🏕️ Campinghytte: what's inside and how to choose
Campinghytte are cabins located on campsites: from simple "overnight boxes" to full-fledged mini-houses with a kitchen, bathroom and living room. The format is flexible: convenient for travelling by car, with children, for short trips and long stays. The main idea is the campsite infrastructure (kitchens, laundry, children's areas) and clear rules that save money and time.
📦 What are campinghytte and how do they differ from flats and rorbu
Unlike apartments, campinghytte are integrated into the camping ecosystem: there is a reception, shared kitchens/bathrooms (if the cabin does not have them), laundry facilities, barbecue areas, playgrounds and, often, services for motorhomes. Compared to rorbu, camping cabins are more often located near roads/lakes/fjords with easy access and parking at the door, which is convenient for families and travellers by car. There are three main levels of equipment: basic, standard and "full".
🧰 Types and levels of campinghytte
● Basic — heated accommodation, beds/bunk beds, minimal kitchen area or no kitchen area, shared bathroom on the premises.
● Standard — kitchen in the house (stove/fridge/microwave), dining table, often private bathroom/shower, heating in rooms.
● Full — apartment-style layout: separate bedrooms, living room, full kitchen (oven/dishwasher), 1–2 bathrooms, laundry facilities in the cabin or nearby.
🛏️ Overnight with essentials
- Beds/bunks, heating, lighting
- Mini-kitchen or no kitchen
- Shared shower/toilet on site
- Table/chairs, sockets, shoe dryer
Minimal budget, good for 1–2 nights and hiking routes.
🍽️ Cabin with kitchen
- Kitchen: stove, fridge, basic utensils
- Private bathroom/shower
- Dining area, wardrobes and hangers
- Camp Wi-Fi, room heating
Balance of comfort and price; suitable for families or groups of 3–4.
🏡 Almost an apartment
- Separate bedrooms, living room
- Full kitchen: oven/dishwasher
- 1–2 bathrooms, underfloor heating
- Washing machine in the cabin or nearby
Perfect for long stays and workation.
🍳 What's inside: kitchen, bathroom, heating, small items
In standard and full cottages, you can expect a kitchen with a stove, refrigerator, basic utensils (pots/pans/plates/spoons/knives), and a kettle/coffee maker. Ovens and dishwashers are more common in "full" cottages. The bathroom may be inside the cottage or shared on the premises: pay attention to water pressure and ventilation. Important details: shower curtains/shelves, hooks for wet clothes, a place to dry boots, a mat at the entrance. Heating — electric radiators or underfloor heating; this is especially appreciated in the off-season.
🛏️ Linen: bring your own or rent on site
Practices vary: some places include bed linen and towels, others require you to rent them or bring your own. Check the details: pillowcases, sheets, duvet covers, kitchen towels. Many campsites ask that you do not use sleeping bags on top of the mattress without a sheet. Bed sizes range from single beds (80-90 cm) to double beds (120-160 cm), and there are often bunk beds, which is important for families and groups of friends.
🧼 Cleaning: final cleaning and deposit
Final cleaning may be included, available for an additional fee, or "do-it-yourself according to a checklist." If you choose the do-it-yourself option, pay attention to: floors/bathroom/kitchen/dishes, rubbish removal and sorting, and airing out. Sometimes a deposit is required: it is blocked on your card and returned after the cottage has been checked. Find out the terms and conditions for refunds.
📶 Is it possible to work remotely
Yes, if you check the internet in advance: speed, type of connection (campsite Wi-Fi/fibre optic/DSL), stability in bad weather. Check the location for a table, number of sockets, lighting, background noise (proximity to a playground). As a backup, prepare a 4G/5G mobile hotspot and an extension cord.
👨👩👧 Who benefits most from this format
● Families — parking at the door, a kitchen "just like at home", playgrounds and a laundry room.
● Students and groups of friends — share the cost, cook for yourselves, live close to transport routes.
● Hikers and fishermen — drying rooms, early departures, quiet nights.
