In a remote Norwegian valley lies Juvet Landscape Hotel, an architectural masterpiece that lets nature do the talking, writes Olivia Palamountain

HOTEL

Juvet Landscape Hotel, which opened in 2008 on a private estate in Norway's midwest, must be experienced to be believed. A wonderland where modernist glass boxes float above rock and river, it represents a radical rethinking of the hotel experience – precisely why Globetrender has chosen it as the location of its first Ideation Retreat, an exclusive travel industry think tank taking place from April 30 to May 3, 2025).

Founder Knut Slinning, who had no previous hospitality experience when he ventured into the business, collaborated with architects Jensen & Skodvin to realise his vision. Their solution uses glass walls and elevated structures that minimise impact on the landscape while offering uninterrupted views of the Valldal's dramatic scenery.

The architects' restraint is evident in the hotel's minimal footprint and natural materials, effectively creating inhabited viewing platforms in the wilderness. This innovative approach has since garnered international attention, with the property featuring as a filming location for both Ex Machina and Succession.

LOCATION

Two hours from Ålesund airport on Norway's Fjord Route, Juvet claims a remarkable position where the Valldøla River carves through valley.

ETHOS

Juvet's glass-walled cabins, perched strategically around the estate, represent a rethinking of luxury accommodation. Rather than traditional opulence, the hotel offers immersion in nature, with each cabin positioned to frame specific views while minimising environmental impact.

The property's commitment to its setting extends from its locally-sourced building materials to seasonal Norwegian cuisine, served at a communal table.

GUEST PERSONAS

Juvet draws a distinct crowd: design enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers seeking understated luxury. While couples value its romantic isolation and creatives appreciate its meditative spaces, the property isn't suited to those expecting extensive amenities or family-focused activities. Its minimalist approach attracts guests who prioritise environmental consciousness and architectural innovation over traditional hotel comforts.

INTERIOR DESIGN

Juvet's interiors respond directly to their dramatic setting, with locally sourced wood and stone echoing the landscape's raw materials. Though minimalist, with clean lines and neutral tones, each cabin offers essential luxuries: plush bedding, warm lighting and heated floors counter Norway's winter chill.This mood of Scandi-noir contrasts with the property's social heart: an 18th-century barn converted into a candlelit communal space. Here, sheepskin-draped antique furniture and flickering candles - lit even during winter days - create an atmospheric setting for shared meals. The historic building, which also houses the hotel's offices and kitchens, offers a cosy counterpoint to the cabins' architectural minimalism.

ACCOMMODATION

Landscape Rooms
Seven standalone cabins, each uniquely positioned, offer an immersive experience through minimalist design. Glass walls create panoramic river or woodland views, while creature comforts include sumptuous bedding and heated floors. The stark architecture has an almost monastic beauty that enhances the connection with nature.The Bird Houses
Inspired by traditional Norwegian food storage huts, two eight-square-metre cabins perch on the mountainside. Despite their compact size, each features a queen-size bed, sofa bench and basic bathroom. Floor-to-ceiling windows position guests centimetres from the rock face, while smaller openings offer glimpses of wilderness. Though bathrooms have only handheld showers, guests can use the main Bathhouse.The Writer's Lodge
A generous woodland chalet with additional space for stays of two nights or more. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the valley, river and mountains, while the forest-facing aspect reveals birch and pine trees emerging from moss and blueberry heather. The two-bedroom lodge (one double, one twin) includes a living room, kitchen and forest-facing patio.Rather than traditional minibars, local snacks and drinks are available on request, with guests encouraged to join communal meals in the main house.

DINING

Meals are served communally in the candlelit, wooden farmhouse, where the kitchen celebrates Nordic cuisine with daily-changing menus. The seasonal offerings range from local duck and freshly caught salmon to traditional whale and smoked trout with dill cream, while autumn brings wild chanterelles and berries. The shared format and absence of room service encourages guests to gather for long, sociable meals in the atmospheric barn.
There isn’t a traditional bar, however the team can whip up classic cocktails and mixers – think Negronis or Gin and Tonic, made with local berry gin. Over dinner, a curated selection of wines and local aquavit is offered, alongside Norwegian craft beers and herbal teas sourced from the region.

