Unique hotel opening in Norway - design, nature and extensive activity menu

For over 30 years, his job has been to offer spectacular nature-based experiences in Voss, Norway. Now he is opening a unique landscape hotel that can really put Voss on the world map.

The new design and landscape hotel Elva Hotel in Voss opened on 16 June. The hotel enjoys a fantastic location right on the river bank, combining stunning scenery with immediate proximity to activities such as rafting, climbing and extreme sports.

‘We believe that this combination makes us unique in the global context, and we have already had many enthusiastic international travel agents visiting who say the same,’ says Frode Solbakk of Voss Active.

Solbakk is the CEO of Voss Active and General Manager of Voss Rafting Centre, and the mastermind behind the brand new Elva Hotel in Skulestadmoen. For over 30 years, he and his colleagues have contributed to innovation and activity in the town through Voss Rafting Centre, the High Rope & Zipline Park, the Ekstremsportveko extreme sport festival, parasailing and much more. But he never planned to run a hotel.

‘We felt a calling to develop the site so that more people could enjoy this wonderful place. We have always said that we would never get into accommodation, since we want to be able to go home in the evening and not think about work 24 hours a day!’ Solbakk continues.

A calling

A few years ago, Frode and the Voss Active gang sat and looked out over the area outside the rafting centre, at the mouth of Lundarvatnet lake.

‘It struck us how incredibly beautiful this area was. We had been making it attractive, tidied it up, cut down some trees and made a small park. We simply thought the area was too nice to use for a private residence or ordinary business and industry. We felt a sort of calling to develop it so that more people could enjoy this wonderful place.’

At the same time, Solbakk and Voss Active felt they had just about had their fill of rafting and climbing, and they needed something different to secure a healthy bottom line.

Unique and exclusive

‘We discussed all the types of accommodation we could think of, and came to the conclusion that Voss offers most of them, from camping and hostels to historic hotels and large modern hotels. The only thing we didn’t have in Voss was a small design, boutique and landscape hotel, which focused on offering an exclusive and unique experience. We also realised that there was an increasing demand for such unique accommodation internationally,’ says Solbakk.

Solbakk mentions Juvet Landskapshotell in Valldal as an example of the type of hotel they were after, while also wanting to do things a little differently with Elva:

‘Many of the exclusive landscape hotels are far out in nature, where there’s a long way to everything. We wanted to create our own niche and combine the exclusive nature experience with activities such as rafting, the High Rope & Zipline Park, and partners such as the skydiving club, VossVind and the Ekstremsportveko festival. We believe that this combination makes us unique in the global context, and we have already had many enthusiastic international travel agents visiting who say the same.’

Fine dining with local ingredients

Hotel manager Jeanette Lillås has previously run the brewery Voss Bryggeri and is now ready for new challenges at Elva Hotel.

‘I’m still amazed when I enter the hotel, and the view from the hotel rooms makes you feel as if you’re soaring over the water! It’s really motivating to be a part of something so special. After all, with fourteen rooms and 42 beds, this is a small and exclusive hotel. That means there’s time to provide proper follow-up and service. I love talking to people, going the extra mile and creating a nice atmosphere,’ says Lillås.

In addition to the scenery and activities, the hotel focuses on fine dining made from local ingredients, which is perfect for Lillås.

‘It’s always been important to me to work closely with local producers. At Elva Hotel we offer fine dining with ingredients sourced locally and from the region as far as possible. On weekdays we will have a three-course dinner, and on weekends there will be a seven-course tasting menu,’ says Lillås.

In vogue

Kristoffer Furstenberg is Chief Communications Officer in Fjord Norway, and he is convinced that Elva Hotel will be important for Voss and the region:

‘We’re seeing a trend where more and more people are keen to visit unique places to stay. This is in vogue internationally, and projects such as Elva Hotel can make a big difference for Voss and the entire region,’ says Furstenberg.

‘When someone does something exciting, it has ripple effects. Here’s a good example: A Lonely Planet journalist recently visited Western Norway because The Bolder, the spectacular lodges by the Lysefjord, had caught his attention. He ended up writing a story about his entire trip from Stavanger to Bergen. This way, a hotel in Ryfylke contributed to international publicity for the whole region,’ he tells us.

The Chief Communications Officer believes that the combination of exclusive accommodation, culinary experiences and activities can be something that gives guests an extra special experience:

‘After all, Elva will not only be a hotel, but something much more, because it is so closely linked to all the experiences and activities Voss has to offer. Also, the location is very special: It’s more than “a room with a view” — it’s almost as if you’re living on the river. I think that the overall experience will be very special for those who stay here,’ says Furstenberg.