Norway Travel Guide - Accommodation

First-class hotels are to be found all over the country. Facilities in all establishments are classified, as hotels must come up to official high standards; for example, there must be a reception service, dining room, and a minimum of 30 rooms, each with full bath or shower. Many hotels are family-run establishments, but the big international chains are often present in larger towns and cities.

Guest houses (pensjonat) are generally smaller in size and offer less elaborate facilities than hotels, although many establishments can offer the same standard as those officially listed as hotels. The closest equivalent of the bed & breakfast are rooms offered in private houses. Local tourist offices have information about these, and they can also be located by roadside signs indicating rom or husrom.

These are working farms and anyone who wants to can join in the work, but guests are at liberty to plan their own day, and the hosts will generally be able to suggest tours, excursions and other activities. Contact Innovation Norway for further information (see Contact Addresses). The tour operator Norske Bygdeopplevelser (see Accommodation Information below) offers farmhouse, cycling and skiing tours.

The ubiquitous hytter (cabins or chalets) and holiday apartments are very popular types of holiday accommodation in Norway that can be found almost everywhere around the country, either in organised holiday parks or singly, often in remote mountain, coastal or lakeside locations. These are ideally suited for families or small groups, and local tourist offices can provide details.

A rorbu is a cottage used by northern Norwegian fishermen during the winter cod-fishing season. Equipped with all the necessary facilities, these are leased to holidaymakers during the summer, providing an inexpensive form of accommodation. They will often be actually over the water. Catching your own fish will further reduce the cost of the holiday. The arctic Lofoten Islands are the most popular location for these.

Offsite camping is permitted in uninhabited areas (not lay-bys), but fires are illegal in field or woodland areas between 15 April and 15 September. Farmers must be asked for permission for farmland camping. Further details and a manual are available from the Norwegian Automobile Association (NAF) (see Getting Around).

There are over 100 youth hostels spread over Norway, some of which are open all year round. Others are in apartment houses attached to schools or universities and are open only during the summer season. Sleeping bags can be hired if necessary. Groups must always make advance bookings. All are welcome, but members of the Norwegian Youth Hostel Association (NUH), or similar associations in other countries, have priority.

NHO Reiseliv (Norwegian Hospitality Association)
PO Box 5465, Majorstuen, 0305 Oslo, Norway
Tel: 22 2308 8620.
Website: www.rbl.no

Bed & Breakfast Norway A/S
Østbyfaret 9D, 0690 Oslo, Norway
Tel: 9923 7799.
Website: www.bbnorway.com

Norske Bygdeopplevelser A/S (Bicycle Trip Organisers)
PO Box 373, 2602 Lillehammer, Norway
Tel: 6128 9970.
Website: www.norske-bygdeopplevelser.no

Den Norske Hytteformidling A/S (Information on Cottage Holidays)
PO Box 309, 0103 Oslo, Norway
Tel: 2335 6270.
Website: www.novasol.com

DFDS Seaways UK (Information on Self-Catering Holidays)
Tel: 0871 522 9955.
Website: www.fjordline.com

Destinasjon Lofoten (Information on Rorbu Holidays)
PO Box 210, 8301 Svolvær, Norway
Tel: 7606 9800.
Website: www.lofoten.info

Norske Vandrerhjem (Hostelling International Norway)
PO Box 53 Grefsen, 0409 Oslo, Norway
Tel: 2312 4510.
Website: www.vandrehjem.no