Hotel Finse 1222 sits at the highest point of the Bergen Railway, 1,222 meters above sea level, with no road and only a train line connecting it to the outside world. This review covers what it’s actually like to stay there, how the price compares to what you get, and why the 2020 renovation by architecture firm Snøhetta transformed the interiors while leaving the historic character intact. The information draws from the official tourism board, the hotel’s own facilities list, Snøhetta’s project page, and aggregated guest reviews spanning 2022–2026.
Last checked: 2026-06-07
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Elevation: 1,222 meters (4,009 feet) · Location: On the Bergen Railway, above Finse, Norway · Room count: 45 rooms · Architect: Sn\u00f8hetta (modern extension) · Famous for: Star Wars filming, Rallarvegen cycling, remote setting
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-07.
Sources reviewed: official tourism board website, architecture firm project page, TripAdvisor guest reviews, independent travel blog review, editorial magazine feature, and the regional tourism operator listing.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent price verification beyond published rates were conducted.
Snapshot: Hotel Finse 1222
- 1,222 meters above sea level at the highest point of the Bergen Railway (Visit Voss)
- 45 rooms with roughly 109–112 beds (Visit Voss)
- Commissioned in 2020 to modernise interiors while preserving historic character (Snøhetta)
- Used as filming location for the ice planet Hoth in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (Archello)
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,222 meters (4,009 feet) |
| Location | On the Bergen Railway, above Finse |
| Room count | 45 rooms |
| Architect (modern extension) | Snøhetta |
| Famous for | Star Wars filming, Rallarvegen cycling, remote setting |
Is it expensive to stay at Hotel Finse 1222?
A standard room at Hotel Finse 1222 typically costs around USD 325 per night, according to a 2025 blog review that included a three-course dinner, breakfast buffet, and a packed lunch in that rate (Trip Well Nutrition). That figure aligns with the Norwegian price level for mountain hotels with full board. The hotel’s own restaurant focuses on locally sourced food, and most guests rely on those meals because there is no grocery store in Finse (Visit Voss).
Price range for a standard room
Official rack rates are not published on the tourism board listing, but the blogger-reported rate of approximately USD 325 per night is the most concrete publicly available figure for a standard double room with the meal package. Rates may vary by season, with winter (November to June) and summer (July to September) having distinct pricing structures (Visit Voss).
Cost of food and drink on-site
Norwegian price levels mean a pint of beer in the bar likely costs between NOK 80 and NOK 120 (roughly USD 8–12). The hotel’s semi-inclusive packages include a three-course dinner and breakfast, which mitigates the cost of eating out. Guests who choose the standard rate without meals would face restaurant prices typical of remote Norwegian mountain lodges.
How do I get to Hotel Finse 1222?
Finse has no road access. Hotel Finse 1222 is only reachable by train on the Bergen Railway from Voss (about 1 hour 20 minutes), Bergen (about 2 hours 30 minutes), or Oslo (about 4 hours 30 minutes) (Visit Voss). The train station is a two-minute walk from the hotel entrance.
Train from Oslo
The Oslo–Bergen line passes through Finse as part of the cross-country route. Direct trains run several times daily in each direction, though schedules vary by season. The journey from Oslo Central Station to Finse takes around 4 hours 15 minutes on express services.
Train from Bergen
From Bergen, the ride to Finse is about 2 hours 15 minutes. The route climbs steadily through the high-mountain plateau, and the Finse stop is announced as the highest station on the line.
Accessibility by foot from Finse station
Guests exit the train onto the platform and walk along a short paved path to the hotel entrance. Snow and ice can make the path slick in winter months (November to June). The hotel operates ski and bike rental on-site, so bringing your own equipment is optional (Visit Voss).
What makes Finse 1222 famous?
Three distinct factors give Hotel Finse 1222 a reputation beyond its railway history: its role as a filming location for Star Wars, its position on the Rallarvegen cycling route, and its modern architectural renovation by Snøhetta.
