Hardanger Hostel B&B

The staff were friendly and helpful, with useful local tips, and the setting makes it easy to reach the Hardangerfjord, hiking trails, and Trolltunga. Hardanger Hostel B&B also has a lounge, shared kitchen, and garden, plus a simple complimentary breakfast with local and continental options from 7 to 9am. There are private and shared rooms for different budgets, though ours felt very small and somewhat uncomfortable. The place has a cozy, welcoming feel, and the service was excellent. It can get noisy from other guests and early departures, so bring earplugs and an eye cover. The rooms don’t block the sun well either, and in summer it stays light late. With the beautiful surroundings and outdoor activities nearby, it’s a semi-comfortable, affordable option.

The view, location, and staff were all wonderful. Stay here if you want to feel a sense of lived experience.

We used the shared kitchen to cook a simple dinner for the family, and breakfast was included from 7:30 to 9:30. It was fine, though not as good as at other hotels we stayed in Norway, and there was no smoked salmon. The front desk staff were friendly, and the price was relatively low, but you get what you pay for. We had two twin rooms for one night. The rooms were clean and quiet, the basic facilities worked, and the hot shower came with towels. The surroundings are beautiful, with several nice hiking trails nearby. Parking and WiFi were free, but both had issues. There were very few parking spots, and we couldn’t find one at check-in. Several other guests had the same problem and parked far from their rooms. WiFi was slow, and the AC didn’t cool the room, which was very warm when we arrived in the afternoon, so we had to open a window. You also have to make your own bed. The thin curtains don’t block the sun, a big drawback in summer with the very late sunset. They accepted Discover Card.

The hostel has a good location and views, but the service was a horrible experience. We arrived at 20:00 and asked whether we could bake pizzas in the oven. Nobody mentioned any restrictions. Then, after 22:30, a woman from the place came into the kitchen while we were eating and said cooking wasn’t allowed after 22:00 because it was a hostel rule. That rule wasn’t posted anywhere, not on their website, Booking.com, or in the kitchen. When we asked the boss where the rule was written, he hung up on us. That’s no way to treat guests, and I wouldn’t recommend the place.