Stay here for one night in late September 2010. Have all the basic facilities you will need for your stay:
* No TV in room (but who need it anyway when you have a million dollar view outside).
* Simple breakfast,
* Self serve coffee and tea all day,
* Owner will pick up & drop off luggage and suitcase from bus stop and boat pier,
* Wi-Fi only work in ground and first floor only
* Hair dryer can be obtained from reception

Smorgasbord dinner at Kvikne hotel (450NOK per person) is expensive but worth the money, start from 6pm, booking recommended (with Kvikne hotel reception).

After breakfast next day, we took a 2 hour walk along the fjord's edge, passing 'swiss' style villas and numerous apple/pear orchards (tasted sour). This is the most enjoyable part before tourists descend on the place.

In summary, the Balestrand Hotel is situated in a good location with wonderful view toward fjord. Its reasonably priced with basic and clean facilities.

Uni Marie and her family operate a lovely small hotel with wonderful views overlooking the Sognefjord. "Splurge" for a fjord side room and enjoy the views from the balcony. Our room was fairly large and well appointed. Quiet too.
The common areas of the hotel are lovely and breakfast is well done.
Uni Marie will cheerfully provide a Treasure Trove of advise pertaining to activities, ferry schedules etc.
Kvikne's is the "Big, grand old hotel down the street with all the tour busses. We enjoyed walking through Kvikne's but were glad we stayed with Uni Marie.
Here's a restaurant recommendation...the Galleri at the ferry dock.

Our family had the pleasure of staying at the Balestrand Hotel, this summer. Balestrand, a quaint little town, is well worth the stop. Much quieter and less touristy than Flam. And a central point to spend more time exploring the fjords.
The hotel is an easy, few minute walk from the dock and Uni Marie and her family are the perfects hosts. Nothing is too much trouble for them. The breakfast buffet was outstanding. The rooms are fairly basic, but very comfortable and clean. And if you are able to get a room on the fjord side, the views are spectacular. You can't go wrong staying here.
I can highly recommend doing the day trip up the Sognefjord to Faederland, the Glacier museum and the two glaciers.

This hotel deserves a great review. The room was clean, the bed very comfortable, the view unreal, and the breakfast outstanding. Our only regret was not staying two nights in Balestrand. Uni Marie was so helpful in helping us get to places, by driving us to the ferry to Vik (at the last minute) or by giving us directions or telling us where to shop. If we return to Balestrand, which we hope to do, we will return to this hotel. The lawn in front of the Hotel is perfect for a relaxing lunch.