Hotel Union Øye
Edwardian manor meets Norwegian wilderness — grand piano in the salon, creaking wood floors, flickering fireplaces, hand-stitched quilts, and a glass-walled sauna dock jutting into the fjord. No gym, no pool, no spa. The outdoors is the amenity.
The King, Queen, and Mountain Climber suites each occupy their own floor — same floor plan, completely different character. The Queen Suite has the famous 'ring for champagne' bell that actually works.
Why It Matters
One of the most historically significant hotels in Norway. Hosted Kaiser Wilhelm II biannually from 1890–1908, Edvard Grieg (who composed at its salon piano), Arthur Conan Doyle, Karen Blixen, and countless mountaineering pioneers. A Michelin One Key property and Relais & Châteaux member at the literal end of the road — the road stops at the hotel.
A red-and-cream timber manor house at the dead end of Norangsfjorden, Hotel Union Øye opened in 1891 after its prefabricated structure was shipped in piece by piece via the Hjørundfjord. All rooms are named after famous historic guests — Kaiser Wilhelm II, Karen Blixen, Edvard Grieg, Arthur Conan Doyle, among others — and the bones of the place haven't changed much since. The Michelin One Key property sits at the foot of the Sunnmøre Alps, surrounded by steep mountains on every side, with the fjord right at the door and proper hiking summits minutes away.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Classic Room
The entry-level rooms in the main historic building. From 15 sqm — small, honest, and still carrying the patterned wallpaper, dark wood furniture, and ornate mirrors of the original hotel. Mountain views and a sitting area.
15 sqm
Deluxe Room
Individual rooms in the main historic building, all named after famous past guests. From 20 sqm with a bathtub — compact but full of character with antique furnishings, wood panelling, and fjord or mountain views.
20 sqm
Garden Deluxe Double
The more compact garden house rooms at 18 sqm. Built in the traditional western Norwegian farm settlement style with modern comfort. A sitting area, queen-size bed, and mountain or garden views. Feels more like a private cottage room than a hotel.
Queen · 18 sqmGarden Junior Suite
Part of the garden cluster farm — turf-roofed farmhouses adjacent to the main building. Same size and fireplace/bathtub combination as the Garden Suite. More Nordic and minimalist than the historic main house rooms, with mountain and garden views. 40 sqm.
40 sqmGarden Suite
Located in the cluster of turf-roofed traditional Norwegian farmhouses in the hotel garden — the newer addition built in a traditional western Norwegian farm settlement style. At 40 sqm with a stone fireplace and bathtub, these rooms are more minimalist and Nordic than the main building's Edwardian grandeur. Mountain and garden views.
40 sqm
Junior Suite
Historic rooms in the main building, individually designed and named after notable past guests. Each has a four-poster bed and a balcony. From 25 sqm — comfortable, characterful, and just cozy enough to feel like you've landed inside a Victorian novel.
25 sqm
Suite (King, Queen, or Mountain Climber)
The three flagship suites each occupy their own floor in the main historic building. Each has a sitting room with desk and balcony, a separate bedroom with its own balcony, a fireplace, and a spacious bathroom with a large bathtub. The bones are the same across all three — the character of each is entirely its own. The Queen Suite notably features a working 'ring for champagne' bell beside the bathtub.
King · 58 sqmTorestova
A beautifully preserved log house just steps from the hotel in the centre of the hamlet of Øye. Grass roof, traditional construction, space for eight guests, a kitchenette, dining room, and two bathrooms. This is the option for families or groups wanting a private base — it feels genuinely rooted in the history and natural surroundings of the valley.
The Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
A four-tier afternoon tea in the historic salon every Wednesday and Saturday, created by Head Chef Anette Myrhagen and Pastry Chef Eleftheria Petraki. Seasonal menu with local ingredients — savory bites through to sweet pastries.
Three-course seasonal Sunday lunch in The Conservatory from 12:30–15:00. Leisurely pace, fjord views, and the same kitchen producing the fine dining dinners.
Find the cellar master in the wine cellar Tuesday to Saturday afternoons for an informal tasting session.
Cruise the winding roads of the fjord landscape in a classic Morgan convertible. A very on-brand way to experience the Norangsdal valley roads.
Guided e-bike ride through the scenic Norang valley — past wild landscapes, cultural history sites, and dramatic mountain scenery. Run in partnership with Uteguiden.
Guided kayaking on the still waters of Norangsfjorden, gliding between the steep mountain walls. Guided by local experts from Uteguiden.
A glass-walled sauna sitting on a dock over the fjord, with a cold plunge directly into Norangsfjorden right outside the door. Mountain views from every angle. This is the hotel's primary wellness offering in lieu of a traditional spa.
Take to the skies above the Sunnmøre Alps. The hotel arranges helicopter transfers and scenic flights over the dramatic fjord landscape.
The Sunnmøre Alps directly above the hotel have attracted mountaineers since the 1890s. The hotel's library holds a climbers' book with routes documented over generations. Options range from gentle valley walks to serious summit ascents. Guided options available via Uteguiden.
Private guided boat excursion through Norangsfjorden and the surrounding fjords — passing towering peaks and cascading waterfalls. The hotel can also arrange cruise connections to the Geirangerfjord.
Guided ski touring in the pristine slopes of the Sunnmøre Alps above the hotel, available in winter and spring.
Guided snorkeling through the historic flooded underwater village of Lygnstøylsvatnet — a submerged settlement visible beneath the surface of a local lake.
Complimentary nightly session after dinner in the historic living room — a member of staff shares the hotel's history, ghost stories, and tales of its famous past guests over nightcaps by the fireplace. Every night.
Complimentary snooker and board games in the hotel's dedicated game room with dark wood bookshelves, a green baize pool table, and coffered ceiling. Fireplace included.
A remarkable in-house collection of alpine history and exploration literature, including the hotel's historical climbers' book. A must-visit even if you're not planning to summit anything.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Multiple firelit living rooms in the main building where guests can gather, read, and attend nightly storytelling sessions.
Complimentary wireless internet throughout the hotel.
On-site wine cellar with a curated selection. Host to the sommelier's informal tasting sessions.
The historic salon houses the original grand piano — still played regularly by hotel staff, continuing the hotel's tradition of musical soirées dating to the 1890s.
Room service available for hotel guests.
In-house library with a curated collection of alpine exploration and Norwegian history books, plus the hotel's historic climbers' register.
Hotel garden and outdoor terrace surrounded by mountain scenery. Used for outdoor dining and summer relaxation.
On-site parking available for all guests at no charge.
Guest yachts are welcome to moor at the hotel's private quay on the fjord.
Glass-walled sauna on a dock over the fjord with direct cold plunge access into Norangsfjorden. The hotel's primary wellness facility — no indoor pool or traditional spa.
There is no gym or indoor pool. The hotel's position in the 1891 building means neither was ever built. The fjords and mountains serve as the workout facility.
BUILD YOUR HOTEL UNION ØYE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning