🌲🪟 Tree houses and glass cabins in the fjords: romance with a view
Tree houses and glass cabins are the perfect place for a romantic getaway. Wake up above the forest, drink coffee with a view of the fjord, and in the evening, gaze at the water through a glass wall that goes from the floor to the ceiling. This guide offers inspiration and practical advice. It explains how the different formats differ, when is the best time to visit Hardanger, Røfjell and Sunnmøre, how to choose a cabin for your needs (e.g. a marriage proposal, a quiet retreat, a workation for two), what to look for when booking during the 'high season' and how to behave respectfully in places where 'the landscape is the main attraction'.
🌳 Treetop cabins: life above the canopy
Elevated on stilts or secured around tree trunks, these cabins offer a rare sense of seclusion and a ‘private forest.’ They often feature an open floor plan, a bed by the window, a kitchenette, a stove/electric heating, and a terrace at canopy level.
What to check in advance:
- Access and safety. Stairs/ramps, railings, weight restrictions, rules for children.
- Bathroom. Inside or in a separate block; showers are not always available, sometimes only at the neighbouring owner's cottage.
- Quiet. The cabins are ‘alive’: the wood may creak in the wind. Earplugs are the solution.
- Microclimate. It is cooler at altitude due to the wind, but there are fewer mosquitoes. Check the heating.
- Internet. More often than not, it is mobile; for calls, ask about the actual speed and availability of an amplifier.
🌲 Treetop Cabin
- “House above the forest” effect, horizontal panorama view.
- May sway or creak slightly in the wind.
- Often mobile internet only — check the speed.
- Bathroom not always inside; ask about shower/hot water.
🪟 Glass Cabin by the Fjord
- Glass wall(s) — maximum light and framing.
- Watch for condensation: ventilation is required.
- Check blackout curtains and privacy from paths/piers.
- Often sauna/hot tub available as an option.
🪟 Panoramic glass cabins: a ‘cinema’ on the fjord
The glass cabins are like a living postcard: waves, ducks, changing skies, fog, and sometimes storms that beautifully ‘paint’ splashes on the glass.
What to look for:
- Window orientation. West — sunsets; east — soft mornings; north/south — even light.
- Blackout. In regions with long days, check the curtains, especially if you plan to sleep in.
- Condensation. When there is a temperature difference, the windows ‘cry’: ask about ventilation and instructions for airing.
- Privacy. Cabins by the water may be close to paths/piers: ask about blinds/films/screen bushes.
- Parking. Sometimes — upstairs, with a path/stairs leading down to the cabin. Check the distance.
📅 When to go: fjord seasons
Spring (late April to June). Orchards in Hardanger are in bloom, evenings are light, and nights are cool. There are fewer people and prices are reasonable, but bring warm layers and a raincoat.
Summer (July to August). Warmer water, boats/kayaks, long daylight hours. These are the ‘high weeks’: book in advance, especially for weekends.
Autumn (September–October). Golden slopes, clear air, cosy by the stove. A great time for romantic photos and tranquillity.
Winter (November–March). Storms, snow on the peaks, cosy evenings in a glass cabin. For treehouses, check the stairs/icing; for glass cabins, check the heating and condensation.
💞 Romantic packages: what is usually offered
- ‘Evening for two’ set. Cheese platter/local delicacies, fresh bread, dessert, candles (often safe LED ones), blanket on the terrace.
- Sauna/hot tub by the water. Ideal at sunset or during rain — the sound of raindrops enhances the atmosphere.
- Decor for the event. Flowers, a card, soft lighting; agree on the time and keys in advance to ensure the surprise is a success.
- Photo shoot. Check the ‘golden’ spots nearby and the rules for drones: the sound and flights may disturb the neighbours.
- Late check-in. Independent check-in with instructions: where to find the key, how to get there, how to get there in the dark.
🔇 Rules of silence and etiquette
- Quiet hours. In the evening and early morning, sound travels through the water and forest. Please respect your neighbours and do not play loud music on the terrace.
- Privacy. Glass cabins offer a view from the inside and outside. Use curtains in the evening, do not point drones at neighbouring windows.
- Fire. Use only permitted devices/areas. Never light open fires on wooden platforms.
- Trails. Walk on marked trails, do not enter utility areas.
- Sorting and water. Separate waste, save hot water/electricity, close windows when leaving.
- Parking. Park your car only in designated areas, do not block the passage.
We pledge to respect silence, the privacy of neighbors, and fire safety rules. Our goal is to leave the place as beautiful as we found it.
🧭 Workshop: booking for ‘peak weeks’
Why it matters. July and part of August are the peak holiday season: demand is higher, and the best cottages are booked in advance. On sunny autumn weekends, the situation is similar in ‘cabin’ locations with top views.
Booking strategy:
- Dates. Aim for weekdays or ‘Sun-Tue’, avoid Fridays.
- Minimum nights. Many places require a 2-3 night stay; plan a long weekend.
- Facilities. Ask for photos of the stove/shower/kitchen, confirmation of blackouts, internet check (if needed).
- Terms. Total cost = night × N + cleaning + bedding/towels + options (sauna/tub/evening set).
- Late check-in. Find out about self-access: code/key, path lighting, parking.
- Road. Check the ‘last mile’: slope, surface, steps; allow extra time in case of rain/snow.
🎒 What to bring
- For sleep and light. Sleep mask, earplugs, soft blanket for the terrace, torch/headlamp.
- For the kitchen. Favourite spices, oil, coffee, reusable containers.
- For water. Thermos flask; it's nice to drink tea in the morning by the glass cabins while looking at the fjord.
- For the weather. Windbreaker, waterproof jacket, warm clothes even in summer.
- For romance. LED candles, music in headphones, a surprise card.
- For technology. Power bank, cables, careful handling of glass surfaces (no suction cups/tape on the windows).
❓FAQ
If you are travelling in summer, they are highly recommended. There is a lot of light in the glass cabin from early morning, and on the west side, the sunset adds ‘last rays’ late in the evening. Ask for confirmation of blackout curtains, and just in case, bring a sleep mask.
There are various options: from parking at the porch to parking at the top with a path/stairs to the water. Check the distance in metres, the terrain (slope or steps), the surface (asphalt/gravel) and the lighting. For ‘steep ground’, four-wheel drive is useful; for stairs — a rucksack instead of a suitcase.
Yes. There is a strict ban on open flames on wooden platforms; only use the devices and areas provided. The wind near the water increases sparking — do not leave the fire unattended and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
Possibly, if there are safe railings, nets and step-free access to the cabin. Always check age restrictions, photos of stairs/terraces and distance to the water. Bring a baby carrier/sling and warm clothes for the evening terrace.
Most often, mobile internet with variable speed. Ask the host for a real speed test during the day and in the evening and check if there is a signal booster. For important calls, have a plan B (a café/information centre at the bottom of the valley) and download offline materials in advance.
Often yes, as an additional option. Check the cost, heating time, safety rules and slot reservations. Ask for a set of towels and drinking water to be prepared.
There are fewer mosquitoes near the water when it is windy, and more in forest locations. Bring repellent and light capes. In the evening, keep the doors closed and use mosquito nets if available.
This is common practice for small locations. This allows hosts to transparently account for labour costs and laundry. Ask for the total cost, including cleaning, bedding/towels and desired options (sauna, ‘evening for two’ set), so there are no surprises.
0 comments
Log in to leave a comment