Utne Hotel

Utne is located at the northern tip of the Folgefonna peninsula, where the Hardangerfjord splits into the Gransvinsfjord, Eidfjord and Sørfjord. Utne is one of the oldest farms in this area, and the name Utne is so ancient that scientists can find no explanation for it. Finds from this area date back to the Stone Age, the most interesting being a ship burial from the Viking era. Utne is geographically at the centre of Hardanger region.

The great Nordic war ended in 1720 after 10 years of conflict and costing a significant amount of money. Governmental finances were so poor that King Fredrik IV had to sell the Norwegian rural churches on auction, in order to pay the Norwegian officers due salary. A large number of officers and non-commissioned officers were cut from the army. In order to provide these men with a form of living, without cost to the government, they were allowed to settle in the villages and open inns. They were obliged to build sturdy houses and provide food and drink to travellers. In order to make a living, they were allowed to sell beer and spirits and other goods. One of the conditions for this new way of life was that these inns must not be built in proximity of the churches.
Since its very start in 1722, Utne Hotel has established firm roots in the tradition of providing guests with excellent and caring service, and many famous visitors have found their way to Utne, including P. Chr. Asbjørnsen, Kristoffer Janson, Adolph Tidemand, Ole Bull and Eilif Peterssen.

Visitors still come here today to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, taking things slow and enjoying the peace and quiet in a unique, romantic, personal setting. You will seldom find such an “old-fashioned” atmosphere – it is almost like stepping into the pages of a history book.

Our role as hosts is very important to us, and we take care of our guests as if we had invited them into our own homes.
Utne Hotel has to be experienced. In every nook and cranny, you will find delightful treasures from a time gone by – including a vast collection of old spoons, to a soup tureen which has been handed down over generations for two centuries.

Since the hotel opened in 1722, there has been a number of reverent extensions and refurbishments to the building. The most recent was in the winter of 2004/2005 when the hotel was totally restored. This project was completed in cooperation with the Directorate of Cultural Heritage, in order to preserve the unique, historical features of the hotel.