The sky is the limit – new, spectacular cabins have opened in Fjord Norway

Their names are The Bolder, Woodnest and Flokehyttene. Besides their extraordinary locations that are perfect for social distancing or an escape from everyday life, they all have in common panoramic views over a vast landscape. They are also the latest additions to the ever expanding selection of stunning places to stay in Fjord Norway.

The Bolder in Ryfylke
The Bolder Skylodges are located on a cliff overlooking the famous Lysefjord, not far from the iconic Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). Sustainability and a small carbon footprint have been important for the design and planning of the cabins. They barely touch the ground as they are resting on single columns drilled 10 feet into the solid bedrock. This leaves guests with a feeling of floating above the landscape and the Lysefjord. The project is a collaboration of different local architects, designers, photographers and artists that wanted to create something that serves the growing desire for slow travel and the wish for individual space. Guests will find a perfect place for escape in Sky Lodges that consist of two double bedrooms, a designer kitchen, a fully equipped bathroom and a dining room with an endless view over the fjord landscape. In addition to the two Sky Lodges that are already in service there will be four more expected to be ready in 2021. They are designed by renowned architecture company Snøhetta, who has been responsible for example for the Oslo Opera and Alexandria Library. In the last phase it is planned to build a pavilion, also designed by Snøhetta, that shall be finished in 2022/23.

Woodnest in Hardanger
Located in the Norwegian woods in the small town Odda, overlooking the Hardangerfjord, there can now be found the two new spectacular and luxurious Woodnest treehouses. Guests staying here will be able to wake up to stunning panoramic views of the fjord landscape and snow capped mountains as well as enjoy breathtaking sunsets. Designed by Norwegian architects Helen & Hard each treehouse has been engineered so that the tree can carry the full weight of the treehouse with little support from foreign structures. The tree lives inside the whole structure in the middle of the treehouse. The interior is fashioned using finest black alder wood and the exterior blends into its natural surroundings resembling the Norwegian „kongla“ (pine cone). Inside, guests will find handcrafted chairs designed by Norwegian designers who have used locally sourced products. Each luxury treehouse has a capacity for four people and is equipped with electricity, a small kitchenette, wifi, a flushing toilet and shower as well as floor heating for cosy nights during winter time.

Flokehyttene in Haugesund
Situated on the far end of the headland in Sveio, a 30 minute drive from Haugesund, where endless sky meets the majestic sea, you can find the Ryvarden lighthouse. It was from here that Floke Vilgerdsson, or Ravnafloke, in the year 868 sailed out as the first man to settle on an unnamed island which he named Iceland. More than a thousand years later, the five new Flokehyttene stand ready in the sea gap in Sveio. They were designed by Holon Arkitektur for Haugesund Turistforening, a local branch of the Norwegian Trekking Association. One of the major aspects for the project was that the cabins should not leave a permanent trace in the landscape. Therefore there were no holes drilled in the ground, there was no digging or levelling. The end result are five spectacular cabins with panoramic views over the North Sea. Their triangular shape and flat cut is carefully planned to withstand the harsh climate with its strong winds that sometimes ravages the Western Norwegian coast. Four of the cabins house up to five people. They are all equipped with a kitchen, living room and a toilet. The largest cabin offers accommodation for up to ten people and is also wheelchair accessible. The heart of each cabin is a fireplace that allows guests to keep warm and cosy inside while watching the waves crashing against the cabin walls outside.