Fjord hotel, cabin or treehouse among the unique places to stay in Norway
Three kinds of stay come up again and again when people look for unique places to stay in Norway: the fjord hotel, the traditional cabin and the treehouse. Here is the difference in one table, and what it means for your holiday.
Key points
Key points
- Among unique places to stay in Norway, a fjord hotel suits you if you want service, breakfast and a reception. A traditional cabin suits you if you want to cook for yourself and keep things quiet. A treehouse suits you if you want the walk there to be part of the holiday.
- At Woodnest in Odda, the treehouses are fixed to living pines. The climb is steep and takes 20 to 60 minutes, and Woodnest is not a hotel.
- The table below shows what you actually get in each type, so you can decide before you book.
What is the difference between a fjord hotel, a cabin and a treehouse?
Among unique places to stay in Norway, the difference lies in who does the work and where you sleep. At a hotel, staff welcome you and prepare the food. In a cabin, you do most things yourself. In a treehouse, you walk up to the tree on your own feet, and a warm room waits in the canopy. The table shows the three types as they usually are, with Woodnest as the example of the third.
| What you want to know | Fjord hotel | Traditional cabin | Treehouse (Woodnest) |
|---|---|---|---|
| How do you get there? | Usually all the way to the door | Often by car, sometimes a short walk | Park at the garage, then a steep, marked trail of 20 to 60 minutes |
| Service | Reception, often breakfast and a restaurant | Varies, often none | No reception and no meals. Self check-in by keycode |
| Food | Can be bought on site | You bring it and cook it yourself | Kitchenette with two induction hot plates. You bring your groceries |
| Bathroom | Private bathroom in the room | Varies from an outhouse to a private bathroom | Toilet and shower inside, plus a bathtub in the Mountaintops |
| Privacy | Other guests in the same building | Often good distance to neighbours | Four treehouses spread across the mountainside |
| Suits | Guests who want to be looked after | Guests who want the cabin tradition | Guests who want to earn the arrival and can manage a steep hike |
The hotel and cabin columns describe the types in general, so always check the individual place. The Woodnest column is based on what we say on our own information page.
When does a fjord hotel suit you best?
A fjord hotel suits you when you want the holiday to run smoothly. You skip the shopping, the cooking and the carrying, and there is someone at the reception if something goes wrong. It is also the easiest choice if anyone in your group struggles with steep ground.
When does a traditional cabin suit you best?
A traditional cabin suits you when you want to make the holiday yourself. You shop on the way, make simple meals and set your own pace. This is the Norwegian cabin tradition, and most people travelling in Norway already know it.
What is it like to stay in a treehouse in Norway?
You park, you climb, and you arrive at a warm room in the canopy. Woodnest has four treehouses in the forest above Odda, designed by architect Dag Strass and fixed to living pines. Two are Woodnest Originals in the heart of the forest, and two are Woodnest Mountaintops higher up, with a view of the Hardangerfjord.
The trail is 320 to 640 metres long with an ascent of 160 to 225 metres. Allow 20 to 45 minutes for the Originals and 30 to 60 minutes for the Mountaintops. The trail is marked with poles and the Woodnest logo, and it is slippery when wet. Bring a headlamp and proper shoes.
Inside you find heated floors, your own toilet and shower, fibre WiFi and a kitchenette with two induction hot plates, pots, pans and basics such as oil, salt, pepper, coffee and tea. You cook for yourself, in the spirit of the Norwegian cabin tradition. You can see the Originals and the Mountaintops with photos on our website.
What should you know before choosing a treehouse?
We tell you before you book. The hike is steep, and we ask you to consider carefully whether you can manage it. The treehouses do not suit wheelchair users, and children are only welcome in the Originals. You cannot push a stroller up there. The northern lights are extremely rare here, snow cannot be promised, and the view across the fjord includes a zinc factory with lights and steam. Shops are closed on Sundays, so buy your groceries in good time.
How do you get to Woodnest?
The closest airport is Bergen Airport, Flesland, about a three-hour drive from Odda. We recommend renting a car. The best route goes via Jondal and Tørvikbygd, with a drive-on ferry you do not need to prebook. Check-in is from 3 pm and check-out is at 11 am. At weekends there is a minimum stay of two nights.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel four weeks before check-in for a 100% refund. Two weeks before check-in you get 50% back. Later than that, there is no refund.
Is there a waiting list for cancellations?
Yes, in practice. Email post@woodnest.no with your preferred dates, and we will let you know if an opening appears.
Can I give a night at Woodnest as a gift?
Yes. We sell gift cards, which suit birthdays, weddings and anniversaries.