Star Wars filming location
The Finse area served as the ice planet Hoth in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, filmed in 1979 (Archello). The hotel itself was not the primary set, but the surrounding snowfields and glaciers stood in for the Rebel base exteriors. This connection drives a small but steady stream of film enthusiasts, especially during winter months when snow cover is reliable.
Rallarvegen cycling route
Rallarvegen, a 82-kilometre cycling and hiking route from Finse to Flåm, passes directly through Finse and is one of Norway’s most popular summer cycling destinations. Hotel Finse 1222 serves as a classic start point for riders cycling downhill towards the Aurlandsfjord (Trip Well Nutrition). The route is fully open from July to September.
Snøhetta architecture
In 2020, the architecture firm Snøhetta was commissioned to renovate the hotel’s interiors and public areas while preserving the original 1906 mountain lodge character (Snøhetta). The renovation added modern wood-panelled furniture, updated guest bathrooms, and expanded the bar and lounge without altering the historic facade. The project page describes the brief as “modernising interiors while preserving the hotel’s historic soul.”
“Hotel Finse 1222 is more than just a hotel – it’s a living chapter of Norwegian history.”
— Fjord Tours editorial description
Does Hotel Finse 1222 have good reviews?
TripAdvisor reviews (updated 2026) consistently describe the hotel as clean, comfortable, and well-run, with particular praise for the food quality and the young, service-minded staff (TripAdvisor). Multiple guests across the 2022–2026 review period single out the three-course dinner and the packed lunch as high points. A minority of reviewers note that room standards are relatively simple compared to the price point — compact sizes and basic furnishings in standard categories — but most describe the experience as satisfying given the remote location.
TripAdvisor reviews (Updated 2026)
As of April 2026, the hotel holds a rating above 4 out of 5 stars, with the majority of reviews falling in the “Excellent” and “Very Good” categories. Recurring themes in positive reviews include: “cosy atmosphere”, “excellent dinner”, “helpful staff”, and “unique location.”
Guest satisfaction on service and food
Online reviews emphasise that the service team is young and hospitable, and that the food quality is “very good.” A 2025 guest noted that the dinner was the highlight of their stay, describing it as “a three-course meal that felt like a celebration of local ingredients.”
Where to Stay in Finse to Bike Rallarvegen
Hotel Finse 1222 is the only conventional hotel option for travellers who want private rooms and full restaurant service (Trip Well Nutrition). The other accommodation in Finse is a DNT (Norwegian Trekking Association) cabin offering simpler, self-service rooms for more budget-minded and self-sufficient travellers. For cyclists on the Rallarvegen route, the hotel’s semi-inclusive package that includes a packed lunch is particularly convenient — guests can collect it at breakfast and carry it on the bike down to Flåm.
Why Hotel Finse 1222 is the premier choice for cyclists
The hotel operates a bike rental shop on-site and arranges luggage transport for cyclists who want to ride downhill without carrying all their bags. The packed lunch service is standard on most packages, saving the need to buy supplies in advance (Trip Well Nutrition).
What famous films were shot at Finse?
Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1979) filmed its Hoth exteriors in the snowfields around Finse (Archello). This is the only major Hollywood production known to have shot in the area. The film connection is cited by the regional tourism operator Fjord Tours as part of the hotel’s marketing appeal.
Other films shot at Finse
No other major feature films are documented as having used Finse as a location. The Star Wars association remains the primary film-related draw for guests.
“Hotel Finse 1222 – where the past meets the peaks.”
— Scan Magazine headline
Hotel Finse 1222 location and accessibility
The property sits between Hardangervidda National Park and Hallingskarvet National Park, with views toward the Hardangerjøkulen glacier from many guest rooms and common areas (Visit Voss). The near-total absence of road traffic and the presence of only a train station, two bike shops, a public restroom, and two hotels make Finse one of the quietest inhabited locations in Norway.
Altitude above sea level
1,222 meters is the confirmed elevation, making Hotel Finse 1222 one of the highest hotels in Northern Europe (Scan Magazine).
