I take pride in knowing about some of the coolest accommodation options in Norway, so when I was scrolling through social media and came across a short video from the Hattvika Lodge in Ballstad in the Lofoten Islands, I was in shock that I hadn’t heard about the place.
Upon further investigation (my way of saying I was searching other social media accounts), I realized I did recognize the unique accommodation; I just hadn’t known its name!
Fortunately, I am in the Lofoten Islands for a month and could book a night there and enjoy Hattvika for myself!
Hattvika offers a couple of types of accommodation, including the famous Lofoten rorbuer that you see on postcards.
My next few nights were going to be spent down in Sakrisøy at the rorbuer there, so I opted for one of their newer lodging options. More on that below.
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In this guide, I cover why I fell in love with Hattvika Lodge. I also explain how to book your own stay there and some tips for when you do. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments. Thanks!
About Hattvika Lodge in Ballstad
The Hattvika Lodge is a somewhat ‘newer’ place with much history.
There are a few types of accommodation here, including traditional rorbuer (fishermen cabins), Hattvika Hillside cabins (modern places to stay), and a traditional Lofoten house. I opted to stay in a Hattvika Hillside cabin.
The rorbuer date back to the 1870s but have been remodeled and upgraded to have all the modern amenities one needs for a comfortable and cozy stay in the Lofoten Islands.
Also at Hattvika is a restaurant called Fangst, which is easily one of the best-rated in all of the islands! If your itinerary does not allow you the opportunity to stay at Hattvika Lodge, at least make sure you include Fangst as a food option.
On-site and nearby, you will also find four wellness opportunities: a large sauna, Bendiksenbua (which has its own jacuzzi), a smaller sauna at the main house, and a hot tub.
There are many reasons to book a stay at Hattvika Lodge, and here are some of the top reasons I loved the spot!
1. Hattvika Lodge Feels Like Home
Immediately, when I started communicating with Hattvika after booking my stay, I felt so comfortable and at home.
I was messaging a man named Kristian Bøe, and upon arriving, he was exactly who greeted me and showed me around. It had such a different feel than other places I have stayed, and it all felt so personal.
He showed me the property while telling me a bit about it, including that it has been in his wife’s (Guri Jentoft) family for five generations.
It was so clear to me that Hattvika was a family-run business that included its guests as part of that family. I was immediately gutted to only have one night there!
2. Hattvika Hillside Accommodation = Perfection
I don’t have another word for it, to be honest. It was perfect (minus one small detail that I will mention soon).
I stayed in Hillside #8, and it gave me a view over the Ballstad harbor and to the north (which was great for seeing if the northern lights were out).
When I walked into my home for the night, I was greeted by what little light was left for the day and views that made my jaw drop (with a balcony so that I could enjoy them).
There was a large bed that was the perfect size for couples staying at Hattvika. But it was just me, and it was quite nice having it all to myself!
The bathroom was very large and modern. It also had products from Lofoten Seaweed, which I loved.
Inside the spacious area were two tables that I could move wherever I wanted (which was nice when I headed to the window to sit), a coffeemaker, and a comfortable sitting area right next to the window.
The only tiny thing I would have changed is that my room did not have a kettle and the restaurant was closed that night, so I wasn’t able to make tea or anything else (I had some issues with Solsiden Restaurant in town, which caused me to walk out before getting seated).
Nevertheless, it was the best place to call home for the night, and one I hope to call home again in the future (but hopefully for longer than one night).
3. Breakfast at Hattvika
I have been less than impressed with hotel breakfasts on my last couple of nights away.
On my recent trip to Svalbard, I ran into dreadful breakfasts my entire stay (which is weird as I have loved the Svalbard food situation on other trips there). My place in Svolvær didn’t have breakfast.
But, Hattvika? Well, that was a breakfast for the books.
Let me preface this and say that I love Norwegian breakfasts. I love freshly baked bread and toppings. That is my jam. So, if it is not yours and you’re looking for a Full English, it may not be your cup of tea. But let it!
The breakfast consisted of several options, including gluten-free and vegan options. But, my favorite thing on the entire breakfast bar was the homemade knekkebrød.
Topped with some simple cheese and cucumbers, I was in my simple breakfast heaven.
4. Restaurant Fangst
Hattvika Lodge has a restaurant called Fangst. The word actually means ‘catch’ and if that doesn’t give you a pretty good tip about what some of their offerings are, I don’t know what will!
Unfortunately, I didn’t check the restaurant’s opening times and dates before booking my stay because Fangst was closed on the night I stayed at Hattvika. I was gutted! But I am certain I will return to try out their chef’s menu in the future.
Fangst harvests from the sea and specializes in the freshest ingredients possible. They have a 6-course tasting menu as well as a 3-course menu, and they always have vegetarian and pescetarian options (they must be ordered ahead).
The restaurant is open daily, except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the winter months. Pre-booking a table is advised. You can find out more about their ethos and mission here.
5. Möller’s Taste Depot
Many of you reading know that I used to live in Norway for several years, and one thing that I quickly learned was popular here is tran (cod liver oil).
This famous oil has been used throughout Norwegian history in paint, candles, and even as a supplement. It is jam-packed with Omega-3, and you will see it in every grocery store you go into. And kids grow up on it.
While cod liver oil is an acquired taste for many non-Norwegians, I still encourage you to test it out, and you can do that right at Hattvika.
Möller’s Tran (the most famous brand in Norway) dates back to 1852, and the first stage of its processing takes place right in Ballstad. And as a guest of Hattvika Lodge, you get to taste it for yourself.
You can do so at their Taste Depot, or you can simply give yourself a small taste at breakfast.
Check Hattvika Lodge rates and availability!
Cod liver oil has plenty of health benefits, but I decided to skip it and enjoy whatever benefits coffee has instead (that is my way of saying that ‘tran’ and I never really got off on the right foot).
Nevertheless, it is worth trying a bit since it is such a unique part of Norwegian history and culture.
6. Ballstad is an Excellent Base for Sightseeing
The village of Ballstad (only around 800 people live there) is situated on Vestvågøy and is one of the largest fishing villages in the islands.
And, in my opinion, it makes for an excellent base for exploring the islands.
So many people opt to stay in the Wild West (Reine, etc.), but I think that staying on Vestvågøy allows you to see a bit of everything the islands have to offer while being central to it all.
In Ballstad alone, you have Hattvika and Fangst, Lofoten Diving, the Nonstinden hiking area, the Lofoten Food Studio, and more. You can also go kayaking or snorkeling.
Outside of Ballstad are plenty of other places to visit, like the Lofotr Viking Museum and Leknes (both on the same island), Gimsøy (the most underrated island, in my opinion), and you’re not far from the dramatic landscapes of Moskenes Kommune.
It just really makes a perfect base for exploring!
Hattvika Lodge was, hands down, one of my favorite Lofoten overnight stays. I have been to the islands quite a few times and have stayed at some cool places, but I truly put Hattvika toward the top. And a large part of that was that it just felt like a little slice of home to me.
Let me know if you have any questions about booking a stay at Hattvika Lodge in the comments. Thanks!
More Lofoten Islands Travel Guides
- Best things to do in Henningsvær
- Best things to do in Svolvaer
- Lofoten Islands in the winter
- What to know before visiting Lofoten
- Trollfjord sea eagle safari
- Sakrisøy Rorbuer review
- Best Lofoten rorbuer
- Horseback riding in Gimsoy
- Renting a car in Norway
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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now splits her time between Frankfurt, Germany and Arctic Finland after also living in Norway, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.