Norway’s Best Spa experiences
Here are some of the best places for anyone who loves to relax.
Fantastic The Well
The Well
This spa complex at Sofiemyr in the Municipality of Oppegård east of Oslo boasts 11 pools, 15 saunas, 25 different treatment rooms, gardens, caves, lounges and a restaurant. Altogether, the three-story spa spans 10,500 square meters. And they’ve not skimped on anything. Everything is luxurious, comfortable and magnificent. Naturally, not only can you enjoy all the facilities, you can also take part in “rituals” in the saunas, such as an Aufguss, in which water enriched with natural essential oils is poured onto the heated stones releasing a burst of vapor with health enhancing properties. Pick and choose from a variety of treatments and massages. If you enjoy swimming, you’ll be pleased to learn that both the outdoor and indoor pools are long enough to ensure you get plenty of exercise. If you feel hungry, you can eat in the spa restaurant or simply drink a beer in the lounge in front of the stove. Art lovers can see selected works from investor Stein Erik Hagen’s large art collection. A day here feels like a whole holiday in its own right. If you like the spa but don’t live in Oslo, they’re now building a hotel next to the spa complex.
Sun and sea at Son Spa
Son Spa
This beautiful little village, about a 40-minute drive from Oslo, with its small, white painted houses, is worth a visit in itself. Here, you’ll find a little piece of idyllic south Norway, with many boats moored here in the summer months. At Son Spa, that opened in 2008, you can recharge your batteries and live la dolce vita. The 2,000 square meter spa complex has a pool, sauna, hot and cold springs, outdoor jacuzzi, all with beautiful views over the fjord. Naturally, there’s a choice of treatments for your whole body. Guests can also join group training sessions in the spa. You can do Tai Chi, strength training and pool exercises. To name a few. The restaurant serves everything from crab claws to reindeer. And yes, you can book an overnight stay.
Farris Bad in Larvik
Farris bad
The Farris Bad spa hotel has won several travel industry awards and from Trip Advisor. No surprise, perhaps? The spa is beautifully situated close to the water in Larvik, west of Oslo. Here you can look forward to bathing rituals and treatments that make you feel body beautiful and full of vitality. Totally delightful. If you fancy doing yoga, they also offer yoga sessions every day.The restaurant serves classic Norwegian fayre: Mussels, langoustine, halibut, duck breast from Holte Gård and wonderful Norwegian cheeses for dessert.
Magnificent and luxurious spa in Trondheim
Britannia
The old Britannia Hotel in Trondheim first opened in 1870, but after closing for renovation, reopened in April 2019. The hotel does all it can to ensure guests have a very enjoyable stay. The Britannia spa has a pool, saunas, ice bath, relax room, jacuzzi and exercise room. The treatments menu includes everything from a back massage to a pedicure. The spa also offers treatments for men and children. Don't miss out on the Michelin-starred hotel restaurant headed by Bocuse d’Or medalist Christian André Pettersen.
If you love skiing and mountains
Norefjell Ski & Spa
If you love skiing, you’ll think Norefjell Ski & Spa is heaven. You can ski here all winter and combine speed and snow with fantastic treatments in the spa. If snow is not your thing, you can head straight to the pool or book a massage. Or simply relax. The large panoramic windows will still give you a feeling of being close to nature. You can even enjoy the cold in the outdoor jacuzzi. If you’re not staying at the hotel, you can buy a pass for the spa. PS: The hotel has been crowned Norway’s Leading Spa resort and Norway’s Best Ski Hotel.
Text by Inga Ragnhild Holst