The Nordics Hotel Guide 2026: Norway's Special Awards
From City Hotel of the Year and Best Gourmet Hotel to Hoteliers of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award, Falstaff honors Norway's most outstanding hotels and leading figures in hospitality.
Hotel of the Year
Storfjord Hotel, Skodje
Nestled above the Storfjord with panoramic views, Storfjord Hotel, a member of Relais & Châteaux, captures the essence of Norwegian nature and craftsmanship. Built in traditional timber style, the hotel offers an intimate and authentic experience, where luxury is defined by warmth, tranquillity and a strong sense of place. Its secluded location creates a true retreat, while the personalised service enhances the feeling of being welcomed into a private home. Carefully curated interiors, open fireplaces and natural materials reinforce the connection to the landscape. Storfjord stands as a benchmark for experiential hospitality, where nature, design and atmosphere come together seamlessly, offering guests a deeply restorative and memorable stay.
Hotelier of the Year
Martin Andersen, The Thief, Oslo
Martin Andersen brings a rare international perspective to Norwegian luxury hospitality. Appointed General Manager of THE THIEF in 2025, he returns to one of Oslo’s most iconic design hotels with nearly two decades of experience across leading properties in New York, Los Angeles and Norway. His background includes roles at The Lowell, The Plaza, and Waldorf Astoria in New York; the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles; and Amerikalinjen and Saga Hotel Oslo. With a strong understanding of lifestyle luxury, service culture and commercial strategy, Andersen is well-positioned to lead THE THIEF into its next chapter as a bold, art-driven landmark on Oslo’s waterfront.
Best New Opening
Ytri Island Retreat, Træna
Ytri Island Retreat introduces a new level of exclusivity to the Norwegian hospitality scene, offering a secluded escape on an island along the rugged west coast. As one of the most remote hotels in Norway and a member of Relais & Châteaux, Ytri is designed for complete privacy and immersion in nature, combining contemporary architecture with raw, untouched surroundings. With just 38 individually designed rooms, the retreat offers an intimate and highly personalised experience. A strong focus on simplicity, quality, and tailored experiences appeals to travellers seeking meaningful, remote destinations. As a new opening, it reflects the shift towards intimate, experience-driven luxury in Norway.
Lifetime Achievement
Elisabeth C. Brochmann, Hotel Continental, Oslo
Elisabeth C. Brochmann, fourth-generation owner and Chairwoman of Hotel Continental in Oslo, represents one of Norway’s most enduring hospitality legacies. She took over the running of the family hotel in 1985, after training in Switzerland and gaining international experience in London, Hamburg and Lyon. Under her leadership, Hotel Continental has remained a privately owned landmark in the heart of Oslo: home to Theatercaféen, an important art collection and Norway’s only member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Brochmann has carefully modernised the hotel while preserving its heritage. Her work reflects rare long-term stewardship, cultural sensitivity and an unwavering commitment to Norwegian hospitality at its highest level.
Best Spa Hotel
Farris Bad, Larvik
Located by the Larvik coastline, Farris Bad is one of Norway’s leading spa destinations, uniquely built above a natural mineral spring. The hotel combines modern design with a strong focus on health and wellbeing, offering a wide range of treatments rooted in both science and relaxation. Its proximity to the sea enhances the overall experience, with sea views, fresh air and direct access to the shoreline creating a sense of calm and renewal. Extensive spa facilities, including pools, saunas and thermal experiences, support both physical recovery and mental balance. Farris Bad sets a high standard for spa hospitality in Norway, where functionality, quality and atmosphere come together in a holistic and restorative environment.
Engagement for Sustainability & Innovation
Juvet Landscape Hotel, Valldal
Juvet Landscape Hotel is widely regarded as one of the most innovative hotel concepts in Scandinavia, seamlessly integrated into the surrounding nature. With minimal intervention in the landscape, each room is designed as an individual structure, allowing guests to experience the environment without disruption. The hotel’s philosophy is rooted in preservation, simplicity and deep respect for its natural setting. Architecture, materials and placement are carefully considered to minimise impact while maximising connection to the landscape. Juvet has redefined the relationship between design and nature, becoming an international reference point for sustainable and experiential hospitality in the Nordics.
