Herangtunet Boutique Hotel is a hidden gem in the Valdres region – a timber-clad lodge nestled among pine forests and lakes that feels like a cozy alpine farmhouse, yet each room whisks you to a different world. Run by a Dutch-Norwegian family with a flair for interior design, Herangtunet offers nine themed rooms and suites that are playful and luxurious in equal measure. Stay in the “Paris” suite with Moulin Rouge red drapery and a vintage dressing table, or the “New York” room with urban chic decor and skyline art – or perhaps the romantic “Norwegian Forest” room, paneled in local wood with reindeer motifs. Despite their eclectic styles, all accommodations feature modern comforts (plush beds, rain showers, Nespresso makers) and big picture windows revealing the pristine nature outside. Sustainability and personal touch define the Herangtunet experience. The hotel buildings are historic farm houses that the owners restored using local logs and traditional building methods, preserving an authentic connection to the land. Power is supplied by renewable hydro energy from a nearby river, and the property’s heating comes from efficient heat-pump systems and a cozy wood-fired furnace. The hosts are proud to be off the typical tourist track – here you’ll find quiet, starry nights and clean mountain air, far from crowds. They encourage guests to experience Norwegian outdoor life: the hotel provides complimentary snowshoes and skis in winter to explore powdery forest trails, and canoes and fishing rods in summer for the nearby Heggefjorden lake. You can also book guided excursions, from gentle e-bike rides to challenging summit hikes in Jotunheimen National Park (the “Home of the Giants”) just an hour away. After adventure, the hotel’s petite spa cabin – with a wood-fired sauna and an outdoor hot tub beneath the trees – offers a blissful way to unwind, and is available for private booking. In the evenings, guests gather in the intimate dining room – an old barn with rough-hewn beams and candlelight – for farm-to-table dinners. The owners double as chefs, preparing a set menu that highlights Norwegian ingredients with an international twist: perhaps local trout with French hollandaise, or reindeer fillet with Italian risotto. Produce is sourced from nearby farms whenever possible, and even herbs and edible flowers come from Herangtunet’s own garden in summer. There’s a strong sense of community – the hosts often join guests after dinner around the fireplace for a glass of wine and storytelling. Herangtunet has earned accolades for being one of Norway’s most charming hotels, blending sustainability, style, and soul. Its remote location means light pollution is minimal – guests often enjoy phenomenal views of the Milky Way, and if lucky, the Northern Lights dancing overhead on clear winter nights. Family travelers appreciate that Herangtunet is family-friendly (there’s a two-bedroom suite perfect for parents and kids, plus a playground outside and resident friendly cats), while couples love the seclusion and creative romance of the place. By the time you depart, after a hearty home-cooked breakfast and farewell hugs from the hosts, you’ll understand why Herangtunet translates to “Herang Farm Yard” – it feels like leaving a friend’s country home, full of warmth, character, and the spirit of nature.