Composer Edvard Grieg is just one of the many artists who sought refuge in the sleepy area of Norway called Lofthus. This beautiful retreat is located 140kms east of Bergen and 379kms west of Oslo. Many Lofthus hotels are steeped in tradition and boast breathtaking views of Norway's third-biggest glacier, the 37km long Folgefonna. Many smaller communities are considered part of Lofthus, including the ancient farm of Ullensvang at the Opo River's mouth. The best known landmark in Ullensvang is its Gothic stone church, frequently open during warm weather and said to have been constructed by Scottish masons during the late 13th century. Many of the fruit trees which now grow here were originally planted by the same Cistercian monks who built the 616 steps along the Monks' Staircase in Opedal centuries ago. Another ancient farm, Pedal, contains a runic stone dating from the year 600. All of these towns lie within a coastline stretch of six to eight kilometres along the Sorfjorden.

other spellings: lofthus otel, loftus hotell, lofthas hote, lofthushotels, lofthus hotle, lofthus hotes