Historic Manors & Stately Homes in Norway 🏰✨
Spending the night in a Norwegian manor house is an incredible experience that will transport you to a world of amber chandeliers, creaky floors and leather-scented libraries. Such hotels are often passed down through the generations by the same family for centuries. Word of mouth is the main competitor to booking sites here, and it's no surprise really as there are few rooms, but many who are eager to experience the unique atmosphere of "Nordic Downton Abbey". And that's not all! You'll also get to enjoy candlelit dinners made with produce from the hotel's very own garden, a cuppa on the terrace where the local gentry used to gather, and a stroll through the beautifully kept park overlooking the fjord.
In this article, we will answer 10 frequently asked questions from guests: which estates are in the "top ten" for 2025, how much does a night with half board cost, how does a "manor" differ from a "gods", when is the discount season, and how to organise a wedding for 30 people without a tour operator. We are thrilled to announce that the information has been confirmed by the managers of Utne Hotel, Walaker Hotel, Losby Gods and the Historic Hotels of Norway programme (June 2025). Save the article — prices and special packages are reviewed every three months, so you know you're getting the best deal every time!
How do manors differ from regular hotels and why choose them? 🏡
Historic Manor = a building from the 18th–19th centuries, with at least 75% of the original exterior preserved and interiors restored with artefacts such as tiled stoves, parquet flooring and family portraits. There are few rooms — 10–35 — so the service is personalised: the owner often welcomes guests personally. The manors are located near fjords or in gardens; breakfast is served with silver cutlery. You don't pay for a spa and gym, but for a "living museum" where you can sleep under 4-metre ceilings and listen to the creaking of steps steeped in history.
Top 10 manors and castles in Norway in 2025 🗝️
- Walaker Hotel (Solvorn, 1640)
- Utne Hotel (Hardanger, 1722)
- Losby Gods Manor (Lørenskog, 1850)
- Herangtunet Boutique Hotel (Valdres, 1890 Swiss style)
- Engø Gård (Tjøme, seaside estate)
- Hoel Gård (Mjøsa Lake, farmhouse)
- Bårdshaug Herregård (Orkanger, home of Minister Chr. Thams)
- Dalen Hotel (Telemark, "dragon" modernism, 1894)
- Fru Haugans Hotel (Mosjøen, family estate 1794)
- Lysebu Villa (Oslo-Holmenkollen, 1916 Arts & Crafts)
All are members of Historic Hotels of Norway, with a Booking rating of ≥ 9.0.
How much does a night cost and what is included? 💰
Spring/autumn — €220-260; summer — €280-350; winter (not available everywhere) — €190-220. The price includes a heritage breakfast, 50 Mbps Wi-Fi, and a 30-minute tour of the hotel. Table d'hôte dinner — 3–5 courses, NOK 795–995. Half-board package saves 10–12% compared to paying separately. Children under 5 stay free in existing beds, extra bed — NOK 300.
How to book and get the discount? 📅
The best rooms (Corner Suite, Fjord View) are booked 4-6 months in advance. Book directly: promo codes HERITAGE10 (Walaker) or MANOR15 (Utne, shoulder season). Mid-week (Tue-Thu) is 10% cheaper. Historic Hotels GiftCards are sold during Black Week with a 20% discount and can be used throughout the following year.
How are dinners organised and is formal attire required? 🍷
The dress code is smart casual: jackets are welcome, ties are optional. The menu is fixed and features local products such as gravlaks salmon, Øye lamb and Hardanger apples. Please let us know about any dietary requirements 48 hours in advance, as the kitchens are small. A wine set of three glasses costs NOK 595, and homemade non-alcoholic cider costs NOK 295. At Engø Gård, dinner is served by candlelight in an old barn.
What activities are available on site? 🚣
Kayaking & SUP (Walaker), cider tasting (Utne, Cider House, 700 m away), 18-hole golf club (Losby Gods), fishing on Mjøsa (Hoel Gård), watercolour painting workshop in Dalen Park. Retro bike rental — 100 NOK/day. Guided Heritage Walk included in the Deluxe rate.
Are manors suitable for families and large groups? 👨👩👧👦
Yes. Losby has a 40 m² family room and a playground. Walaker provides a third bed for NOK 350. For groups of 10-25 people, the manors offer "Exclusive Use": the entire house, staff, dinner — from €6,500/night (excluding alcohol). Weddings for up to 60 guests are permitted in the park.
Wedding and event planning 💍
Heritage Wedding package (Utne): 2 nights, 34 guests, 5-course banquet, garden ceremony — from NOK 189,000. Licence to sell alcohol in the house, music curfew at 1 a.m. Photo shoot in traditional bunad — NOK 3,000. Book 12 months in advance, 30% deposit.
Accessibility without a car and parking 🚗
To Walaker: Mannheller–Fodnes ferry + VY 450 bus. Utne: Kinsarvik–Utne ferry. Losby Gods: taxi 25 minutes from Oslo S (~750 NOK). Parking is free; EV charging 11 kW — 100 NOK/day. If you don't have a car, choose Losby or Utne.
How does seasonality affect the experience? 🌸❄️
Summer — gardens in bloom, boats on the fjords; peak prices. May/September — quieter, apple blossom or golden autumn, 15% discounts. Winter: fireplaces, Christmas dinners, but short days; not all manors are open. Check winter road conditions if travelling to Hardanger — mountain passes may be closed.
Staying in a Norwegian manor means immersing yourself in the living history of the country: having breakfast where royal decrees were discussed 200 years ago and dining under the portraits of those who traded timber and spun flax for Europe. Choose a manor to suit your taste — the fjord-side Walaker, the apple-filled Utne or the forest-surrounded Losby Gods — book six months in advance, catch mid-week discounts and don't forget smart casual attire for a candlelit dinner.
Want to share your impressions of your stay? Write a comment — your experience will inspire others to discover the historical gems of Norway! ✨
