A modern, standard double room in the new building.
Welcome to a charming hotel overlooking the idyllic Hardangerfjord Thon Hotel Sandven is a historic hotel steeped in tradition, suitable for both leisure and business travellers. It is situated in scenic surroundings, perched on the edge of the captivating Hardangerfjord, and in close proximity to Bergen. The hotel is an excellent place to relax while enjoying Norheimsund and the stunning Norwegian nature. By Ingrid Opstad | Photos: Thon Hotel Sandven
As the perfect setting to start your adventure in Hardanger, Thon Hotel Sandven is an idyllic gem inside a classic 19th-century white wooden house full of history. “It is a typical Norwegian period house in Swiss style, which has been well-preserved with all its charm still present,” says director Arnstein Birkeland. The building itself is listed 80 | Issue 128 | September 2019
and was originally built in 1857. It was privately owned for several generations, until it was bought in 2011 by Olav Thon, who decided to expand the hotel by adding a new extension.
Homely and elegant atmosphere Today, the hotel has a total of 104 rooms, 33 of which are in the original,
historic hotel building. These are kept in its authentic style, with antique furniture and old-fashioned interiors to create a homely and elegant atmosphere. “We are in the process this autumn and winter of completely renovating this part of the hotel. All rooms will be revamped with brand-new bathrooms, but we will preserve the existing, cosy old style,” says Birkeland. The remaining 71 rooms are located in the new wing, which was completed in 2013. Here, the hotel offers 17 wellequipped and modern apartments, perfect for short- or long-term rental, with everything needed for a comfort-