Hotel Union Øye

Hotel Union Øye stands at the head of the Norangsfjord in the tiny hamlet of Øye, Sunnmøre, roughly 90 kilometres from Ålesund via the Ørnevegen mountain road. The approach itself — through hairpin bends and past glacier-carved peaks — sets the tone for an arrival at one of Norway's most storied country hotels. The building opened in 1891 as a destination for European aristocrats and adventurers, and its guest book includes Kaiser Wilhelm II, Roald Amundsen, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, and Arthur Conan Doyle. The hotel has been painstakingly maintained and restored by its current owners; all 27 rooms retain their original antique brass beds, carved wooden wardrobes, Persian rugs, and four-poster frames. Each room is named after a former royal or celebrated guest. Modern comforts — en-suite bathrooms and central heating — have been integrated discreetly, preserving the late 19th-century atmosphere throughout. The candlelit dining room serves a fixed four-course Norwegian menu each evening, built around local fish and shellfish from the fjord, game from the surrounding mountains, and seasonal produce from nearby smallholdings; wine pairings are arranged by the sommelier. Afternoon tea is served daily in the salon, with open sandwiches and homemade pastries. The hotel organises glacier hikes, kayaking on the Hjørundfjord, horse-drawn carriage rides, and boat excursions for guests. Given its remote location and very limited room count, advance reservations — often months ahead in summer — are essential.