Norwegian design cabins hanging off a cliff high above Lysefjorden

The Bolder / Forsand / Rogaland / Norway

If there has been a hotel trend lately, at least in Scandinavia, it is cabin hotels. They start to pop up here and there, most often in the really great locations. And then there are some that are just a little bit extra. This is one of those. This is the Bolder Skylodge.

The Bolder journey started back in 2020 and today the hotel consists of 6 cabins located high up on a cliff, rising above the dramatic Lysefjorden, 30 min east of Stavanger in southwest Norway. The architects that were commissioned to create this selection of design-forward cabins are world-renowned Norwegian firm, Snøhetta (which is the firm behind some remarkable buildings around the world, such as the Opera House in Oslo). The cabins were designed to maximize the view and they are suspended on stilts which gives the illusion of floating in the air, almost like they are about to fall off the cliff. A feeling of being weightless.

The exterior of the cabins are made of cedar wood that slowly will turn more and more grey, matching the battered pine trees surrounding the cabins, trees constantly subjected to the rough Norwegian elements. The cabins have 2 floors and windows in all directions, even upwards facing the sky which means that when you are inside the outside is always present. The interior is designed by Danish company Vipp, of pedal-bin fame. They have ventured into kitchens, bathrooms, lamps and it is all on display here.

The idea of Bolder was to have minimal impact on nature and therefore the way to get to the cabins are via corten steel walkways that are lifted off the ground to minimize the foot print. This way everything can be reversed so in the future it will be possible to restore the site if they would decide to close down Bolder, which I for sure hope they will not do so more people get the opportunity to experience this magnificent, truly unique place.

The cabins are hiding high up on a cliff. This is taken from way down below, next to the fjord by my friend Tore with his super camera so the cliff is much taller than it looks.

The view from our lodge of the stunning Lysefjorden.

The cabins are mounted on a stilt which makes it feel like it is floating in mid air.

A must to bring some cozy slippers when going on a “hyttetur”.

The kitchenette is from Danish company Vipp.

Vipp has expanded their business from pedal bins to kitchens and lamps.

Me enjoying some pre-dinner wine (while watching skiing on the telly. When in Norway…)

The sun is setting behind the mountains.

Time to call it a day. It took a loooong time before I could tear myself away from this view and close my eyes.

We slept with the curtains drawn and woke up to this magical sunrise. M went downstairs to make coffee that we drank in bed.

The cabin is surrounded by these tiny, weather beaten pine trees.

M the husband waiting for the sunrise at *Preikestolen*.

M enjoying the rare solitude of this popular sight.

Time to leave the Bolder. We took the ferry across the fjord the morning of our departure as the sun slowly rose.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…love a good view. If you, like me, can sit and stare from a place high up for hours on end, and if you like contemporary small space living with a Norwegian twist, you will love staying at Bolder.

My favorite thing about this place…

…was the bed. There was something so magical about laying in bed watching the sun set and equally magical laying there the next morning with a cup of coffee in hand watching it come back up over the Lysefjord and the mountains.

What not to miss when staying here…

…is to visit, if the weather allows, the world famous Preikestolen, which is only reachable by foot. Another thing to remember is to bring everything you might need for your stay. The closest shop is a good drive away.

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