Ryfylke Hostel Vaulali

We felt at home here. The staff and other guests were helpful, and we watched Euro matches together. There’s free coffee and tea, plus a kitchen, barbecue, games room, and a sofa lounge with a lovely view. The place is clean and the scenery is beautiful. I’d really like to come back.

Good value. We spent the whole day kayaking and using the paddleboards, then grilled outside. Really good hostel, with friendly volunteers around.

Spoons at reception knows a lot about the area and was so helpful. Nothing seemed like too much trouble, and you can tell he enjoys the job. The hostel is spotless and well equipped, with a kitchen that has what you need, laundry, a movie room with a big screen, three pianos, hiking trails, and games. Bed linen is included in the price, which you don’t find everywhere in Norway, and breakfast was really good. It’s also very close to the start of the Pulpit Rock hike. Great value for money.

We had a nice view from both rooms, and they were roomy enough for our groups of two and three. Each had a big bathroom with a shower. Just keep in mind it’s a hostel: no TV or hair dryer in the rooms. Breakfast is simple, and you can cook in the kitchen, which has a large shared fridge. The lake is right by the building, about 15 m away for a swim. Outside there’s a playground, football pitch, and sandy volleyball court. There are three pianos, though the one in the dining room has some notes that don’t work properly, while the upstairs one is great. The separate building has a ping pong table and other indoor activities, and kayaks can be rented too. The staff were young and international, and spoke good English. We met Spanish and Polish staff; my wife had a massage from the Polish lady and said it was very good. Tau is the nearest town, with three restaurants or pizzerias. To visit Stavanger, you can drive to Tau, leave the car in the free parking, and take the 40-minute ferry to the old town.