Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to Svinoya Rorbuer, Lofoten Islands, Norway
Facts in brief
Official star rating 3
Location On a small island reached by road bridge from Svolvaer
Annual opening All year
Closest airport Svolvaer
Distance from airport About 10 minutes by car
Closest railway station Narvik
Distance from railway station About 3 hrs 15 mins by car
Hotel facilities and services
Restaurant, art gallery, excursions arranged
Out and about nearby
There is a wide scope of places to visit and activities to undertake, both on the water and on land. Places of interest include the Lofoten Aquarium, the Lofotr Vikingmuseum, farm visits and visits to meet the locals. You can experience the Midnight Sun in summer and undertake many activities such as climbing, hiking, sailing, kayaking, sea safaris to visit Trollfjord and watch for sea eagles, fishing trips. There are scenic routes around the Lofoten Island affording ample photo opportunities and the chance to see striking artwork set amongst the natural landscape and near the viewing points. There are several art galleries on the Lofoten Islands displaying not only paintings and prints, but also glasswork and Lofoten woollen goods.
Sports nearby
Sea-fishing, hiking, climbing, sea kayaking, golf, surfing, horse-riding, snowshoe walks.
It was an excellent holiday - due to excellent planning on your side. Super efficient, very professional.Mrs F, Holiday to Norway, Oct 2023
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Rorbu cabin S for 5 nights
From about
£1,220 1 Jan-31 May, 1 Sep-26 Dec
£1,420 1 Jun-31 Aug, 27 Dec-31 Dec
Holiday Code EXH46349
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to Svinoya Rorbuer, Lofoten Islands, Norway
Located on a small island, Austvågøy and connected by road bridge to the administrative centre of the Lofoten Islands, Svolvær, deep inside the Arctic Circle, Svinøya dates from 1828 when Gunnar Berg bought half of Svolvær and started to build a main house and wharfs. Later came Krambua, the first shop at Svinøya which quickly became the centre of the village. The main house is today called the Manor House and across from the old trade wharf is Børsen Spiseri, the restaurant, and Krambua, the old shop, houses the reception. Within the course of the 19th century, there were 81 rorbu cabins, all built to house fishermen that came to the island every year to fish the code from January to March or April, but over the next 100 years, they fell into decline until 1993 when John Berg started to renovate them. Today there are 35 original cabins and 15 more recently-built ones, offering one to three double bedrooms, a well-equipped open-plan kitchen-living room and a modern bathroom with shower and wc. The original feel and authenticity of the cabins has been maintained, with the use of timber and craftmanship. The rorbu cabins are located between the fish landing station, quayside buildings, fish racks and other local buildings. On one side there is the sea, and on the other side, the spectacular outline of the Lofoten mountains. Fishing is still a major industry for the Lofoten Islands and the traditions of the region are preserved and for the visitor to experience. Børsen Spiseri is on the quayside and housed in a warehouse dating from 1828. The building’s historical characteristics have been preserved and the restaurant service excellent local food, both meat and fish. A speciality is stockfish, which is unsalted fish, usually cod, dried by the cold air and wind on wooden racks. Nearby is the Gunnar Berg gallery with over 70 of the artist’s paintings. At Svinøya all manner of outdoor experiences are offered including Lofoten fishing, kayaking, mountain hikes, northern lights hunts, snowshoe hikes, sea eagle and sea safaris by boat. Staying in a traditional rorbuer offers an authentic experience full of the traditions and culture of the Lofoten Islands.
Room descriptions
Svinøya Rorbuer has a total of 50 cabins sleeping from two to six persons located in the Original Rorbu cabins and the Rorbu suites. Rorbu cabin with one bedroom, bathroom with shower and wc, kitchen-living room, sea and mountain view, coffee maker/electric kettle, cable TV and Wi-Fi. There are also 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom Rorbu cabins. Rorbu suites are modern suites for up to 8 guests on two floors. Each has a private quay front terrace, 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen, dining room and living room. There are also Vestfjord suites, located in a small hotel with just 6 rooms and about 300 metres from the main building, and with parking outside. Here is a selection of the room types. Others are available on request.
