The hotel is by the water’s edge in the pretty town of Stavanger in western Norway.
Planes
Flights from the UK, Europe and across Norway land at Stavanger Airport, which is 15 kilometres from the hotel. Private transfers for the 20-minute drive can be arranged for NOK1176 each way; a taxi will cost between NOK500-600.
Trains
Services from Oslo and Kristiansand pull into Stavanger Station, which is five minutes by car from the hotel.
Automobiles
Taking an epic Norwegian road trip? You can use the handy public car park for NOK250 a day.
Other
Ferries from Hirtshals, Bergen and Langesund dock at nearby Stavanger ferry port.
Worth getting out of bed for
Stroll around striking Stavanger, admiring the boldly coloured buildings and ducking into local cafés to warm up. Turn street-art spotting into a scavenger hunt; held in September, the Nuart Festival invites artists to decorate the walls of Stavanger in their signature styles. Go snap-happy looking for some of the vibrant artwork the rest of the year. Hop on a 20-minute shuttle boat to garden island Flor & Fjære – take a guided tour of the manicured gardens and enjoy a scenic lunch before setting sail back to the mainland.
Manafossen waterfall is short, and only a 40-minute drive from the hotel. The hike’s steep at the beginning, so choose boots with good tread. The starting point of the trail up to famous Pulpit Rock is a five-minute boat ride from the hotel. The hike is not for the faint of heart; dress in layers, pack snacks and hire a guide if you’re still finding your hiking feet.
Local restaurants
Get your kanelsnurrer (that’s cinnamon bun to non-Norwegians) fix at aptly named Kanelsnurren. Not a fan of cinnamon? (We’ll let it slide.) A host of other freshly baked breads, pastries and day-fuelling coffees also await. Lunch on street-food-style banh-mi, bibimbap and fried chicken at Fortou, or tuck into tacos and tostadas at sister restaurant Tako by Fortou. Vegetarians rejoice – Bellies serves sharing portions of creamy baba ganoush, seasonal mezze dishes and wood-fired veggies. Kick back with a leisurely dinner at Renaa Matbaren, the brasserie-style sister to Eliert Smith’s in-house restaurant. Start with Padrón peppers and salted cod, move on to mains of carrot tagine or lemon-spritzed hake and ramson, and save room for zingy yuzu tarts or Renaa’s classic chocolate cake. Settle in for set-menu dinners at veggie-centric restaurant Söl; the five- to seven-courses vary with the seasons, but past favourites have included fresh cod with smoked mussels, and grilled courgette with fresh cheese and fermented tomato. Hankering for handmade pastas, creamy risottos and a dash of truffle oil? Make your way to Casa Gio for a taste of Italy (in Norway). And when you’re this close to the sea, it’d be a shame to miss out on the catch of the day. Luckily Fisketorget has cast a wide net – you’ll find (subject to the fishermen’s haul) Norwegian king crab, warming fish soup, rose-hued lobsters and grilled fish with local vegetables.