Thon Hotel Sandven & Sjøhuset Restaurant & Pub: Historic stays by the Hardangerfjord
By Thea Johansen | Photos: Thon Hotel Sandven
Set along the edge of the Hardangerfjord, Thon Hotel Sandven offers more than just a place to stay. With its rich heritage, striking location and curated experiences, the hotel has become a destination in its own right. Here, the newly renovated Sjøhuset Restaurant & Pub brings together history, atmosphere and cuisine.
For hotel director Marie Skutlaberg Kjøsnes, the essence of the hotel is rooted in its past. “Guests don’t simply visit – they sit in historic surroundings, capturing the atmosphere,” she explains.
Rather than reshaping the past, the hotel has preserved it. The original buildings have been carefully restored, allowing their details to remain visible and relevant, while newer additions create modern comfort.
Character and history
One of the most special places is the ladies’ salon. It is the kind of room that naturally slows you down, where guests tend to linger a little longer, taking in the details and the sense of history in the walls. As Kjøsnes explains; “Many feel drawn into a completely different world.”
This is where afternoon tea is served, adding a quiet sense of occasion to the setting. Defined by original interiors and carefully considered details, the experience becomes about more than what is on the table. It is less about recreating something from the past, and more about allowing the atmosphere to speak for itself. There is something special about enjoying a warm cup of tea in these surroundings, dining from plates that have been part of the house for generations.
Sjøhuset by the water
Down by the water, Sjøhuset Restaurant & Pub completes the experience. Dating back to 1857, the building has served various purposes over the years before recently being reopened as a restaurant and pub.
Today, it feels like a natural extension of the hotel. The atmosphere is more informal, making it just as relevant for locals as it is for hotel guests. Some stop by for a full meal, others for a drink or a casual evening by the fjord.
The kitchen works with what the region offers. Fish from the fjord, fruit from local farms, and cider from Hardanger all find their way onto the menu. The focus is not on reinventing, but on balancing tradition, local food and flavours that appeal to most tastes. The result is food that feels grounded, thoughtful, and closely connected to its surroundings.
“In the middle of a postcard”
The fjord is not just a view here, it is part of the stay. Just steps from the hotel, the garden opens towards the water, where guests move easily between sitting, swimming and simply taking in the surroundings. On warmer days, it is not unusual to see people jumping straight into the fjord before settling back with a local drink in hand. “Here, guests are sitting in the middle of a postcard,” Kjøsnes says.
From here, the wider Hardanger experience opens up. Guests can explore nearby highlights such as Steinsdalsfossen, join a RIB boat tour on the fjord, or enjoy a family day at Hardangerbadet with tickets gifted by the hotel.
For those looking for a slower pace, experiences such as yoga, sauna sessions and fjord floating are easily accessible. Guests can also take part in the region’s well-known cider culture, either through tastings at local farms or curated experiences hosted at Sjøhuset.
Whether the stay is active or more relaxed, everything is close enough to feel within easy reach, while still allowing the hotel itself to remain a base to return to between experiences.
Space for both small and large occasions
As part of a larger hotel group, Sandven has the capacity to host everything from quiet weekend stays to weddings, conferences and larger gatherings. This flexibility is central, while still maintaining a personal approach. “The idea of creating those golden moments is something the team returns to, regardless of the occasion,” says Kjøsnes.
That might mean adjusting details for a private stay or planning larger events from start to finish. “We do our utmost when we receive a request,” she adds. The experience is built around what guests are looking for in their stay – whether that is rest, activity, or something in between.
A stay that feels considered
In the end, what defines a stay at Sandven is not a single feature, but how everything comes together. The history, the setting, the food, and the service each play their part, without competing for attention. For Kjøsnes, the goal is clear, to give guests “that warm feeling that they have been seen and well taken care of.”
It is a simple ambition, yet one that reflects the hotel as a whole – a place where things are done with care, and where the experience feels both effortless and genuine.
Web: thonhotels.no
Facebook: Sjøhuset Restaurant & Pub
Instagram: @thonhotelsandven
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