Sola Strand Hotel

The room and spa did not live up to the luxury image or the price. The decor felt dated and unwelcoming, the bed was uncomfortable, and the room was small with a 1.40 - 1.60 bed. For comparison, it costs about as much as spa hotels like "the well", but isn't close to that standard. I also found black marks on the window that looked like mold, and the flimsy toilet seat was loose with a lid that came right off. When I reported those problems, we were first offered a room with two separate beds, apparently just to use the bathroom. We tried to settle in, ordered food and wanted to stream Netflix, but there was no connection. After calling the front desk, we finally got a new room, our third by then. Streaming still didn't work on that TV, so we ended up watching on our phone with a free minibar. Very romantic. Breakfast was a letdown too. Food was left out without cooling, the cheese was sweaty, and lots of things looked dried out. The gluten free bread was rock hard, as if it had already been out several times. The omelette, scrambled eggs and fried eggs were rubbery and tasteless, the potatoes overcooked, and hot food was cold while cold food was warm. There was a big selection, but the handling and quality didn't feel hygienic or appetising. The spa costs another 250 NOK on top of an already expensive room, which feels unfriendly to guests. I think it should be included or at least much cheaper for hotel guests. The area also needs upgrades: it was messy in the spa and changing room, with just one shower for the whole locker room, so there were unnecessary queues and stress. The water wasn't especially warm, and the thing called a "jacuzzi" wasn't actually a jacuzzi and didn't look inviting. The restaurant seemed overpriced as well. Sola Spa has a good reputation and is presented as a more luxurious place, but to me that felt like good branding and a nice exterior. Overall, the quality of the room, breakfast and spa fell well short of what I expected for the cost.

We only stayed for one night, and the sea view room had extremely comfortable bedding. The airport was about a five minute ride away. Front desk staff were kind and accommodating both in the morning and evening.

The location is the big draw: the Atlantic is just beyond the dunes, and a long, wide sandy beach is about a minute's walk away. You can rent all kinds of surf gear too. We thought the nearby airport might be a nuisance, but it never bothered us. Breakfast was plentiful, and the personal service was great. Astrid at the front desk deserves a promotion: she was professional and accommodating from my first call about booking right through checkout. The main waiter was also very helpful and service minded. The building feels like a shell of its former self. Maybe it was once one of the best resorts around, but time has caught up while the exclusive prices remain. I hope someone invests in bringing it back to its former glory. Travelling with pets often means less desirable rooms, and that was the case here: we had a small standard double overlooking the parking lot, not much to remember. The power sockets were awkwardly placed, with nowhere to plug in the kettle, and the dated bathroom had no socket at all, so there was no way to dry my hair by the mirror. There was only one bedside table. A broom would have been useful for the sand we brought in after a windy beach walk with the dog. Ventilation was poor enough that we had to keep the window open. There was a fridge and an iron and board, but no coffee maker. They provided a dog bed and trays, though no complimentary treats. We later learned Norwegian law doesn't allow pets where food is served, so pets can only be in the room or outside, which may not suit everyone. The restaurant food was average, and starters came out with the main courses, which could fool you. The dining hall acoustics were terrible, noisy enough to be uncomfortable even at half capacity, including at breakfast. The resort has a spa with one pool, several saunas and a relaxation area. I wouldn't really call it a spa, but NOK250 (resident price) gets you 24 hours of access, so you can stay after checkout if you plan it right. The dining and rooms aside, I think the place needs a complete renovation or prices cut in half. Maybe the best rooms are worth the money, but I honestly doubt it.

Breakfast was great, and the staff were friendly. The room was clean and quiet, though the hallway carpet looked a bit soiled. It's also close to the airport.