Fretheim Hotel is the grand old hotel of Flåm and the most romantic place to sleep in the village. It stands a few meters from the Aurlandsfjord at the end of the Flåm Railway, with mountains rising almost straight up behind it. The story goes back to the 1870s, when English aristocrats arrived by boat to fish and hunt and lodged at the farm of Christen Fretheim, the wealthiest man in Flåm. His farm grew into a Swiss-style hotel.
Today a glass atrium links the historic building to a modern wing from 2000, giving you a choice between antique character and contemporary comfort. For honeymooners the draw is the historical Tower suite, set over two floors with a jacuzzi and fjord views. The hotel says it is especially popular with newlyweds.
Fretheim suits couples who want to ride the Flåm Railway, cruise the Nærøyfjord and still have a handsome, historic hotel to come back to. In summer the village fills with cruise passengers by day. Staying overnight means you get the quiet evenings after the ships sail. Couples who want a remote cabin or a big spa should look elsewhere on the Sognefjord.
Highlights at a glance
- Two-floor historical Tower suite with jacuzzi
- 17 antique-filled historical rooms
- Fjordside setting at the end of the Flåm Railway
- Five-course dinners at Restaurant Arven
- Floating fjord sauna a short walk away
Why Couples Love Fretheim
The setting is the main event. Flåm sits at the tip of a narrow arm of the Sognefjord. From many rooms you look straight down the water between sheer green walls. Waterfalls streak the cliffs after rain. In the long summer evenings the light lingers until late, the day visitors leave and the village goes quiet.
The hotel has history without stuffiness. The historic wing grew in stages between 1870 and 1970 and has the creaking charm of an old Norwegian resort, while the glass-fronted lobby and newer wing bring light and space. Almost all rooms are carpet-free and all have fjord or mountain views.
Staff can bundle the area's best experiences into packages, including the Flåm Railway, fjord cruises, a floating fjord sauna and bike or zipline tours. That makes planning easy for couples visiting Norway for the first time.
Rooms and Suites to Book
With 122 rooms, Fretheim has a wide range. These are the ones that matter for a honeymoon.
- Historical Tower suite: two floors in the old tower with a jacuzzi, espresso machine and views toward the fjord and mountains. There is no TV, which most couples count as a plus. This is the room to book.
- Historical rooms: 17 individually furnished rooms with antiques, king beds, bathrobes and Nespresso machines, also without TV. They have the most character for the price.
- Junior suites: the largest modern rooms, at the end of the hotel with balconies or patios.
- America wing rooms: historic rooms with balconies and garden views.
Standard twins in the newer wing face the mountains and the trails of Fretheim Kulturpark. They are comfortable but less special. Ask for a fjord-facing room whatever you book.
Dining and the Romantic Package
Restaurant Arven is the hotel's main dining room, serving modern Norwegian food made with local produce: think fjord fish, mountain lamb and berries in season. Restaurant Utsyn is the casual option, with burgers and grills and wide views over the fjord. The Lobby Bar, next to reception, has sofas looking onto the garden and the water and works well for a nightcap.
The hotel's romantic package is good value for honeymooners. It includes Champagne in the room, bathrobes and slippers, a five-course dinner at Arven and the breakfast buffet, with a stay in the Tower suite or a junior suite. Check the current price and dates when you book.
Flåm has only a few restaurants. The Ægir brewpub, a short walk along the harbor, is worth one dinner for its Viking-style hall and house beers.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do in Flåm
The Flåm Railway, which starts almost outside the hotel, is one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world. The ride up to Myrdal passes waterfalls, tunnels and hairpin bends; sit on the left going up for the best views and stop at Kjosfossen falls.
A cruise on the Nærøyfjord, part of a UNESCO World Heritage area, is the other essential. Electric boats glide almost silently between the cliffs to Gudvangen. For something more active, rent bikes and ride down the old navvy road from Myrdal, kayak on the fjord or hike to the Brekkefossen waterfall above the village.
The floating fjord sauna, a short walk from the hotel, is a fine way to end a day: heat up together, then plunge into cold fjord water. Stegastein viewpoint above Aurland is a 20-minute drive and spectacular at sunset.
Getting There
Most couples arrive by train as part of the Norway in a Nutshell route. From Oslo or Bergen, take the Bergen Line to Myrdal, then change to the Flåm Railway for the descent to the fjord. The hotel is at the railway's terminus, so you can walk from the platform with your bags.
By car, Flåm is about three hours from Bergen Flesland (BGO) and about five hours from Oslo, using the long Lærdal Tunnel on the way from the east. Mountain roads close in winter, but the main route stays open.
Fjord boats also connect Flåm with Gudvangen and Bergen. A practical plan is to arrive by train, leave by boat and enjoy two different views of the same landscape. Book trains and cruises well ahead for June to August, when they sell out.
Is It Worth It?
For a night or two in Flåm, yes. Rates are not published as a single figure, but expect roughly $280 a night for two in a standard room with breakfast in summer, with historical rooms, junior suites and the Tower suite costing more (approximate). That is typical for western Norway in high season, where nothing is cheap.
The value lies in the location and the character rooms. A standard room in the newer wing is pleasant but ordinary, so spend a little more for a historical room or go all in on the Tower suite.
Be realistic about summer crowds. Cruise ships and tour buses fill the village in the middle of the day. The hotel itself also hosts groups and conferences. Couples who want true seclusion should consider a cabin in Undredal or Aurland. For first-timers who want the railway and fjord on their doorstep, Fretheim is the classic choice.
Insider tips
- Book the romantic package for the Tower suite or a junior suite with dinner at Arven.
- Ride the Flåm Railway early in the morning, before cruise passengers fill it.
- Ask for a historical room if the Tower suite is taken.
- Reserve the floating fjord sauna for a private session.