Distance from Oslo and Bergen
The hotel is roughly equidistant between the two cities by rail: about 340 kilometres from Oslo and 260 kilometres from Bergen along the Bergen Railway line.
Walkability and nearby attractions
Finse village can be walked end-to-end in under 15 minutes. The main attractions are the glacier viewpoints (accessible via guided ski tours in winter or hiking trails in summer) and the national park borders, reachable directly from the hotel’s doorstep.
Alternatives to Hotel Finse 1222
For travellers who want private rooms and full-service dining, the only direct alternative in Finse itself is the DNT cabin (self-service, communal, budget). Beyond Finse, two other remote mountain hotels in Norway offer a similar combination of historic character and dramatic high-altitude setting:
- Rjukan Hotel (Telemark): A historic mountain hotel at the base of Gaustatoppen mountain, with road access and year-round operation. Rates typically lower than Finse 1222, but lacks the Star Wars connection and the rail-only access novelty.
- Krossobanen Hotel (Rjukan): A cable-car-accessible hotel perched on the mountainside above Rjukan, offering views over the valley. Also road-accessible from the town centre below.
Both alternatives require road access and lack the unique train-only arrival that defines the Finse experience.
Our pick: Who should book Hotel Finse 1222?
Hotel Finse 1222 works best for three specific traveller types: cyclists riding the Rallarvegen route who want a seamless start with luggage transport and packed lunches; film enthusiasts drawn to the Star Wars Hoth connection; and adventure travellers seeking a genuinely isolated high-mountain stay with guided glacier access, ski touring, or hiking. For these groups, the combination of train-only access, the 2020 Snøhetta renovation, and the all-inclusive meal package creates a distinctive overnight experience that the available alternatives in Norway do not replicate.
Travellers who value budget over uniqueness should choose the DNT cabin. Those who need in-room televisions or extensive nightlife should look elsewhere.
Related reading: Forest Side Hotel Review: Michelin-Starred Lake District Retreat · Beck Hall Review: England’s First Vegan Hotel in Yorkshire Dales
Frequently asked questions
How much is a pint in Norway at Hotel Finse 1222?
A pint of beer at Hotel Finse 1222 likely costs between NOK 80 and NOK 120 (approximately USD 8–12), reflecting standard Norwegian bar prices at remote mountain hotels. The semi-inclusive meal packages do not include alcohol.
What is the 3 percent rule in Norway?
Norway imposes a 25% VAT on most goods and services, not a 3% rule. The “3 percent rule” may refer to the annual adjustment of pension payments or tax brackets; it is not a travel-related regulation relevant to hotel bookings.
How long is the train from Oslo to Flåm?
The Oslo–Flåm train journey takes approximately 5 hours, including a change at Myrdal to the Flåm Railway. Direct Oslo–Myrdal express trains complete the first leg in about 4 hours.
Does Hotel Finse 1222 have a restaurant?
Yes. Hotel Finse 1222 operates a restaurant focused on locally sourced food, serving three-course dinners and a substantial breakfast buffet. Cyclists can also request a packed lunch to take on the Rallarvegen route (Visit Voss).
Is Hotel Finse 1222 open year-round?
As of April 2026, the hotel operates a winter season (November to June) and a summer season (July to September). From 2026 it is scheduled to transition to year-round operation (Visit Voss).
What makes the architecture of Hotel Finse 1222 special?
Architecture firm Snøhetta was commissioned in 2020 to renovate the interiors and common areas while preserving the original 1906 mountain lodge character. The design adds modern wood-panelled furniture, updated bathrooms, and an expanded bar and lounge without altering the historic facade (Snøhetta).
Sources cited
- Visit Voss – official tourism board page for Hotel Finse 1222
- Snøhetta – Hotel Finse 1222 project page
- Archello – Hotel Finse 1222 project page
- Scan Magazine – editorial feature on Hotel Finse 1222
- Trip Well Nutrition – review of Hotel Finse 1222 as a Rallarvegen base
- TripAdvisor – Hotel Finse 1222 guest reviews
- Fjord Tours – Hotel Finse 1222 listing