The Norwegian town of Flåm looks like it’s come right out of a fairy-tale book; looming mountains, a classic train station, a charming town centre, and of course, the majestic fjord hugging at its edges.
At the heart of the town is the Fretheim Hotel, a refurbished manor house from the 1800s, which lies Just a short walk away from both the famous Flåmsbana Railway and the UNESCO World Heritage Naærøyfjord. Originally built in a Swiss chalet style, the hotel has 122 rooms split into old and new wings, each of which celebrate different eras in the hotel’s history.
Hotel
We were taken on a short tour of the hotel by Christine, who told us how, in the late 19th century, foreign tourists flocked to Flåm to fish for salmon and trout. A farm owner named Christen Fretheim took hold of this opportunity and decided to turn his farm building into a hotel for visiting fishermen.
A renovation project took place in 2000 when the new wing was constructed to bring some modern elements to the historical property. We also popped into the conference and meeting rooms which have been used for both corporate functions and weddings. With the amazing outdoors just a stone’s throw away, businesses are able to provide their teams with a team building experience that has a mix of work and leisure.
Room
All of Fretheim Hotel’s rooms boast impeccable views, whether it’s the surrounding mountains or the Aurlandsfjord, guests won’t have to leave the hotel to enjoy the beautiful scenery. We stayed in one of the twin rooms which has a balcony that looks out onto the hotel gardens. A few days after we left, a Norwegian favourite, CC Cowboys, had an al fresco concert, the Flåm train station, and the stunning mountain landscape. Our room was in the hotel’s new wing and is separated from the historical side of the hotel via a glass enclosed middle section which houses the lounge, bar, and restaurant.
On our tour we were able to see the hotel’s signature rooms in the old wing, which celebrate a bygone era with lion-footed bathtubs, antique décor, and no televisions. We also visited one of the 12 America rooms, first created in the 1960s and renovated in 2012, to cater for the influx of American tourists who came to Flåm to trace their roots. Leather chairs, carpeted floors, and a dark colour palette pay homage to the first-class cabins on the ships that sailed from America in the 1900s.
Food
Upon arrival, we chose to grab some drinks at the lobby bar. We were lucky to find a spot by the floor-to-ceiling windows that gave us front row seats of the striking waters of the fjord. Upstairs lies Restaurant Arven, where we enjoyed the buffet offering for both breakfast and dinner. Great care is placed onto featuring local producers and delicacies unique to the region such as brown cheese and goat meat. Breakfast includes traditional Norwegian sweet and savoury options like smoked salmon, local goat’s cheese, and jams, whilst dinner highlighted mains such as crab, lobster, and pork.
To do
Flåm is a breath-taking little town with lots of areas to explore. Take a step back in time at the Railway Museum inside the old train station to see photos and memorabilia from the town’s former settlers. Then jump on the Flåmsbana itself and admire the lush greenery and waterfalls as you hurtle across the mountain. The highlight of your trip will no doubt be anything you do by the fjord, whether that’s grabbing a bite at a fjord-side café, paddling away on a sea kayak, or embarking on a fjord safari in a guided RIB, the Aurlandsfjord and the UNESCO World Heritage Nærøyfjord will not disappoint.
In a nutshell
Fretheim Hotel has an unbeatable location in one of Norway’s most beautiful locations. Merging the old and the new, it exudes Norwegian hospitality and invites guests to experience the beautiful nature that it’s surrounded by. Whether you’re travelling with your family, partner, or group of adventure seekers, Fretheim Hotel is the most ideal hotel to stay in to truly enjoy the nature, food, and history that Flåm has to offer.
Factbox
Address: Nedre Fretheim, 5743 Flåm, Norway
Phone: +47 57 63 63 00
Website: norwaysbest.com/fretheim-hotel
Instagram: instagram.com/fretheimhotelflam
