Hindsæter Hotel, Hindsæter

The location of this holiday was certainly miles away from everyday hustle and bustle. It was so nice to have time to relax but still enjoy the activities on offer, with the equipment available to us throughout the week. Each day just disappeared so quickly. The snow covered scenery was spectacular with a mixture of mountains, open hillsides, forest and river and we were lucky enough to see moose and dippers, otter tracks and Siberian jays. The ice canyoning was great fun and being able to experience frozen waterfalls and ice slides was one of the best activities on offer. The guides were especially knowledgeable and we thoroughly enjoyed the snow shoe treks and the night walk. Unfortunately we didn’t see the Northern Lights so a very good excuse to make a return trip. The travel arrangements were easy to follow although we missed out on the full train trip on our outward journey by a freight derailment the previous evening. Luckily we had spectacular weather for the return rail journey at the end of the holiday. The hotel and the staff were good; the standard of food exceptionally high and being able to have a flask filled and the chance to make up a packed lunch from the breakfast buffet was ideal as there was nowhere to buy additional provisions. Overall, a most enjoyable holiday and despite Norway going into lockdown the evening before our homeward departure due to Coronavirus, arrangements went according to plan. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

Magical holiday - perfect in every way, except a day short. Highlights included stunning ice canyoning, a starlit snowshoe walk and outstanding food from the local area, creatively presented - a gourmet treat. Extensive interesting beer and wine cellar with nightly recommendations to complement the menu. The hotel is small, family run and friendly with great staff. Log fires and comfotably seating with great views make it a "hyggelig" place to stay and enjoy a special week. We would not hesitate to recommend the Hindsaeter Hotel to future travellers.

Recommend this holiday to those who love the winter outdoors without being an expert skier. Scenery fantastic. Hotel very friendly and welcoming, food outstanding.

One of the best trips I've had in a long time! The guided tours were very interesting and varied, and outside of the tours there was plenty of time to explore the surrounding landscape by snowshoe or ski. The four-course dinner each night was fantastic and the staff were very helpful and friendly. The ice canyoning was a particular highlight, and the optional extra dogsledding was also fantastic with breathtaking views. As a complete beginner on skis, most of the ski trails were beyond my ability level, so I would recommend at least some previous experience on either alpine or cross-country skis. However, I still had a lot of fun, and the guide gave me extra support and guidance, so don't be put off if you've never skiied before.

This was an excellent holiday with plenty of variety and interest in the activites. The hotel was clean and comfortable and the staff were friendly and helpful. We loved Frost the dog! The food was excellent - particularly the evening meals which were outstandingly good and a real chance to sample some Norwegian specialities.

I cannot praise too highly this winter activities experience at Hindsaeter. The friendliness and competence of all the staff allowed everything to run smoothly. I doubt that I'll ever make anything more than an incompetent skier, but the snowshoe opportunities are amazing, even though we're no longer youngsters... the silence of the forests, wide open mountain expanses, and of course 'the kiosk' with the hot chocolate and waffles after the dogsledding. After a day on the snowshoes, if you preferred time for a snooze rather than recover in the wellness centre, the hot strong shower in the room was a boon. Dinner is an experience of its own. Karola and Andre obviously care very deeply that their food is first class in origin, presentation and above all taste. My sister and I ran out of superlatives ending with sublime! and can't wait to go back next year to experience it all again

Hindsæter: A hotel with local atmosphere and stunning food, though be aware that meals can take up to 2.5 hours. Rooms are small and quite dark with not enough room for two open cases, but the shower was good. There is a lovely lounge with good views but it's cold after dinner. Snow shoeing is great, as is the guided ice canyon walk, but we didn't feel it was a suitable location for beginners' cross country skiing, better for intermediates and experienced. The snow was sadly very poor so we weren't able to ski anyway. The best feature of this trip is that there are a number of activities if the snow isn't good.  There is a great café down the road, otherwise one is dependent on the hotel and there is no free tea or coffee so it's quite expensive. It's also good place to go if you like group activities. However, we preferred both Fefor and Sjusjoen and we will be back to those, whereas we wouldn't return to Hindsæter.

Tromsø: superb! We loved the hotel and its location on the waterfront and the food is very good, with no fuss about it. It's worth pointing out the free supper which is more than enough though they call it 'light'. There is plenty to see in Tromsø and we happily spent five days there. Dan and the Aurora tour are the highlight - we were very lucky as we saw them from the hotel for two nights but Dan took us up into the mountains where we saw a wonderful display. Guests should be aware that the trip can last a long time and I have never been so cold in my life despite the fire and the polar suit. It's worth walking over to the Arctic Cathedral and I loved the concert of northern music in the Tromsø Cathedral.

Inntravel note: These customers enjoyed our Nordic Experience holiday in Hindsæter followed by our Northern Lights Break in Tromsø.

Hindsaeter as a location was ideal, being set in a magnificent landscape which we shared only with the local wildlife, and cross country skiing/snowshoeing literally from the front door. The additional guided trips such as the ice canyoning were very memorable, providing access to sights/activities that we would not have found otherwise. Andre and Carola provided a welcoming and relaxed 'home' for the week - being able to come and go as we pleased meant that we were able to fill our days as we wished, mixing activities and maximising the amount of 'snow time'. The evening sledging was a great laugh - not to be missed! 

Best holiday we have ever had, the food was exceptional and the hotel was brilliant, will definitely return.

We had a wonderful holiday with the best food we have ever had in Norway. Every member of the staff team was friendly and helpful, the equipment was readily available and the included activities were most enjoyable and sometimes challenging.

Skiing turned out not to be for me but the days spent on snowshoes both guided and non guided were great.The visit to Ice canyon is brilliant and we loved the dog sledding. The breakfasts and coffee were good and being able to make up your own lunches from the buffet was great. Overall the hotel and everything else about the holiday were excellent .The only downside for me was the Nouvelle cuisine type dinners but I was in the minority with that. The price of alcohol (approx £45/£50 bottle of wine!) was prohibitive but that's par for the course in Norway.

Experiencing a winter holiday in central Norway in the heart of a wilderness area but with the rustic charm of the cosy Hindsaeter Hotel is so very different from the ski resorts of central Europe.  a really great week.

A very traditional hotel, a stunning location, excellent equipment and organised activities, plus the opportunity to explore the surrounding countryside, combined to make this a fantastic Nordic winter sports experience. We now want to go back and see it in the summer.

The location is really magical - a pristine environment, remote from civilisation. Staff were so friendly and helpful throughout the week. The food and activities were excellent - good mix, clear instructions and plenty of options.

Fantastic taster for proper winter with deep snow everywhere.  Great variety of activities, five days sounded short but we packed a lot in.

This was an extraordinary holiday: the combination of genuine Norwegian hospitality and food, the remarkable setting and amazing array of activities which we had not experienced before made this a wonderful week in a welcoming community.  

The ‘add on‘ stay in Oslo was a great introduction to Norway and definitely enhanced the holiday. There was plenty of daylight (first week in February) for all the activities in Hindsaeter. The ice canyon outing was a real highlight. The staff at Hindsaeter were particularly friendly and helpful and the food excellent (a vegetarian might struggle as the menu is set and always involves meat). A thermos is useful and good snow boots and a small backpack essential. There is a drying room on the ground floor so it was always possible to have damp layers dry by morning