Hotel Finse 1222 ‒ where the past meets the peaks

With an extraordinary history dating back to 1909, Hotel Finse 1222 is one of Europe’s highest altitude hotels. This renowned hotel in the Norwegian mountains welcomes guests to experience the same atmosphere and untouched nature its visitors could enjoy a century ago.

Nestled at the highest point along the Bergen Railway—widely regarded as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys—the mountain village of Finse is home to Hotel Finse 1222, the highest hotel in Northern Europe. Its name reflects its unique altitude of 1222 meters above sea level. Accessible only by train, bicycle, or skis, the hotel offers guests unforgettable experiences amidst pristine natural beauty.

The hotel boasts over 100 years of fascinating history and has welcomed numerous prominent guests, including royalty from several countries, polar adventurers Ernest Shackleton and Fridtjof Nansen, the figure skater and film star Sonja Henie, as well as the cast and crew of Star Wars.

Step into history

Arriving at the charming mountain hotel is like stepping into history. With 45 comfortable bedrooms alongside a welcoming reception area with a bar, a seating area and fireplace, a cosy library, a spacious restaurant offering fantastic views, a large terrace, as well as halls and conference rooms, Hotel Finse 1222 offers a hotel experience like no other.

Renovated during the pandemic, the hotel represents a delightful blend of old and new, with past and present coexisting in perfect harmony. The unique atmosphere has been carefully maintained with antique furniture, preserved wallpaper, and photos dating back to the early 1900s. “You can’t create the kind of soul you find here – you have to preserve it,” says events manager Arne-Kristian Teigland.

Steeped in history and dedicated to honouring its illustrious past, it almost makes sense that the hotel’s events manager is a bona fide polar explorer. In 2023, Teigland reached the South Pole after a 40-day expedition with his friend Kjartan Bergsvåg, a journey inspired by the groundbreaking polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen.

More recently, Teigland returned from a valiant attempt to become the fastest man to reach the South Pole from Hercules Inlet. With the goal of covering 1130 kilometres in less than 22 days alone and unassisted, the endeavour had to be aborted following a dramatic collapse in the unforgiving Arctic landscape.

Safely back at Finse, Teigland hosts special events in Framheim, a replica of the winter hut used by the famed Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen, who led the first expedition to reach the South Pole successfully. “Our replica was built 100 years after the original cabin was erected in Antarctica,” Teigland explains. “The traditional setting is key to bringing the past 150 years of polar history to life for our guests.”

The unique sessions feature fascinating talks on polar history, led by Teigland, while guests can sample food and drinks traditionally consumed by polar adventurers. Every year, the hotel hosts a weekend dedicated to polar history ahead of expedition season, as well as Expedition Finse, a polar festival with a packed programme of events.

Photo: Snøhetta-Ivar Kvaal

Timeless experiences

A huge variety of natural and cultural experiences await in Finse. Located next to the two stunning national parks Hardangervidda and Hallingkarvet as well as Rallarvegen, one of Norway’s best cycling routes, it is the ideal spot for nature lovers. “Finse is hard to find and hard to leave,” says Teigland, who is one of only six permanent residents in Finse. “It’s a truly spectacular destination.”

In the winter, Finse is a paradise for skiing and ski sailing. Guests often visit as part of their training for expeditions to the South Pole, Greenland, or the North Pole. It’s the perfect place for activities like hiking, cycling and glacier walking in warmer months, and guests can rent equipment such as skis and bikes at the hotel.

Hotel Finse 1222 is also renowned for its welcoming restaurant, offering breathtaking views, where the team takes pride in sourcing high-quality, locally grown ingredients. The Hardanger region is famous for its excellent cider, and Hol is known as the Cheese Village due to its dedicated, award-winning cheesemakers. “We take pride in providing authentic, delicious food and drinks served well. We make conscious choices to ensure we have the best quality ingredients,” Teigland says.

With a vast array of cultural events, the hotel has something for everyone, from Finsejazz, Norway’s highest music festival, to a Star Wars pilgrimage. The scenes on the ice planet Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back were filmed in the area, and “Hoth Strikes Back” is a fun annual event welcoming fans to experience the locations used in the famous movie.

Finally, the hotel is a popular destination for conferences and business events and can host groups of up to 100 people. It is also a fabulous venue for weddings, anniversaries, and other special occasions. “A lot of people come here wanting to explore real nature, history, and culture – many of them are looking for an adventure,” Teigland says. “You can get experiences here unlike anywhere else.”

Web: www.hotelfinse1222.no
Facebook: Hotel Finse 1222
Instagram: @hotel_finse_1222