Name: Fretheim Hotel
Address: Flåm, Mailbox 63, 5743, Flam, Flam, Flam, 5743, Norway
Rating: 8

24-hour reception

Elevator/lift

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Indoor Fireplace

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Fax machine

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Sauna

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Pets allowed (under 5 kg)

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Sogndal Airport

Fretheim Hotel

Flam

Eerie looking rooms that reminded me of the hotel in the film The Shining. The whole hotel was carpeted that gave both me and my husband sinus allergies. No view whatsoever from the standard rooms and the NY dinner was ridiculously expensive. Repent not going with Flamsbrygga.

Average quality, rooms more like motel. Ridiculously expensive for what you get. Go with Framsbrygga instead.

Brown skinned people - DO NOT STAY HERE

Others - if you think racism is wrong and oppose it, DO NOT STAY HERE on a matter of principle. 

We (me and my wife) arrived at 2pm on 29 dec 2023 and were one of the first people at the reception after the ferry arrived. We were told check in would be at 4pm as the room wasn’t ready. We were also told to check back after some time. As long as they would uniformly implement that rule, it would be fine. But we were surprised to see that almost every single person after us - all white skinned people - were immediately accommodated into their rooms. Their rooms seemed to be ready at 2pm itself! 

We asked the reception staff again at 2.30pm whether our room was ready - response was the same, that the room wasn’t ready. I categorically told them that at least 20 other people after me had been given rooms, how was it that my room wasn’t ready. I received a vague answer that some rooms take time.

The staff was very unfriendly and obviously discriminating against brown skinned people and in favour of white skinned people. How was it that only our room wasn’t ready and we were told to wait till 4pm while all other rooms where white skinned people were staying were ready and they were immediately shown into their rooms.? 

Racism and discrimination is something which is experienced - it has to be necessarily deduced from circumstances. No one will obviously tell me on my face that I’m brown skinned therefore I will get my room at 4pm. But attendant circumstances made it clear what was happening. 

I got so disgusted that I decided not at all to check in to Hotel Fretheim and left without any further interaction. I simply did not want to stay in a racist hotel or have anything to do with racist individuals. I therefore departed from flam on 29 dec itself, without staying the night, instead of my scheduled departure on 30 Dec, choosing not to stay in an unfriendly racist hotel which openly discriminated against brown skinned people.

It’s a shame that even in today’s day and age, after taking our money, some hotels are implementing racism so openly and blatantly. I chose my self respect over money, and this change in schedule costed me a huge amount of money - the extra train ticket for me and my wife, and the price of an additional night for a hotel room in Oslo, and obviously the wastage of money already paid to Hotel Fretheim. 

But I refuse to be treated beneath anyone else, for no reason other than the colour of my skin. Everything which I have said above, can be verified from CCTV cameras (for 29 dec) which I assume would be located in the hotel. 

In Flam, there is a monopoly of just 2 hotels - you may not really have a choice. Better to not stay the night at all at Flam. There are connections to and from Oslo and Bergen and Flam can be a day trip

RACIST HOTEL AND STAFF - DO NOT STAY HERE

This hotel was a pleasant surprise as it was such a nice hotel. Our room was very nice and had plenty of room .  This is a real tourist area and has lots of stores to buy keepsakes. We only spent one night at this hotel and we did not eat at the hotel - we found out later that we should of ate at the hotel as there is not alot of restaurants in this small town. In all we really liked this hotel.

Flam visit

Good views from the room's terrace. The bed was comfortable and the shower was fine.
It has a good breakfast but it was  missing some things the other hotels we've stayed at in Norway had. No cooked vegetables, no "energy shots" and the coffee machines only dispense coffee and hot water - no cappuccino, etc.


Convenient location 

Of all the hotels we visited in Norway, I thought this one was overrated. It is in a great location but it is pricey and not as clean as I would have liked. We had the buffet since there weren't many options for dinner. It was quite expensive for the quality of food. There was a large group dining at the same time that completely overtook the restaurant also. I feel like this hotel takes advantage of tourists by charging far too much for the dinner buffet.

Good location but maybe a pass next time

First: The staff in this hotel is very friendly and I felt very welcome. 
Everything was arranged for in a polite and friendly manner.
I had all my meals in the hotel, and everything was delicate and very good.
Nice wine served on recommendations from the waiter.

Surprisingly good hotel

The hotel location is superb as just a couple of minutes from the harbour and train station. It was extremely quiet - as expected at this time of year - however the staff were friendly and attentive throughout. The room had a balcony with a lovely view but Flam is such a beautiful scenic place everywhere you go is magical. The dinner menu was limited but what they produced was excellent.

Couple Norway Tour

Just had a 2 night stay at this hotel which was great. The hotel is 2 mins from the train, flam is a very small very quiet place this time of year which is fantastic. We eat in the hotel the 1 night & omg the food was out of this world & the breakfast was brilliant, because the hotel was quiet they cooked the breakfast to order. 

There is a lovely fire place in the reception area which is very cosy to warm up & have a drink by.

Cosy hotel

This was a lovely place to stay. We enjoyed the cosy nooks around the hotel to rest and the decor was top notch. This created an amazing chalet/winter/cosy feel. Beds were comfortable and the room was clean. Service was friendly and professional. It is situated in an absolutely stunning backdrop - we were surrounded by snow capped mountains, amazing fjords, and sparkly lights. The Flamsbana RR was a mere 5 minute walk away so that was handy.

While breakfast was really good, dinner was not. Our friend had to return her food to the kitchen due to being uncooked. Others at the table were satisfied so it may have been a one-time thing. It was handled in a very professional manner. We had a snow storm come through during our stay so the pathways were a bit icy - suggest clearing this better so folks do not fall. 

Cosy hotel near Flamsbana

Highly recommend for your next visit to Flam, although there aren’t too many choices in Flam. Room was very nice. Staff extremely hospitable. The breakfast was nice. The buffet dinner was adequate - although again, not too many choices. The bartender recommended quality, local cocktails, which were delicious. Some rooms only have a bathtub (no shower) so make sure to confirm your room and bathroom preference. Our room has a balcony, which we didn’t use. 

Flam is beautiful and we were fortunate to be there without a cruise ship. I understand it gets very crowded when a cruise ship arrives.

Fretheim Hotel

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