Evaluate: Resort Hafnia, Tórshavn (Faroe Islands)

Wednesday newsletters all the time characteristic a lodge or flight evaluation.

I lately loved my first cruise vacation—a superb journey round Iceland and the Faroe Islands aboard the Seabourn Enterprise, the world’s most luxurious expedition cruise ship. You may learn my journey experiences right here:

At this time: Evaluate of Resort Hafnia, Faroe Islands

I made a YouTube video with full tour of Resort Hafnia, which you’ll be able to watch beneath. Have you ever ever stayed at Resort Hafnia? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark.

On this evaluation:

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

• One in every of Resort Hafnia’s most compelling options is its location within the coronary heart of Tórshavn, the smallest capital metropolis on the earth. Set just some paces from the picturesque harbor, the lodge locations company inside strolling distance of the town’s most iconic landmarks, together with the red-painted authorities buildings of Tinganes, the historic district that dates again to the Viking period. You’ll additionally discover the Nationwide Gallery, Tórshavn Cathedral, and the energetic pedestrian road Niels Finsens Gøta simply minutes away on foot. For these trying to discover native tradition, cafés, boutiques, and museums lie round each nook, making Hafnia a super base for each brief metropolis breaks and longer immersive stays. Regardless of being so centrally positioned, the lodge maintains a peaceable ambiance, thanks partially to the quiet, slim streets and the proximity to the ocean. Whether or not you’re heading out for a morning stroll alongside the harbor, looking handmade items on the Saturday market, or catching a ferry for a day journey to close by islands, the lodge’s location makes it easy.

• Resort Hafnia’s story is interwoven with the fashionable historical past of Tórshavn itself. It opened in 1951, the imaginative and prescient of Christian Restorff—a visionary entrepreneur who needed to create a recent lodge that would serve the rising variety of guests to the Faroe Islands. On the time, it was the primary of its form within the capital, bringing new requirements of consolation and repair to the island nation. Over the following a number of many years, the Restorff household continued to develop and refine the lodge, increasing its amenities and establishing it as a cornerstone of Faroese hospitality. In 2005, the lodge handed out of household arms and it was later acquired by P/f Smyril Line, the Faroese transport firm greatest recognized for its North Atlantic ferry line, in 2018. Below their stewardship, Resort Hafnia has undergone a considerate modernization, sustaining its historic allure whereas upgrading amenities to satisfy the expectations of Twenty first-century vacationers. Apparently, Resort Hafnia is so woven into Faroese life that it even options in literature—together with the novel Når Engle spiller Mozart, highlighting its function as a cultural touchstone.

• The structure of Resort Hafnia displays the lodge’s twin identification as each a hub of hospitality and a cultural outpost. The principle constructing serves because the lodge’s social core, housing reception, lounges, convention rooms, and nearly all of visitor lodging. Flowing logically from the foyer to visitor areas and into the eating areas, the structure presents a easy visitor expertise. Only a few steps from the primary constructing is among the lodge’s most original options, a cluster of conventional Faroese grass-roofed cottages. These freestanding lodgings are perfect for households, long-stay company, or vacationers searching for a deeper connection to native traditions. Contained in the cottages, the aesthetic is cozy and heritage-forward, with low ceilings, heat wooden, and stone accents—but nonetheless outfitted with all the fashionable conveniences anticipated from a luxurious keep. Extra on-site facilities embody a Finnish-style sauna, entry to a fully-equipped gymnasium close by, and several other versatile assembly areas.

