The hotel has real character, with a strong sense of history, and an idyllic location.
It is emphatically not like a chain hotel and those who want TV/phone in the room and immaculate decor will be disappointed. But if you want an unusual and charming experience, with friendly service and plenty of peace and quiet, this is a great place to stay.
We had intended to stay in Bergen and could not get rooms. Norheimsund is a 90 min bus trip from Bergen on the 925 bus, which goes every 90 min in the daytime, and stops right outside the hotel. The bus trip is pretty scenic and the Bergen tourist centre will email you a timetable.
Norheimsund is a small town with few facilities. Foodies will be disappointed; the hotel will serve a decent 3 course set menu dinner, but apart from the hotel just a Chinese and Italian restaurant. There are supermarkets. We'd hoped for a boat trip but they weren't on offer while we were there, though we could have spent a whole day on a boat that goes up the fjord and back if we had got up in time for 8.55 start. Seemed to be options for hiking too, though we were just lazy and sat reading and admiring the view.

Imagine waking up and seeing the majestic Harderfjord and Flogefonna glacier from your window or balcony! Best sleep I have ever had. Hotel is wonderful, charming and like a museum! Well worth a stay and perfect location for exploring the fjords of the west coast.

Sandven lies in Norheimsund, along the borders of the Hardangerfjord; the tourist attraction in Western Norway. The hotel license was given by King Oscar I on May 1 1857. Today's main hotel building was built in the Swiss chalet style in 1898 at the harbour of Norheimsund. At the distance the Folgefonna glacier at the other side of the Hardangerfjord complements the scenery.

I have stayed in a room with fjord-view and a large balkony, next door to the Sean Connery and Crown Prince suites. Sean Connery booked once a room in the hotel, but did not show up. Haakon and Mette-Marit, the Norwegian Crown Prince and Princess, did stay at the hotel. The public rooms on the ground floor include the very atmospheric ladies parlour (especially in winter with the fire place burning) and the old banqueting hall. Breathtaking in the banqueting hall are is its rich decorations and stencilled paintings. The food is very nice! As a whole the interior is characterized by classical Norwegian and European antiques, adapted to the flourishing tourist era at the end of the 19th century. The hotel has been redecorated over the past few years, safeguarding the grandeur of the past. It has to be said that some work still needs to be done, but the interior is a pleasure to behold.