Union Øye — Hotel in Ørsta

We stayed at two country house hotels in Norway with the same ownership - the Union Oye and the Storfjord (also reviewed). Arriving at the Union Oye is akin to entering another age. The location is truly stunning- nestled at fjord level amidst 1000+ meter high mountains. The first impressions of the hotel are of gleaming woodwork, a beautiful staircase, a welcoming fire, and numerous dark reception rooms with Victorian antique furniture and leather bound books. In contrast to the generous scale of the public areas, the bedrooms are very small. Pack lightly because there are no closets or chests of drawers. There is a shallow niche by the entry to store your clothes and a few well-placed hooks. Happily the bathrooms are modern and large with excellent showers and deep bathtubs. Our second floor deluxe bedroom faced the mountains to the north and, as a result, was quite dark; presumably the bedrooms across the hall are less gloomy. The quality of housekeeping is excellent- not a trace of dust could be seen on all the woodwork and our room was cleaned expertly twice a day.||The greeting was friendly and the service on the whole was very good, particularly from Emil the “Adventure Concierge” who was an excellent resource for our hikes. A word of warning: Norwegian hikes are not for the faint of heart! Although their altitudes are dwarfed by the Swiss Alps and the Dolomites, the Sunnmøre Alps rise immediately from the fjords, meaning that you are almost always climbing or descending, very rarely traversing level ground or gentle slopes. The trails themselves are not particularly groomed and their relatively short distances are misleading indicators of the effort required to complete them. Not only are the trails very steep, but the footing can be quite treacherous. Having said that, the reward for all the exertion is considerable- breathtaking views of the other peaks and the many fingered fjords stretching into the distance.||The major shortcoming of the Union Oye is significant, particularly because there are no dining alternatives nearby: the food is sadly not good. Breakfast is fine (though getting coffee from the overworked waitresses was a challenge - the Union should adapt the policy of sister hotel Storfjord and have carafes and large mugs available for guests to help themselves). The complimentary flapjacks excellent, but the a la carte menu is extremely limited (three choices of appetizers, entrees, and desserts) and the prix fixe menu choice-less. We dined three times in the a la carte room and stuck to the comforting spaetzle with chanterelles and porcini after having (es)chewed the tough beef. We also tried the prix fixe dinner in the beautiful conservatory where the menu alternates once a week. The food there was pretentious and just bad: tasteless scallop tartar and gluey vichyssoise followed by mediocre venison with terrible smoked potato. The kitchen was very inflexible, offering only the soup or a green salad as an alternative to the scallops for the mollusk-allergic of us. Dessert was an overly rich chocolate mousse creation - and when we asked if we could have a slice of the walnut cake served at tea instead we were told that it was not possible. For a three course dinner costing more than $100 a greater spirit of hospitality would be appreciated…Again emulate...

Had a lovely stay at Union Øye for 3 x nights (couple in our 30’s). We travelled from London via Oslo then a connecting flight via Ørsta-Volda Airport. The drive from the airport to Øye was just over an hour and it’s best to get the ferry via Sæbø which only takes 15mins then once you arrive the other side it takes another 15mins to the hotel. All very easy and a beautiful drive with not many other cars on the road!

The rooms are clean, warm and comfy and perfect to relax in after a day of exploring. Most have baths, but you can request one beforehand to make sure. The restaurant is great also (both dinner and breakfast) and all of the dishes use local produce.

Activities wise, we went towards the end of November when there had been heavy snowfall, so there wasn’t a huge amount to do around the local area as the hikes weren’t accessible / safe. But we managed a few smaller walks when the snow had melted which were incredible in the snow. Speak to the staff if you need recommendations. We rented the sauna which is a 5 min walk from the hotel to the fjord, it’s expensive but we enjoyed jumping in the freezing water and getting back in the hot sauna! We also drove to the Loen Skylift which was an hour or so away. The views are incredible and the pizza in the restaurant was 10/10. The drive through the valleys was amazing also ;)

It was our second time in Norway after visiting Juvet Landscape the year before (which is the best place we have ever stayed) so expectations were high, but we loved every minute of Union Øye and glad we saw a different part of the country. Special thx to the incredible staff who went above and beyond (Thomas, Moses and Eric)

See you again...

Nestled at the very foot of a dramatic fjord, where cascading waterfalls meet snow-capped mountains, lies the enchanting Union Hotel Øye. To say the location is incredible feels like an understatement; it's a truly breathtaking spectacle of nature that will leave you utterly spellbound.

However, the stunning scenery is only half the story. The service at Union Hotel Øye is nothing short of fantastic. Rune and his dedicated staff elevate hospitality to an art form. Not only did they flawlessly fulfill every request, but they seemed to possess an uncanny ability to anticipate our needs before we even voiced them. Their warm and attentive care truly enhanced our stay.

Stepping inside the Union Hotel Øye is like stepping back in time. The hotel exudes a unique and authentic 1880s atmosphere, rich with history and charm. Every detail, from the antique furnishings to the hushed ambiance, contributes to an unforgettable and immersive experience.

Beyond the hotel's captivating allure, the surrounding area offers a wealth of activities. We thoroughly enjoyed invigorating bike rides through the picturesque landscapes, the unique experience of a sauna perched right on the ocean's edge, and tranquil kayaking excursions on the fjord's pristine waters. For those seeking adventure, the breathtaking hikes in the nearby mountains are an absolute must.

If you ever dream of witnessing some of the most dramatic and awe-inspiring nature the world has to offer, coupled with unparalleled service and a truly unique hotel experience, then a stay at Union Hotel Øye is an absolute must. We wholeheartedly recommend it and can't wait for the...