Best City Hotel
Amerikalinjen, Oslo
Amerikalinjen brings a unique blend of history and contemporary luxury to central Oslo, housed in the former headquarters of the Norwegian America Line dating back to 1919. The building once served as the departure point for thousands of Norwegians emigrating to the United States, adding a deep cultural narrative to the hotel experience. Today, with 122 rooms and suites, the hotel combines preserved heritage details with modern design, creating a vibrant and character-driven atmosphere. Its strong identity, alongside high-quality dining and cultural programming, makes it a key destination within the city, successfully bridging past and present for both international guests and locals.
Best Boutique Hotel
Hotel Union Øye,Norangsfjorden
Hotel Union Øye, member of Relais & Châteaux, stands as one of Norway’s most iconic and storied boutique hotels, set at the foot of the dramatic Sunnmøre Alps. Family-owned and run across generations, the hotel carries a deep sense of continuity, heritage and personal stewardship. Its historic interiors, filled with antiques and original details, reflect a rich legacy that has welcomed artists, royalty and explorers for over a century. Each room is individually styled, preserving the charm and character of a bygone era. At the same time, attentive service and a strong sense of place create a warm and authentic atmosphere. Hotel Union Øye remains a benchmark for timeless, character-driven hospitality in the Nordics.
Best Value
Skostredet Hotel, Bergen
Skostredet Hotel brings a fresh and contemporary approach to value-driven hospitality in the heart of Bergen. Located on one of the city’s most vibrant streets, the hotel reflects the energy of its surroundings through bold design, a relaxed atmosphere and a strong local identity. The interiors combine modern aesthetics with playful details, creating a stay that feels both stylish and approachable. With a focus on comfort, quality and a seamless guest experience, Skostredet appeals to a new generation of travellers seeking both character and accessibility. It sets a compelling benchmark for what value can look like in Norway’s evolving urban hospitality scene.
Best Gourmet Hotel
Eilert Smith Hotel, Stavanger
Eilert Smith Hotel offers a refined and intimate take on gourmet hospitality in the heart of Stavanger, where design, atmosphere and cuisine come together seamlessly. At its core is the acclaimed restaurant RE-NAA, awarded three Michelin stars, positioning the hotel among the leading culinary destinations in the Nordics. The hotel’s limited number of rooms ensures a highly personalised and exclusive experience, complemented by understated interiors and attentive service. With its strong focus on quality, precision and guest experience, Eilert Smith Hotel represents the pinnacle of modern gourmet hospitality in Norway, attracting discerning travellers from around the world.
Best Hideaway Hotel
Nusfjord Village & Resort, Ramberg
Nusfjord Village offers a truly unique hideaway experience, set within one of Norway’s oldest and best-preserved fishing villages in the Lofoten Islands. Surrounded by dramatic mountains and open sea, the hotel invites guests into a landscape defined by raw beauty and deep cultural heritage. Restored fishermen’s cabins have been carefully transformed into distinctive accommodations, preserving their original character while offering modern comfort. The experience is rooted in authenticity, from local cuisine to traditional activities that connect guests to the area’s history. Nusfjord Village stands as a rare example of how heritage and hospitality can coexist, creating a secluded and meaningful retreat in one of Norway’s most striking regions.
Hotel Entrepreneur of the Year
Petter Stordalen
Petter Stordalen has played a transformative role in shaping the Nordic hospitality landscape for over three decades, building one of the region’s most influential hotel groups through vision, energy, and a bold entrepreneurial spirit. As founder and CEO of Strawberry Group, he has redefined large-scale hospitality by combining commercial strength with a strong focus on culture, sustainability and guest experience. Under his leadership, the group has expanded across the Nordics with a diverse portfolio of brands, while continuously evolving to meet changing expectations. Known for his dynamic leadership style and clear values, Stordalen continues to influence the direction of modern hospitality on a global scale.
