely from ice and snow. The hotel, rebuilt annually by local artisans, offers guests a crystalline experience unlike any other, with ice suites, an ice chapel, and sculptural ice furnishings that glow under ambient lighting. Beyond its extraordinary design, the surrounding Finnmark landscape is raw and expansive: Arctic tundra stretches to the horizon, northern lights dance overhead, and snow-laden birch forests frame the icy riverbanks. Guests can venture into the wilderness on snowmobiles, dog sleds, or cross-country skis, then return to soak in the outdoor hot tubs or enjoy locally inspired cuisine at the ice restaurant. Staying at Sorrisniva is a deeply sensory experience, combining immersive design, Arctic adventure, and a profound connection to Norway’s extreme northern landscape.
Room + Wild is the leading content platform for landscape-enhanced architecture, ecotourism, nature-based destinations, and sustainable travel experiences. We work with extraordinary retreats all over the world to inspire, influence, and spread awareness of landscape architecture, environmental initiatives, and earth mindfulness.