Brekke Gard Hostel

The sheets were lovely and clean, and the doona was fluffy. I really enjoyed the farm atmosphere and thought it was very good value. Maybe the less happy reviews came during peak season, but I was glad to trade the city for more of this 😀

The setting was a highlight, with the farm, waterfalls, and countryside close to the center. I also met interesting, lovely people from England, Switzerland, America, and Australia, and we talked into the evening and again in the morning. I didn’t feel at ease leaving my bags, though. There are no lockers, and luggage left at reception is your responsibility. The houses and dorms are open around the clock, so bags are left on trust. Arrivals are self-service, and when I tried to contact staff, I got no reply. When I raised a concern, they raised their voices and yelled instead of listening. One guest collapsed with a medical problem, and staff didn’t seem to care. The kitchen could also use basic shared condiments like butter, jam, and spreads. Travelers can’t always carry those things around, so it would be helpful to have them available for self-service.

The farm and location were lovely, the beds were clean and comfortable, and the driver who took us both ways was kind and reliable. But for a considerable, normal-hotel price, I expected a much better experience. We thought we’d booked a quaint farmhouse, since there were no current photos or clear explanation of how it differed from the apartments. Instead, our very new room smelled strongly of paint, and the whole area was a construction site. I understand they’re preparing for the busy season, but clearer communication would have helped. The welcome message mentioned booking dinner and breakfast. When I asked about meals and transport, they only confirmed transport, and we found out on site that meals weren’t available. There wasn’t even coffee or tea. We were also expected to strip the beds, or risk a 40 USD fee, and that rule wasn’t clearly posted in every apartment. It felt ridiculous. They seem so focused on getting ready for summer that the current guests’ experience is suffering.

We slept really well in the big red house, with a waterfall out front and highland cows in the next field. No bad smell, either. The beds and bedding were super comfortable. We were a pair and booked two beds in a shared room. The beds were made up when we got there. A few rooms shared one clean bathroom, with hot water, and people were considerate. The kitchen had plenty of pans, dishes, salt, and oil. There were two induction cooktop sets, though only one worked during our stay, and that was fine. We had a car, so didn’t need to walk into town. EV chargers were about a five-minute walk away.