● Workation — quiet, internet, space to work and walk after 6 p.m.
📍 Location: fjord, lake or mountains
By the water — beautiful views and breezes, in the mountains — quick access to trails, in "logistical" settlements — shops and petrol stations nearby. If you are travelling with children, appreciate flat paths, fences by the water and proximity to playgrounds. For winter, check the access and parking after snowfall, the possibility of late arrival, and heating.
💸 Budget: what makes up the price
The cost is influenced by: the season and "high weeks", the size of the cottage and the number of guests, the location and view from the windows, included services (linen, cleaning, laundry), paid options (sauna, bed linen, cot rental), as well as the cost of showers/washing machines. To stay within your budget, ask for an estimate in advance: accommodation + cleaning + linen + additional options.
🧮 Cost estimate (for entire stay)
✅ Selection and booking checklist
Gather key information before paying: what amenities are inside the cottage and on the grounds, are linens/towels included, how is the final cleaning arranged, is there a laundry room and how much does laundry cost, how does the Wi-Fi work, where is the parking and how many spaces are there, is late check-in possible, how close are playgrounds/noisy areas.
🛏️ Beds and linen
🍳 Kitchen and utensils
🚿 Bathroom and shower
📶 Internet and workspace
🚗 Parking and check-in
🧼 Final cleaning and deposit
📨 Message to administrator
Hello! We are planning to stay from __ to __, __ persons. 1) Cabin: kitchen inside? Private bathroom? 2) Bed linen and towels: included or rental/bring our own? 3) Final cleaning: included, extra fee, or self-service? 4) Internet: average speed and indoor coverage? 5) Laundry/dryer: how to use and what is the cost? 6) Parking and late arrival: space near the cabin and key box? Thank you! Looking forward to your confirmation.
🧭 Tips for booking and seasonality
For "peak weeks" (summer, holidays), book in advance, especially if you need a "full" cottage. In the off-season, there are more options to choose from and prices are lower. If you are planning an active schedule, choose a cottage near trails/beaches; for a workation, choose one further away from noisy areas (playground, shared kitchen) with reliable internet. For winter, check the access roads, parking and heating.
FAQ
It depends on the campsite: some include bed linen, others require you to rent it or bring your own. Check the contents (sheet, duvet cover, pillowcases) and towels. Sleeping bags are often only allowed if there is a sheet on the mattress.
Sometimes cleaning is included, but often it is offered as an extra charge or "do it yourself according to the checklist". If you clean yourself, you need to wash the dishes, surfaces, bathroom, take out the rubbish and air the room — otherwise you will be charged.
Policies vary: some cottages allow pets, while others do not or charge an extra fee for cleaning. Be sure to notify them in advance and find out where you can walk your pet on the premises.
Yes, if you check the internet and workspace before booking. Find out the speed, type of connection and where the router is located. Ask for photos of the desk/sockets, and look for cabins away from shared kitchens and playgrounds.
In basic cabins, the bathroom is often shared. This saves money, but requires planning: showers may be busy during "prime time". The plus is clean and warm rooms with dryers; the minus is extra trips "outside" in bad weather.
Yes: parking at the door, a kitchen and access to the playground are a convenient combination. Look for cabins with fences by the water, non-slip flooring at the entrance and a high chair/cot. Check the distance to the shop and medical centre.
There are often laundries with coin-operated machines or payment at the reception/in the app. Check the cost of washing/drying and the access schedule, as well as the availability of a drying room for wet boots and suits.
As a rule, parking is provided at the cottage. Late check-in is handled by a code box at the door or instructions from the reception. Check the quiet hours and rules for moving around the territory at night.
Many campsites have designated barbecue areas. Only use the designated areas, be mindful of the wind, and do not leave smouldering coals unattended. Gas barbecues are usually preferable in windy weather.
Final cleaning, linen/towel rental, paid showers and laundry, cot/high chair rental, sauna use, deposit. Request a quote before paying to avoid surprises.