It was an excellent holiday - due to excellent planning on your side. Super efficient, very professional.Mrs F, Holiday to Norway, Oct 2023
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Rorbu cabin S for 5 nights
From about
£1,220 1 Jan-31 May, 1 Sep-26 Dec
£1,420 1 Jun-31 Aug, 27 Dec-31 Dec
Holiday Code EXH46349
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to Svinoya Rorbuer, Lofoten Islands, Norway
The journey and how you get there
For a holiday to Svinøya Rorbuer you can fly to Svolvaer airport via Oslo and then we recommend hiring a car to make the most of your stay in the Lofoten Islands. The hotel is about 10 minutes’ drive from the airport. One suggestion is to fly one way from Oslo and then to take the train from Narvik through Kiruna and overnight to Stockholm, spending a few nights in Stockholm and then flying back to London.
It was an excellent holiday - due to excellent planning on your side. Super efficient, very professional.Mrs F, Holiday to Norway, Oct 2023
Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Rorbu cabin S for 5 nights
From about
£1,220 1 Jan-31 May, 1 Sep-26 Dec
£1,420 1 Jun-31 Aug, 27 Dec-31 Dec
Holiday Code EXH46349
The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to Svinoya Rorbuer, Lofoten Islands, Norway
About Northern Norway
This northernmost region of the country, with the large part of it sitting within the Arctic Circle, is one that conjures up much of the magic for the visitor to Norway. This is the land of snow and ice, endless tundra, red-painted houses of fishing villages, the land of the midnight sun and the eerily mystical Northern Lights. Perched on the coast near Narvik are the idyllic Lofoten Islands, with craggy peaks, inlets and fjords, fishing villages and farms. Svolvaer is the gateway to the Lofoten Islands and from here you can visit the charming villages of Reine, Stramsund, Ballstad and Nusfjord. The main town of the region is Tromsø, situated about 186 miles inside the Arctic Circle and the place from where Amundsen started his polar expedition. The town is a popular place for viewing the Northern Lights. Other places you might visit depending on how you travel through this region are Mo I Rana, Bodø and Narvik. From Narvik you can take the train to Kiruna in Sweden and on to Stockholm (by sleeper train).
Highlights of Northern Norway
Places of interest include the Lofoten Aquarium, the Lofotr Vikingmuseum, farm visits and visits to meet the locals. You can experience the Midnight Sun in summer and undertake many activities such as climbing, hiking, sailing, kayaking, sea safaris to visit Trollfjord and watch for sea eagles, fishing trips. There are scenic routes around the Lofoten Island affording ample photo opportunities and the chance to see striking artwork set amongst the natural landscape and near the viewing points. There are several art galleries on the Lofoten Islands displaying not only paintings and prints, but also glasswork and Lofoten woollen goods. From Bodø there are numerous hiking trails near the hotel, with the hotel recommending the Ramnfloget, Keiservarden, Ørnkloa, Bestefarvarden, and Finnkonnakken. There are also RIB excursions available nearby, and the area is home to the famous Saltstraumen maelstrom. Bodø is a short distance away, with restaurants, bars, shops, and museums, such as the Norwegian Aviation Museum. Mjelle Beach is further up the coast, known for its red sand, infused with garnet. Tromsø recommended highlights: Arctic Cathedral, Storsteinen mountain ledge, Polar Museum, Tromsø Museum, dolphin safaris, fjord cruises, Northern Light searches.
Cultural highlights of Northern Norway
Tromsø is home to a number of museums including the Polar Museum and the Tromsø museum. Svolvaer has its own local history museum and on Lofoten there is a Viking long house and museum. Near Bodø is the Kjerringoy trading post and the Bunkermuseum. Northern Norway is home to the Sami people and you can experience the Sami culture in a number of locations: reindeer herding, joik (Sami folk music), silver working, Sami clothing and ceramics.
Festivals of Northern Norway
Northern Lights festival in Tromsø held at the end of January, the Arctic Arts Festival in Harstad during the summer solstice in June and the Lofoten International Art Festival, which takes place alternate years and features contemporary art. Tromsø holds a jazz festival in the summer.
Gastronomy of Northern Norway
Stockfish is one of the signature dishes (dried cod served with carrots, bacon and scrambled eggs). All manner of fish and seafood: halibut, cod, herring, haddock, mussels, prawns and lobsters. Skrei is the wandering Atlantic cod, and one of the most protected and sustainable fish stocks in the world. Seaweed is harvested in the Lofoten islands and King crab is a delicacy in the region. Herring is served in a variety of ways: fresh, smoked, salted and pickled. Reindeer is a delicacy in northern Norway and is often roasted or cooked in stews. Lamb are reared locally on the Lofoten islands and on the Lyngen peninsula. Cloudberries are picked to make jam and desserts. The Mack brewery is based in Tromsø and produces popular local beers.
