Walaker Hotel

Walaker Hotel sits in the village of Solvorn on the Sognefjord, and calls itself the oldest family-run hotel in Norway. Its history goes back to the 17th century, and rooms are spread across several of them, from antique-furnished historic rooms to newer wings.

It is a small place of 22 rooms, not a resort. The Michelin Guide gives it Two Keys, and the garden holds lilacs, fruit trees, a rose garden and ponds. This is for couples who want a quiet, characterful fjord village wedding for a small group. One thing to know up front is that the Michelin Guide lists the hotel as not admitting children, so check with the team if little guests are on your list.

Walaker lists weddings among the occasions it hosts, and dinners can seat up to 64 guests, with a festive menu of three, four or five courses. Vows can be said in the garden with the fjord behind you. If the weather turns, the ceremony moves up to the Hayloft, the top floor of the three-storey art gallery in an old barn from the 19th century. Urnes Stave Church, across the fjord by small ferry, is also available for the ceremony. Drinks follow in the garden among the fruit trees and roses. Ask the team whether the whole hotel can be booked for your date, the music curfew and any rules around children.

Rooms are spread across the main house, Tingstova with its historic rooms upstairs, Hagefløyen facing the garden and fjord, and the newer Villa Walaker, so the hotel works best for a small, close group. Larger guest lists should ask the team about nearby places to stay. The hotel lists spring, summer and autumn as its seasons, with June to August the busiest. Across the fjord is Urnes Stave Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, about 15 minutes away by a small ferry that runs every half hour in summer. A cultural trail through Solvorn takes about two hours. Free parking and a shuttle are listed. Sogndal Airport is 35 km away, and Bergen 230 km by road.