Utstein Kloster Hotell

After climbing Preikestolen, we stayed for one night. We had a tasty dinner and enjoyed a swim in the well-prepared area at the hotel. A Finnish worker was lovely to chat with, and gave us hiking tips. Thanks! The breakfast is highly recommendable.

The fish alone made this one of the best meals of my trip: crisp skin, tender flesh, cooked just right, and served with real care. Service was warm and relaxed despite a wedding taking place, and the staff came through for us when we were hungry and a bit desperate. We hadn’t planned to eat here, or even to be nearby. I was staying at Utstein Pilegrimsgard, where there’s no restaurant, so Utstein Kloster Hotel was the nearest option. They were in the middle of a wedding, with a busy kitchen and guests all around, but still found a way to serve two road-dusted motorcyclists like us. The hotel looked fantastic too. I’d have stayed there if I hadn’t already settled into the quiet charm of the Pilegrimsgard. Maybe then I’d have missed the lovely unplanned walk by the water that led us to that meal.

We had a lovely view and a delicious supper, and all the staff were very friendly. The hotel was one of the dirtiest I’ve been to, though.

The food at lunch was excellent, especially the fish, and the hospitality staff gave very good service. The hotel is beautiful and sits in a picturesque location. I gave the rooms five stars to be fair, but I didn’t stay overnight, so I can’t really rate them. The reception experience was bizarre. When we arrived, one staff member was sitting at the desk. Another joined, and they started talking while we waited. Neither acknowledged us. Once they finished, they looked at us and the other guests waiting, then walked away. We called after them for help, but they turned and kept going, leaving a group of confused guests behind. Nobody came back for ten minutes. Some people checking out had to leave their room keys on the desk and go. We eventually found hospitality staff who were willing to help. That reception desk service is why I scored service lower.