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Kviknes Hotel

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  • Postboks 24
     Balestrand, Norway
    +47 5769-4200 Website
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Drever
Drever
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
Reviews
8
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Editor Pick

Magic Hotel

  • October 22, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by LenR from Townsville, Australia
Magic Hotel

Kvilne’s Hotel has been appealing for generations to those who appreciate quality, tradition and atmosphere. The fairytale castle by the fjord started in 1752 with Holmen grocer’s shop. Brothers Ole and Knut bought the general store and guest house with accommodation for 4 in 1877 and four generations of the family have transformed it into the largest fjord hotel in Norway.

The majestic wooden building is idyllically situated beside the Sognefjord and it radiates a very special atmosphere. The extensive public rooms are filled with original art works and antique furniture. The impressive Hoyvik Room has a unique collection of furniture in the ‘dragon-style’ by a local furniture maker. This room also has the chair in which Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany was sitting when he received the news that the First World War had broken out.

We arrived at a very busy time while a wedding was being held in the hotel. Despite this, reception was welcoming and the procedure was simple. The hotel built a new concrete high-rise building in 1973 completely out of character with the hotel and we initially disappointed to find our room was here rather than the old building. This disappointment was put aside, however, when we reached our 5th-floor room and saw the view. While it wasn’t the classic fjord view there was a lovely panorama over the town and along the shoreline.

The room itself was nothing special – just like a thousand other 4-star hotel rooms around the world. Facilities were adequate and everything worked but there was no special atmosphere. This changed completely when we explored the gardens, went out on the small jetty in front of the hotel then went into the dining room for dinner.

The Kviknes Hotel has a renowned buffet each night and we took to it with relish. Buffets are not my favourite style of meal but this was outstanding. The selection was extensive and the quality excellent. There was simply too much to try everything so we were extremely grateful to a Norwegian guest who indicated that there were several things not to miss. Taking his advice we gorged on salmon, pate, roast beef, a selection of vegetables, local cheese and a mix of desserts. We washed it down with a beer and a cocktail. I couldn’t cope with the more than 300 different wines on offer. We ate far too much then retired to one of the lounge rooms for coffee and nibbles. All in all it was a very memorable meal.

The hotel has long been a favourite for royal families from Norway and abroad and in more recent times, Eric Clapton, Yoko Ono, Kofi Annan and celebrity chef Keith Floyd have all visited. Our experience was that you didn’t need to be in the celebrity category to be treated like an honoured guest. We received that treatment from almost all we had contact with here. That is a rare experience and one I would love to repeat.

From journal Norway’s majestic Sognefjord

Editor Pick

Kvikne's Hotel

  • September 17, 2007
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Drever from Ayr
Kvikne's Hotel

If you wish to stay in a hotel that listed in ‘1000 places to see before you die’ then here is one. Unfortunately the reviews from people staying here are mostly poor. On reaching our room I also formed a poor impression. The bathroom had a toilet propped up on a six-inch block to allow the passage of the outlet pipe. The paper was peeling off the bathroom wall and signs of black mould showed. The room was also level with the car park just outside so anyone in it could see straight in if our light was on. This room was, however, of a good size with a settee.

We quickly sought a room change. We got it next day when conference people who had asked for an extension of a day left. Our new room was on the fourth floor and in a different world. Although we hadn’t paid for a view we were looking straight out on to the fjord. It was picture-perfect with a looming mountain with glittering water in front - a view that artists have been coming to paint for 200 years. The fjord changed colours and moods as the light changed. The room was smaller but clean and without any of the failings of the last one. It was a basic room without any extras like a settee, or tea and coffee making facilities – what we had paid for in fact!

The original hotel dating from 1752 has the traditional "Swiss" architectural style. This part is atmospheric and historical. Unfortunately the modern extension containing our room is a concrete monstrosity like a multi-storey car park.

With its 190 rooms, it is now one of the largest tourist hotels in Norway. Over the years, the list of prominent hotel guests in the old hotel have included Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany and emperors, kings, presidents, prime ministers, film stars and artists from many countries. An impressive collection of art and historical pieces is a central feature of the old hotel's interior, and contributes to its unique character.

We had dinner each night in the hotel, it being part of the package deal. Served in the old part of the hotel, it was a four-course buffet and the range of food was breathtaking with fish featuring prominently. Reindeer was the main meat course on two occasions. The food was always perfectly cooked and the wine was expensive.

The bed was comfortable and we slept well. The breakfast, also served in the old part of the hotel, was most expansive with a wide choice and set us up for another day.

Facilities: sauna, Jacuzzi and games room, wood-panelled lounges, reading rooms, antiques and art collection, bar, scenic terrace and fjordside garden, lifts in new wing only. In addition: free use of rowing boat and fishing gear, good bathing facilities for hotel residents.

We had a marvellous stay at this hotel once we sorted out our room problems.

From journal Wonderful Western Norway

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