Do you want to find out what being on holiday feels like again? Go on a fun weekend getaway with good friends, or a long awaited weekend away for just the two of you.
A holiday together with friends or your loved one is never a bad idea, any time of the year. Haugesund and Ryfylke are two very attractive weekend options for those in need of a hotel break, whether you’re interested in urban life or beautiful scenery.
Take your friends or loved one on a hotel break to Haugesund. The idyllic small town has a compact city vibe in that the marina, delicious food, shop-lined streets, cultural events and other attractive attributes are in walking distance of each other. Wake beside the Smedasundet sound at Quality Hotel Maritim and enjoy the best hotel breakfast in Rogaland county. The hotel houses four of Haugesund’s best restaurants (all under the same roof). Enjoy the town’s cultural diversity, with everything from galleries and museums to dramatic art, stand-up and concerts.
The town centre offers a wide range of clothes and home decor shops of all sizes and price ranges. There are also many niche shops such as Shabby Records, Krimz kramz, Den lille bokbutikken, Formbar Glassverksted, Trendhuset and Crush Concept to name but a few. There is also a shopping centre, Markedet, in the centre of town.
We recommend a breather between beautiful flower beds and the water mirror in the Biblioteksparken library park in the centre, and enjoy a takeaway lunch from one of the nearby restaurants.
If you’re more keen on magnificent scenery, relaxation and unique local culinary experiences, Ryfylke has lots to offer. Ryfylke Fjordhotell og BaseCamp is situated beside the sea in Sand, with views across the marina, fjord and mountains. Enjoy great culinary experiences and an abundance of activities, including fishing, kayaking and hiking to the top of Hellandsnuten. Other recommended excursions include a walk to the centre of Sand, a visit to the Salmon Studio and to the spectacular Høsebrua bridge across Suldalslågen river. There are lots of lovely walks to do in the area around Suldal. You can also combine your stay with a hike to the nearby Preikestolen or Trolltunga Rock.
Ryfylke offers a feast for the taste buds. A visit to Smaken av Ryfylke and its chef Sebastian in Hjelmeland is a highly recommended culinary experience, an impressive restaurant concept accompanied by a beautiful view of the fjord. The restaurant specialises in using local seasonal produce of the highest quality. The menu is composed of numerous small dishes that give guests the opportunity to treat their taste buds to a selection of fantastic flavours. The restaurant uses locally-sourced apple cider, apple juice, fruit and berries, salmon, halibut and local cheese.
Also visit Midtsommar, the only vineyard in Fjord Norway, and the fruitfarms that produce apple cider and juice. Join a guided tour and taste the high-quality products from the farms.
Or just take some time out and enjoy the beautiful scenery around the hotel. A stay at the hotel is suitable for all types of groups, and it is a particularly good base for an active and fun weekend with friends or a romantic getaway. Other accommodation options are also available in the area. If you head for Sandsbygda, beside the salmon river Suldalslågen, you’ll find Mo Laksegard. This old farm now offers charming accommodation for the whole family, with cabins, loft apartments and great fishing opportunities. You can also go on a salmon safari, which makes for a unique experience.
Kløver Hotel has rooms and apartments in the centre of Sauda, innermost in the Saudafjord, and the family-run design hotel Energihotellet is located at Nesflaten in Suldal. The latter was designed by acclaimed architect Geir Grung in the 1960s, and features stylish Norwegian design and architecture, magnificent scenery and a delicious menu made from locally-sourced produce.