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Svinøya Rorbuer

Svinøya Rorbuer

The Lofoten Islands, Norway

Svinøya Rorbuer

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To create Svinøya Rorbuer, parts of an 1828 Norwegian fishing village have been thoughtfully converted into a snug hotel right on the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean. Because nearby Svolvær is still a thriving fishing community, a stay here is a great way to connect with local culture as you explore the rugged wilds of the Lofoten Islands.

You’ll spend the night in a traditional fishing cabin, called a rorbu. Some of these are original to the settlement and date back to the early 1800s. The clapboard buildings are painted cheerful red with white trim, peaked roofs, and outdoor decks. Many are built right over the water and most offer a view of the sea or mountains.

Inside, you’ll find blonde-wood walls and floors, a well-equipped kitchen, and plenty of windows to let in the sunlight. You can choose from a wide range of options, with just one bedroom all the way up to cabins that sleep eight.

The hotel is just a five-minute stroll over a wooden bridge to the small fishing village of Svolvær, and right in the heart of the archipelago. While you’re here, you can choose from a wide variety of seasonal activities, as well as relax in the floating sauna year-round.

OUR OPINION:

We love the snug cabins and authentic heritage of Svinøya Rorbuer, as well as the water and mountain views from the cabins. The central location also makes it one of the best places to start your exploration of the archipelago.

OUR RATING: Medium

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Photos of Svinøya Rorbuer

  • Restaurant aerial view, Svinøya Rorbuer
    Restaurant aerial view, Svinøya Rorbuer
  • Rorbu bedroom, Svinøya Rorbuer
    Rorbu bedroom, Svinøya Rorbuer
  • Rorbu living area, Svinøya Rorbuer
    Rorbu living area, Svinøya Rorbuer
  • Rorbuer, Svinøya Rorbuer
    Rorbuer, Svinøya Rorbuer
  • Restaurant, Svinøya Rorbuer
    Restaurant, Svinøya Rorbuer

Rooms

The cabins range in size, from snug one-bedroom options suitable for couples to the Rorbusuite XXL+, which can sleep up to eight people. All the clapboard cabins, both newly built and historic, share a similar style, with red-painted exteriors and compact interiors that feature classic Scandinavian touches like pale pine wood, clean lines, and comfortable furniture in a deep shade of blue.

Additionally, each cabin comes with a full kitchen and bathroom with a shower, as well as a private deck. The cabins are spread out like the fishing village it once was, with many built directly over the water.

You can also opt to stay in one of the dozen or so rooms at the Manor House, an 1828 mansion. Decor here recalls the house’s origins, with floral wallpaper, vertical cladding, delicate lace bedcovers, and other vintage touches.

Location

Svinøya Rorbuer sits inside the Arctic Circle in the middle of the Lofoten Islands, making it a convenient base for exploring the archipelago. The nearby village of Svolvær is easy to reach via ferry or airport — from there, it’s a five-minute walk to the hotel.

Food and drink

  • The hotel’s Børsen Spiseri restaurant serves a breakfast buffet as well as a seasonal dinner menu.

Families

  • Plenty of suites have multiple bedrooms.

Facilities and activities

  • Floating sauna.

Accessibility

The many stairs and rugged terrain might make this unsuitable for some guests with mobility issues.

Tour ideas in The Lofoten Islands

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Svinøya Rorbuer as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    The Lofoten Islands and nearby places