Hurdalsjøen Hotell & Spa

The hotel restaurant was close to a disaster. The food was badly prepared and overpriced, and even the fries were inedible. There aren't many other places to eat nearby, though the restaurant staff were nice. Breakfast was quite good. We picked the hotel through hotels.com because it was described as family friendly and had a pool, which our boys love. We only learned on arrival that pool access costs extra and children can use it only until 2pm. Check-in wasn't until 3pm, and on our one-night stay we had to leave before the pool opened. hotels.com didn't mention those restrictions. They should just say kids aren't really welcome in the pool. The location itself is nice, and the rooms were okay, if oddly decorated and pretty noisy. All in all, it wasn't a great experience.

The simple burger I ordered was a highlight, especially because the ingredients tasted so much fresher than what I'm used to in Europe. The staff were lovely and made me feel welcome from the moment I arrived. At Hurdalsjøen Hotell & Spa, I also enjoyed the modern, artsy feel, the activities, and the peaceful setting among the fjords and beautiful nature. My simply designed room had a view of the landscape. I spent time in the lounge, pool, and canoe, and explored nearby hiking trails. It was an extraordinary stay, the best hotel I've ever been to, and I hope to visit again.

Getting to the airport took some planning. A cab brought me from Oslo airport to the hotel, but I couldn't book one for the return trip. I took a bus and train instead, which was pleasant and much cheaper than the cab. The hotel has lovely grounds by the lake, a great restaurant, and a good spa with a pool and sauna. My double room was a decent size. There was occasional loud noise, like water pipes, which could be a bit inconvenient at night. The receptionists and waiters were very friendly.

The spa treatments and massage left both my partner and me very satisfied. Nina was friendly and accommodating, and the service throughout our three-night stay was top quality. We had a fantastic time at Hurdalsjøen hotel, with delicious food and beautiful views of the lake and hills. Highly recommended!