Hellesylt Vandrerhjem

The kitchen had everything we needed to heat up and prepare food, and the views were incredible. We did run into some issues, but we appreciated that you responded and tried to help. Hopefully things get better. We’d be glad to return in the future.

The kitchen is huge and fully equipped, with a great fjord view while you cook or eat. The owner also rents out kayaks and offers fjord trips by fast motorboat. I rented a kayak for the full day for only 35 eur. Parking right beside the house was easy, and hiking trails into the surrounding mountains start just 500m away. We stayed six nights and loved it. For such a small price in this unique area, this hostel is fabulous.

The host was friendly, but the cleanliness was awful. The rooms were filthy, with dirt everywhere, and the kitchens were unclean too. I booked two days but left early because I couldn't stand staying there. I saw only three other guests that day. It felt like a junkyard, and it was the dirtiest place I've ever encountered in a Scandinavian country.

Some rooms have great fjord views, and the location itself is really good. The bed linen was clean and good quality, but the beds and mattresses were just as poor as the rest. Everything is very old, and there’s no internet in the room. After one night, I can say confidently that it’s better to change your travel plans and not stay here. It felt life-threatening, with photos attached of a working boiler in the toilet. It was built as temporary housing for workers, but they still use it even though it doesn’t meet basic rules for hotels and hostels. There’s no choice of where to stay in this village.