WELLNESS FACILITIES

Juvet'a spa facilities, though modest, are memorable. Wellness offerings centre on its striking riverside sauna and wood-fired outdoor hot tubs, both featuring panoramic views of the Valldøla River. The simple yet atmospheric facilities reflect Nordic traditions - guests can alternate between hot soaks and bracing river plunges, or simply watch snow fall - or the sun set - through floor-to-ceiling windows.While there's no formal treatment menu, the setting naturally encourages meditation and yoga (a local instructor can be arranged to host private classes on request) , with the sound of rushing water and birdsong providing a backdrop for quiet contemplation.

WHERE TO WORK

Juvet balances its retreat atmosphere with practical workspaces. A grand conference room with an open fireplace provides a dramatic setting for meetings, while the main lodge offers communal tables and reliable wifi. Though the glass-walled cabins aren't designed as offices, their minimal interiors and natural light make them suitable for creative work.

STANDOUT INNOVATIONS & ECO CREDENTIALS

In an era of increasingly theatrical luxury hotels, Juvet offers a radical alternative: artfully positioned glass boxes in raw Norwegian wilderness, where the drama comes entirely from the view. The architects' masterful concept - letting nature dwarf design - makes most other "eco-resorts" look overwrought by comparison.The environmental ethos begins with the architecture: cabins perch on stilts to minimise ground disturbance, while modular construction reduced building waste. Local materials dominate, from Norwegian timber to stone, and the glass walls maximise natural light while precise insulation keeps heat in. Even the paths between buildings follow natural contours, preserving the protected setting.The kitchens extend this commitment, sourcing ingredients from nearby producers and turning regional produce and foraged ingredients into seasonal menus.

SERVICE 

Juvet's approach to hospitality is as carefully considered as its architecture: invisible yet ever-present. Staff appear exactly when needed, then melt away, allowing nature to remain the focus. This low-intervention philosophy extends from check-in to dining, where meals appear at precisely the right moment in the candlelit barn, and local expertise is offered without fuss - whether it's directions to hidden hiking trails or the best spots for Northern Lights viewing.There's no hovering service or unnecessary ceremony; instead, the small family-led team (general manager, Kristina, is the daughter of founder, Knut), anticipates needs quietly, adjusting meal times or arranging activities with minimal discussion. It's an approach that proves luxury can be found in absence - of unnecessary intervention, of constant attention - leaving guests free to experience this special place in perfect solitude.

VERDICT

First impressions of Juvet are purposefully unsettling - glass boxes balanced improbably above wilderness, walls reflecting moss, pines and tumbling water. The architecture demands a reset of expectations: this is neither traditional Nordic lodge nor conventional high-end hotel.

My stay in a Landscape Cabin offered an ever-changing dialogue with nature. Morning brought mist rising from the Valldøla River, while afternoon light caught ancient rock faces centimetres from my window. The minimal interior - simply bed, chair, bathroom - made perfect sense; anything more would compete with life beyond the glass.I loved the contrast of this minimalism with meals spent in the barn, sharing tales and time with the other guests over excellent food and wine, or unwinding in the surreal riverside sauna and alfresco hot tub.Juvet's real mastery lies in what it strips away rather than what it provides. By removing traditional hotel distractions, it creates space for something more profound: the chance to sit in perfect stillness, watching nature's slow dance through walls that seem to dissolve the boundary between inside and out. In an age of increasingly ostentatious luxury, Juvet offers something genuinely radical: less.

PRICE

Rooms start at approximately 3,500 NOK per night (about £250), inclusive of breakfast and dinner (alcohol is charged separately). Considering the unique experience, the price is a steal. For more information on Norwegian getaways or to book the hotel, contact expert travel facilitators, Up Norway.