Discover Western Norway – Where to Stay and What to Do, Summer and Winter

Thinking about visiting Norway? Read on to find your perfect destination

Meretes Garden is a unique accommodation tucked away in the heart of Western Norway’s fjordlands. With glamping tents, cozy indoor rooms, a Finnish sauna and peaceful surroundings, it offers a rare blend of comfort, raw nature and Nordic simplicity. The perfect base if you’re looking to combine relaxation, nature experiences and a good night’s sleep while travelling. And here’s why it might be just what you’re looking for.

The first decision to make when planning a summer trip to Norway is what kind of experience you’re looking for. In Western Norway – in the region of Møre og Romsdal – you can combine a holiday in Valldal with both wellness and outdoor adventures, when you stay at Meretes Garden.

Here, you’ll find peace, simplicity and comfort – with fjords and mountains just outside your door. Enjoy yoga, sauna, forest walks and glamping in summer, or retreat to cozy rooms in winter. Meretes Garden is open all year, welcoming you in every season. Whether you travel solo, as a couple or with family and kids, this is a place to breathe, rest and reconnect.

Why Travel to Western Norway

Western Norway – and especially the region of Møre og Romsdal – offers some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the world. Towering peaks rise directly from deep fjords. Waterfalls cut through stone and forest. The air is fresh, the light always changing, and the silence has depth.
This isn’t a place you simply visit. It’s a place you feel. A place that stays with you.
But when you travel to a landscape like this, where you stay matters just as much as what you see.

Why Where You Stay Matters

Are you looking for something other than a commercial hotel? Something smaller, quieter – more honest? If you long for authenticity, depth, and space to slow down, then you may be looking for a different kind of experience.
At Meretes Garden, you’ll find something more intimate. A small, soulful retreat designed for presence – not performance. A place where everything invites you to unwind: the rhythm of the valley, the light through the trees, the warmth of the sauna, the simplicity of a shared kitchen, and the lingering calm after a yoga class in the old greenhouse.
Here, you don’t need to impress anyone. You just get to arrive – fully and quietly. Whether you sleep in a glamping tent with real beds and soft lighting, or in a cozy indoor room with mountain views, the experience is designed to feel personal, grounded and human.
There’s no reception desk, no background noise, no polished surface pretending to be something it’s not. Just nature. Quietude. And space to feel at home.
If you’re drawn to travel that nourishes, rather than distracts – Meretes Garden offers a place to land.

Finnish Sauna, Mountain Views – Wellness in Its Purest Form

At Meretes Garden, wellness is more than a concept – it’s a way of life. Our small, modern spa is designed to give you a deep sense of rest and renewal, surrounded by the calm presence of the Norwegian landscape.
Step into the warmth of the Finnish sauna, built with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Cool travel to Norway

Cool off under the open sky with an outdoor shower or simply sit in silence and let your breath soften. The spa is intimate, peaceful, and created in harmony with the environment – offering you space to realign, without distraction.
Whether you come after a long hike, a yoga session, or just to enjoy the stillness, this little sanctuary invites you to listen inward and let your body exhale.

Must See in Valldal – A Place for All Seasons

From dramatic fjords to strawberry fields, Valldal offers nature, calm and adventure in every season.
Each season at Meretes Garden brings its own rhythm, light and presence. No matter when you arrive, nature invites you to shift pace – just in different ways.
Spring awakens the valley with waterfalls, budding trees and the first soft light after a long winter. It’s a time of renewal – perfect for reflection, walks in the forest, and reconnecting with your breath and body.
Summer is full of life. Long, bright days, ripe strawberries, glamping under the stars, and outdoor yoga with the scent of grass and wildflowers in the air. The fjord is calm and clear – ideal for swimming, kayaking or simply watching the light shift on the water.
Autumn brings colour and calm. The mountains glow in red and gold, the air is crisp, and the evenings invite warm tea, sauna and stillness. It’s the perfect season for letting go and turning inward.
Winter wraps the valley in quiet. Snow falls softly on roofs and trees. The spa and indoor spaces offer deep rest and warmth, while hiking through the snow-covered landscape brings a special kind of peace.
Whatever the season, Meretes Garden offers a space to pause – and feel more at home in the world.

About Merete – A Personal Vision, Rooted in the Valley

Meretes Garden is more than a place – it’s a homecoming. After years in Denmark working as a psychotherapist, Merete returned to her childhood valley in Valldal with a simple but powerful vision: to create a retreat rooted in honesty, calm and a deep love of nature.
Here, the focus is not on performance or perfection – but on presence. The retreat has been built slowly and mindfully, with sustainability in every detail and care in every corner. This is a place shaped by hands, not by trends – a place where people can pause, breathe and return to what feels true.

Shared Kitchen, Local Flavours

At Meretes Garden, meals are as simple and honest as the surroundings. Guests share access to a newly built kitchen, fully equipped for slow, soulful cooking. You’re welcome to prepare your own meals – maybe with fresh strawberries from the valley, eggs from the neighbors’ hens, or bread baked earlier that morning.
The kitchen is a space of quiet community – where conversation can happen, or not. Where you can sit by the window with a cup of tea and let the light shift across the mountains.

Getting Here – A Beautiful Journey

The closest airport is Ålesund (AES), with domestic and international connections. From there, it’s a scenic 90-minute drive through fjords and valleys to Valldal. You can rent a car, take the bus via Sjøholt, or book a private transfer – and we’re happy to help you plan your journey.
However you choose to travel, arriving in Valldal feels like entering another rhythm – quieter, slower, deeper.

Who Is This Place For?

Meretes Garden is for those who feel drawn to nature, but don’t want to rush through it. For travelers who value depth over distraction, presence over polish.
Whether you come alone to rest, with a partner to reconnect, or with family to share the quiet, this is a space that welcomes all who seek something genuine. You don’t need to be an experienced yogi or wilderness explorer – just someone who longs to move through the world with more ease.

Retreats and Special Stays

In addition to individual stays, Meretes Garden hosts seasonal retreats and themed gatherings. These range from yoga weekends and mindfulness retreats to slow-living workshops in the colder months. All retreats are small, personal, and shaped by the natural rhythm of the valley.
Want to know what’s coming up? Feel free to get in touch – or sign up for our newsletter and stay connected.

Ready to travel to Norway?

Book your stay at Meretes Garden – or get in touch if you have any questions. Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, with family or friends, we’d love to welcome you.
Click here: to visit our contact page – your journey begins here.