Solstrand Hotel overlooks the fjord, only 30 km south of Bergen and the airport. This unique location right by the Bjørnefjord, an arm of the Hardangerfjord, is as beautiful and serene as it is convenient for a luxury hotel.

The facilities

Solstrand has been in the Schau-Larsen family for four generations, preserving a tradition of unsurpassed hospitality, traditional cuisine and a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. For a hundred years, this luxury hotel's exquisite location, beautiful surroundings and magnificent view of the Folgefonna glacier have gained it a loyal clientele base with travellers in the know.

Solstrand was built in 1896 by Christian Michelsen, who would go on to become Norway's first prime minister after gaining independence from Sweden in 1905. He built it as a holiday resort for the Bergen merchant-princes so that they could "have a place to gather strength for their great deeds." Michelsen wanted the guests to enjoy fresh air, healthy outdoor life and a swim in the sea.

Restoration and extension have expanded Solstrand's offerings without compromising its turn-of-the-century character and charm. It is still a "light, airy and picturesque house" situated in a rich cultural and natural landscape.