• Resort Hafnia’s considerate design blends Nordic simplicity with a definite Faroese character—qualities well-suited to a vacation spot the place the climate usually invitations cozy moments indoors. The interiors characteristic a relaxing mixture of muted greys, pale woods, comfortable leathers, and textured materials that create a way of ease. Throughout the lodge—from the lounge areas to the visitor rooms—performance is paired with heat. Modern touches are current however by no means overbearing, and the ambiance feels welcoming slightly than formal. Particulars comparable to historic images of Tórshavn, artworks by native creators, and refined nods to the encompassing panorama present a way of place. The distinction between the clear traces of the primary constructing and the standard grass-roofed cottages provides persona to the property. The cottages, particularly when morning mist settles on their mossy roofs, carry a quiet allure that feels rooted in Faroese custom. Lighting additionally performs an essential function: softly lit corridors, heat pendant lamps within the restaurant, and discreet fixtures within the rooms create consolation with out distraction.

• Resort Hafnia presents a big selection of lodging—from single rooms excellent for solo adventurers or enterprise vacationers, to expansive suites that provide further consolation and commanding views. The lodge’s 79 rooms and suites embody flat-screen TVs, blackout curtains, complimentary Wi-Fi, work desks, and occasional/tea amenities. A preferred characteristic amongst company is the considerate use of native touches: historic picture collages, conventional Faroese patterns within the textiles, and handcrafted ceramics used within the tea service. The suites, specifically, are perfect for longer stays or romantic getaways, with plush seating areas, king-sized beds, and upgraded bogs that includes each showers and jetted tubs with gorgeous views of Tórshavn. For these searching for a extra immersive cultural expertise, the aforementioned cottage lodging present a very particular various. Whereas barely extra rustic in aesthetic and some steps from the lodge’s important constructing and amenities, they’re totally serviced and excellent for vacationers who need a storybook keep in a conventional Faroese setting.

• Culinary excellence is a cornerstone of the Resort Hafnia expertise, with three distinct eating venues, every providing a novel expertise:
  • Bistro 1 Hædd is a classy, intimate restaurant perched on the primary ground. Right here, the menu leans trendy Nordic, specializing in recent seafood, Faroese lamb, and seasonal greens. Each moring, a wonderful breakfast buffet can also be provided at Bistro 1 Hædd.
  • Simply across the nook from the primary constructing, Katrina Christiansen Restaurant presents a extra informal but no much less refined eating choice. Housed in considered one of Tórshavn’s oldest preserved picket buildings, this restaurant is as a lot concerning the expertise because the meals. It invitations company right into a time capsule of Faroese historical past, with creaking flooring, uncovered beams, and candlelit tables. The menu is rooted in custom, that includes reimagined classics like skerpikjøt (fermented lamb), fish soup, and rhubarb desserts.
  • For company searching for a relaxed second between excursions, Café Kaspar is a shiny and welcoming house good for espresso, wine, or a lightweight snack. It’s a favourite spot amongst locals as nicely, including a social buzz to the expertise. A complimentary each day wine hour is obtainable to company—an appreciated contact that encourages mingling and leisure after a day of island exploration.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

• The rooms at Resort Hafnia have a distinctly cozy allure, however they’re positively on the smaller aspect in comparison with what many discerning vacationers is perhaps used to. That is particularly noticeable within the bogs, the place the bathe space isn’t all the time clearly separated from the remainder of the house. That being stated, the compact structure additionally provides the lodge an intimate, boutique-like really feel, and every little thing was spotless and useful throughout my keep. Should you’re somebody who values effectivity and luxury over sprawling sq. footage, the rooms do ship what you want for a very good night time’s relaxation.

• Should you’re assigned a room within the basement, be ready for much more restricted house. These rooms can really feel a bit cramped, with decrease ceilings and smaller home windows that allow in much less pure mild. Whereas completely useful for a brief keep, they don’t supply the ethereal, open really feel that rooms on greater flooring present. Should you’re delicate to house or favor shiny, open environment, requesting or reserving a room on an higher ground is unquestionably price contemplating.

