Hattvika Lodge

There’s no TV, but I barely needed my iPad. The views and adventures kept me much more interested. I stayed in a beautifully designed hillside suite, with heated bathroom floors, warm wood in the bedroom, and dimmers on most of the lights that made it feel cozy in the colder months. Kristian, the owner, and the rest of the staff were so friendly, welcoming, and accommodating. Check-in was seamless, and the food and amenities were great. I had an amazing stay and will definitely return when the days are longer and the weather is warmer. Thanks, Hattvika team, for everything.

One thing to keep in mind is the check-in window, which is only 3-8pm. That wasn't mentioned in the listing when we booked through American Airlines. Also, book a table at FANGST. Dinner there was one of my favorite dining experiences ever. We stayed in a two-bedroom apartment at Hattvoka Lodge. The rooms felt modern while keeping their old character, with refinished wood floors and sea-themed decor. The bathrooms were spacious and whitewashed, with heated floors. Having a laundry room on site was a real help on our long trip through Norway. Everyone working there was friendly and helpful. Anna gave us a warm welcome and showed us around. I'd seen complaints about the views and smell, but staying in a fishing village, that's part of what you'd expect. The views were exactly what we wanted: water, the cod plant, and colorful boats.

The staff were genuinely kind and helpful, and Fangst was fantastic. I'd recommend booking a table there even if you're staying somewhere else. The lodge's luxury reputation, though, felt more like creative marketing than what we experienced. Our cozy, modern fishing cottage, or rorbu, had a kitchenette and coffee machine and looked out over the water. But it was right beside a construction site. At 8am, drilling and banging woke us, and the excavation was so loud the hut seemed to shake on its foundations. We hadn't been told about the work when booking, and would gladly have chosen another room type. We specifically chose a seaside suite for the bathtub after long, cold hikes. The hot water ran out after about a third of the tub was filled. The alternatives were a lukewarm bath or waiting an hour for enough hot water to shower. When we asked, we were told the supply allowed for “reasonable use.” In practice, that meant one person could have a modest bath while the other watched. There’s also an onsite sauna. A session costs $150 on top of a stay that was already $700USD a night. Through its huge window, we could see forklifts and workers at the cod oil plant across the water, which wasn't exactly picturesque. We wondered if the glass was one-way. If it wasn't, some bewildered Norwegian plant workers may still be recovering from seeing pale tourists sweating like dumplings.

We were there in September 2024 and loved cabin #7. It was modern and had all the comforts we needed. The restaurant food was amazing, and the staff were really helpful. Such a great stay.