Holmen Lofoten — Restaurant in Moskenes

Nothing seemed like it was ready for showtime. The dinner was expensive and kind of a mess. It was understaffed. Halibut was served in 2 courses - one of those courses was ceviche and you could taste how fishy the Halibut was. The cooked halibut was way overcooked to the point that it was almost too chewy to eat.

The room, which was over USD $800+/night, was adequate. The windows had two HUGE bird poop stains, which really detracted from the views, and there was mold/mildew in the bathroom. The windows were propped open by little plastic instruments, and the sauna was electronic (as opposed to wood fired).

The property offered nothing else. We asked for activities, and they basically told us to bug off.

To continue the complaints, the breakfast was a disaster. They were trying a “new concept” for breakfast the day we were there, which we later came to find out was at least partially caused by their not having yogurt for the underbaked granola. Instead, they presented us with sour cream as a substitution for yogurt but didn’t explain that they had done that. So, for the first time in my life, I ate granola with sour cream, which surprisingly is not good. We also asked for and were promised a packed breakfast to go for our departure, which we never received. This, we assume, was for the best. There was no one attending the reception at check out. When you’re paying that much for a room, probably should have someone manning reception for your guests. But, hey, I’m not in the hospitality business!

I’m not sure what else to say other than there’s no reason to eat or stay here. I don’t know where these good reviews are coming from, and I say that with genuine curiosity.

To top it all off, we later in the trip saw one of the waiters/cooks/cocktail maker guys (he wore way too many hats) at the Joker (mass retail convenience store) picking up food products, so I guess there’s a bit of a buyer beware here with where they’re saying the food is from.

Overall, a...

Stylish hotel with scenic views, but lacks practicality

The hotel is undeniably stylish, offering stunning views, a well-regarded restaurant, and friendly staff. However, several aspects of the experience could be improved.

Accessibility and Room Size: The road leading to the hotel is a gravel path, which makes it more suitable for travelers with backpacks rather than those with suitcases. Additionally, the rooms are compact; opening a suitcase can occupy much of the available space, so packing light or using a backpack is advisable.

Dining Experience: The restaurant takes pride in using locally sourced ingredients, which is commendable. However, the portion sizes, especially considering the prices, feel somewhat lacking. Some dishes, such as the reindeer tartar, were overly salted, which detracted from the overall enjoyment of the meal. Furthermore, one of the main dishes (pork) was served cold.

Breakfast Options: While filter coffee is provided at breakfast, the machine coffee is not included, which seems inconsistent for a hotel in this price range.

Overall Impression: While the hotel excels in style and ambiance, it falls short in terms of value for money and practical comforts. It may appeal to those who prioritize aesthetics over functionality, but for longer stays, the limitations become more apparent. A short stay of two nights is manageable, but staying longer might prove...

We enjoyed our stay at the Holmen. We were with a group so we got to see the varied accommodations on offer. We stayed in a second floor room for two. Room was small. Stylish design. IMMACULATELY clean. Hair dryer and kettle with instant coffee. Shower with excellent water pressure. The best accommodation was the two bedroom suite with in bathroom sauna and living room with wood stove; it's where our group congregated for a dance party. The bunk cabin was another spacious accommodation with two full baths, a living room (great for group gathering), kitchen facilities w wood stove, (I think) bunk room for 5, putting a double in the loft would have been a welcome touch. The lounge area above the restaurant was comfortable and the cocktails excellent, utilizing foraged ingredients, and pricey (in line with other Lofoten places). The restaurant was very good for dinner. Breakfast was fixed, no choice. This hotel cannot accommodate anyone with mobility issues. The cold plunge from the lower dock was excellent/ safe. The parking area was up/down a steep gravel hill, and many of the "walkways" are natural rock (like on hiking/ scrambling). Location was excellent for exploring via car. Our group agreed we would definitely stay there again, although we would probably not indulge on the fixed, multi course dinner w drink pairing for more than one night; a la carte would be fine. Service was...