About Time: You Stayed at Kilsti Compact Lodge, NorwayBy Iona Goulder
There is nowhere more magical in the world than Norway’s fjordlands. The sweeping mountains and striking fjords both perched side by side is one of the most magical sights in the world, and without a doubt, the perfect place to escape to for a few days of delightful solitude.
It’s no surprise then that a country made up of over 1,700 fjords and nearly as many mountains have become world leaders in cabin and lodge escapes perched on picturesque mountains.
Kilsti Compact Lodge: The Lowdown
The Storfjorden region – a one and a half hour drive from the northern city of Alesund – is home to some of Norway’s most attractive fjords and scenic hikes, and is now home to the architectural gem, Kilsti Compact Lodge.
Perched up high with scenic views worthy of a Bond movie, this collection of four small but perfectly formed lodges and a sauna are not to be missed when visiting Norway. Located on the site of a former farm, each cabin has a panoramic view facing the Storfjord and you will find a mesmerising view from almost every angle of your lodge thanks to the glass walls. The cabins are kitted out with all the amenities of a small apartment and the modern architecture creates a contrast with nature that is Norwegian as nature itself.
Kilsti Compact Lodge: The Accommodation
For anyone with a keen eye for architecture and design, you will be amazed by the striking box-like structures. The clever design makes excellent use of the small space and prioritises the view above all else. Each cabin is 22 sqm and consists of a living room/living room, dining area, well-equipped kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. With glass windows on both sides, on the side and in the bedroom ceiling, you feel as if you are sleeping in the open air. From bed, we star-gazed and caught the beautiful sunrise over the mountains as we woke.
Despite their compact size, the owners of Kilsti have paid keen attention to the detail of the luxuries within. We were immediately struck by the quality of the furnishings; from the beds, duvets and towels all from Svenske Hästens, to the Georg Jensen towels and Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth sound system.
Due to its remote location, we opted for the meal kits, which were waiting for us on arrival. The meal kits provide everything you need to assemble meals with ingredients sourced from local farmers and shops. We lit fires and cooked the delicious fish stew in our meal kit, feeling at one with nature and fully immersed in our private paradise. After dinner, we decided to try out the idyllic sauna with its large glass window facing the fjord. There is no better way to end a day spent hiking in nature than in a sauna like this one.
Kilsti Compact Lodge: What to Do
Not only are the views from Kilsti Compact Lodge spectacular, but the surrounding area is one of deep significance in the country. Only a short drive away is the UNESCO world heritage area Geiranger – Tafjord. A day trip from the lodge to Geiranger offers endless possibilities for hiking, kayaking, e-biking, RIB-boat fjord safari, and more.
We opted for a kayaking experience on Geiranger, which gave us the chance to see the fjord of truly epic proportions from sea level. After lunch in the local town, we decided to hike up to the top of a waterfall behind the Geiranger Visitor Centre. Despite being a non-circular hike, it was well worth the hike to feel as though we’d seen the UNESCO world heritage Geirangerfjord from every angle!
Returning to Kilsti Compact Lodge after days spent hiking, kayaking and exploring in nature makes the experience all the more magical. When you pull into Kilsti, you feel as though you are coming back to your own little slice of paradise. The air is clean and fresh and the views are, without a doubt, some of the most breathtaking on earth.
For more information on Kilsti Compact Lodge, see here.
Kilstivegen 333, 6215 Eidsdal, Norway