Juvet Landscape Hotel

Juvet Landscape Hotel in Valldal, Norway, is a celebrated architectural gem and a Michelin Key One-Keys property, renowned for its unique blend of modernist design and profound immersion in nature. It offers a "rethinking of the hotel experience," inviting guests to connect deeply with the surrounding wilderness.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Juvet Landscape Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with guests describing it as a "magical place" and a "once-in-a-lifetime escape." The sentiment revolves around a feeling of being "reset, rejuvenated and blessed" by the experience of being immersed in nature. Its innovative design and remote setting contribute to a highly praised, intimate, and community-oriented stay, balancing solitude with shared experiences.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight the hotel's striking design and architecture, which features glass-walled cubes seamlessly integrated into the landscape, offering panoramic views of the river, forest, and mountains. The location itself is a major draw, providing tranquility and privacy amidst the Norwegian fjords. The communal dining experience in a renovated barn is also frequently praised for fostering a sense of community among guests. Additionally, the tranquil spa facilities, including a riverside sauna and wood-fired outdoor hot tubs with panoramic views, are a significant highlight.

Room Quality

Juvet offers different room types, including seven Landscape Rooms, two Bird Houses, and the larger Writer's Lodge. The Landscape Rooms are "small cubes on stilts," featuring one or two walls entirely built of glass, providing expansive views of the valley, forest, or river. The rooms are designed with dark interiors to ensure the focus remains on the exterior scenery. Despite the glass walls, careful orientation ensures privacy, and curtains are intentionally absent as part of the appeal. Essential luxuries such as plush bedding, warm lighting, and heated floors are provided to counter the Norwegian chill. Some rooms also include a cubby that can be opened to hear the river. The Bird Houses are compact, cantilevered cabins also boasting floor-to-ceiling windows.

Dining Experience

Meals at Juvet are served communally in "The Barn," an 18th-century farmhouse that also serves as a central lounge and library. Buffet breakfast is included in the rate and features a spread of fresh bread, cheese, cold cuts, yogurt, cereal, coffee, tea, and local apple juice. Dinner is a prix fixe, three-course meal, typically an additional fee (around 1,100 NOK per person as of late 2025, or approximately $85). The cuisine celebrates Nordic traditions with daily-changing menus using locally sourced and foraged ingredients, such as local duck, freshly caught salmon, traditional whale, smoked trout, wild chanterelles, and berries. Guests appreciate the opportunity to share stories and recount their day's activities during these intimate communal dinners. Guests can also make sandwiches from the breakfast spread for lunch.

Service & Staff

The service at Juvet is described as "low-intervention" and "invisible yet ever-present," with staff appearing when needed and then receding to allow nature to remain the focus. The small, family-led team, including the founder's daughter as the general manager, is noted for its personal, informal, yet professional approach. They are helpful in offering guidance on local hikes and activities. Guests have felt more like friends than paying guests, and dietary requirements are catered for thoughtfully.

Location & Accessibility

Juvet Landscape Hotel is situated in Valldal, in the fjords of northwestern Norway, about a 90-minute drive from Ålesund airport (AES). It is also accessible by an 8-hour drive from Oslo. The hotel is located along the famous Norwegian Scenic Route, nestled between the UNESCO world heritage Geiranger Fjord and the dramatic Trollstigen road. While remote, requiring a drive through rural roads, the journey itself is often considered part of the rewarding experience, offering changing weather and terrain. The hotel is 11 kilometers from Valldal, near the Gudbrandsjuvet viewpoint. Renting a car from Ålesund is recommended for exploring the area.

Value & Pricing

At the time of review, Landscape Rooms were priced around 3,500 NOK (approximately £250 or $385-$600 USD) per night, inclusive of breakfast and dinner. Bird Houses are approximately $430 per night, and the Writer's Lodge around $750 per night. Despite the cost, guests often consider the unique experience to be a "steal" and well worth the price. The hotel generally has limited weekend availability, and early booking is recommended, especially for peak months.

Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some guest feedback highlights a few potential areas for consideration. One review for the Writer's Lodge noted a "poor" room service experience, with beds not being made and limited daily cleaning or tidying provided for a high price point (around $1,200 a night). The same reviewer also mentioned soft mattresses and a lack of proper storage in the room, as well as the lighting being "extremely dark" with no resolution despite raising the issue. The absence of curtains in the glass-walled rooms, while part of the hotel's appeal, might be a minor inconvenience for those who prefer to sleep in or desire complete darkness. Additionally, the remote location means that rural highways in Norway are not dotted with restaurants or convenience stores, so packing snacks or stocking up on groceries in a larger city is advisable. The property is closed from mid-November to early March due to harsh weather and difficult road conditions.

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