If you’re looking to visit Norway’s breathtaking fjords, the provincial town of Ålesund should be your launchpad, with its slew of Art Nouveau buildings hosting Nordic-born restaurants and stores. The best place to stay here is the upscale, but not pretentious, Hotel Brosundet. The 131-key inn is kitted out in a comfy Scandinavian design, employing minimalist spaces, airy high ceilings, wooden floors, and neutral-toned furnishings.
Guests searching for the hotel’s most unique accommodation can book Room 47: Alesund’s Molja Lighthouse. It sits on one of the town’s jetties and glares at the exterior isles and unending sea. The lighthouse’s red and green luminescence ushers the coming and going of ships into the town’s fishing boat-filled harbor. You know we love a thematic suite at Hotels Above Par.
Saunas are a cherished Nordic pastime, no matter the season—so it only makes sense the hotel’s bottom floor is equipped with one. Guests looking for a touch of romance must try the outdoor bath experience come sunset: two separate tubs side by side, suffused with scented soaps, overflowing bubbles, and a Kodak-moment vantage point of Alesund’s main channel, the fairytale-like edifices fringing it, and snow-capped mountains in the distance.
When in a Nordic fishing village, do as the denizens do: eat the catch of the day for lunch and dinner. Seafood-centric meals can be had at cozy onsite brasserie Apotekergata No. 5, and nearby fine-dining establishment Sjøbua (alongside the hotel, both restaurants sit under the wing of Scandinavian boutique hospitality brand 62°NORD).
This goes without saying, but no stay here is complete if you don’t venture out by boat into the nearby fjords via one of the local tour companies.
Top Takeaways
Location: Alesund, Norway
Address: Apotekergata 5, 6004 Ålesund, Norway.
Rating: Four-star
The vibe: Nordic Art Nouveau
Food + Drink: Savor seafood delights at the snug onsite brasserie Apotekergata No. 5, or indulge in gourmet fare at the elegant Sjøbua next door. Both culinary gems are proudly under the wing of the chic Scandinavian boutique brand 62°NORD.
Our favorite thing at the hotel: The outdoor bubble bath experience for two (at sunset, preferably).
Amenities: Fitness center, sauna, restaurants, onsite bar, breakfast buffet
What’s nearby?: Sunnmøre Museu, Atlanterhavsparken, Aksla Viewpoint, Ålesund Harbour
Any personal neighborhood recs? While Alesund is charming (especially if you love doses of Art Nouveau stylings), the natural appeal of the area is the Fjords. Ask the hotel to arrange a boat trip through the area’s water passages or check out this website dedicated to the trade.
Pricing: The starting nightly rate at Hotel Brosundet in Ålesund is approximately $227.
Room count: 131
Closest airport: Ålesund Airport, Vigra (AES)