• One in every of Resort Hafnia’s largest benefits is its unbeatable location—proper within the middle of Tórshavn, simply steps from cafés, outlets, and the harbor. In fact, being in the course of every little thing can deliver a little background noise with it. From my room on a better ground, I solely observed the occasional murmur of vehicles or faint footsteps within the hallway, and it was by no means sufficient to disturb my keep. That stated, I can think about that lower-floor rooms or these going through instantly onto the road may expertise extra of the town’s nightlife and site visitors sounds. For mild sleepers, a better ground or an backward-facing room may very well be the safer selection, or just bringing alongside earplugs to make sure a restful night time.

• For vacationers exploring the Faroe Islands by automotive, parking at Resort Hafnia could be a small problem. The lodge doesn’t have its personal parking amenities, so company have to depend on public parking close by. In apply, this meant spending a couple of further minutes discovering an area and generally strolling a brief distance with baggage. On the intense aspect, parking in Tórshavn is mostly protected and simple, and as soon as the automotive was parked, I actually didn’t miss it—every little thing on the town was inside strolling distance. It’s much less of an issue should you plan to make use of the lodge as a base for day journeys and solely want to maneuver the automotive a couple of times a day.

• Should you’re used to accommodations with gyms or swimming pools, you received’t discover them at Resort Hafnia. The main focus right here is on comfy lodging and a central location, although there are a few methods to remain energetic. The lodge has a small on-site sauna, good for unwinding after a day of exploring. Moreover, all company have complimentary entry to Burn Health, simply 180 meters (600 ft) away—a simple stroll by means of Vaglið from the lodge. Simply ask at reception for a wristband, and also you’re all set. For me, the lack of a full wellness advanced wasn’t a dealbreaker—I spent most of my time wandering Tórshavn and the encompassing islands— however it’s helpful to know in case your excellent keep consists of on-site health or leisure choices.

• Should you’re accustomed to ultra-luxury accommodations, it’s price stating that Resort Hafnia is not a five-star property—and in reality, the Faroe Islands don’t actually have a real luxurious lodge scene (at the very least not within the typical sense). What 4-star Resort Hafnia presents as a substitute is a snug and welcoming keep in a major location, with loads of persona and allure. The expertise is much less about marble lobbies and champagne bars, and extra about feeling at residence whereas being immersed within the rhythm of Tórshavn. For me, that was a part of its attraction—it matched the understated, genuine character of the islands themselves.

MY VERDICT

• Format: 7/10
• Design: 8/10
• Pool: n/a
• Rooms: 8/10
• Meals: 8/10
• Breakfast: 8/10
• Spa: n/a
• Service: 8/10
• Wow issue: 6/10
• Worth for cash: 7/10
• Total expertise:  good – 7.5/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

• Get monetary savings: learn right here my suggestions for getting the perfect deal at a lodge like Resort Hafnia (and/or obtain many free perks).

• Learn my suggestions for making ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The most effective time to go to the Faroe Islands is mostly late Could by means of early September, when the climate is gentle, with common temperatures round 10–15°C (50–59°F), and the times are lengthy, particularly in June when daylight can final almost 24 hours. This era is good for outside actions comparable to climbing, boat excursions, and wildlife recognizing, together with puffins and whales. Shoulder seasons in Could and September supply fewer crowds and barely decrease costs, although the climate could be extra unpredictable. Winter, from October to April, is much less favorable attributable to brief daylight, frequent storms, and restricted entry to some distant areas, however it will probably attraction to these searching for dramatic landscapes and the possibility to see the Northern Lights.

HOW TO GET THERE

Resort Hafnia is positioned within the middle of Tórshavn. Guests arriving from Vágar Airport (FAE) can attain the lodge by automotive in roughly 40–45 minutes, or by bus through Route 300 in about 50 minutes. Helicopter providers additionally function between the airport and Tórshavn Bodanes Heliport, taking round 12 minutes. As soon as in Tórshavn, the lodge is well accessible on foot.

PHOTOS

Right here’s a collection of my images of Resort Hafnia. To view extra images (together with images of breakfast and dinner on the restaurant), click on right here.

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