Lydersen Rorbuer Hostel and Apartments Kvalvika and Rytten

We stayed here last week. We booked for 2 nights but left after one. It's a basic hostel, rather than the "Rorbuer" it is advertised as on ***********. It's quite scrappy outside with a dark interior (I guess the lights were switched off to save energy?) But it was clean enough. We had a twin room, which was large and tidy. But it was next to one of the two kitchens. The night we stayed, the hostel was very busy with a large groups of friends occupying each of the kitchens. They took over every table and worksurface and were preparing extensive meals using most of the utensils. So there was nowhere for us to prepare our dinner or even to sit down. When we entered either kitchen we were met with stares of surprise that we had trespassed into their "space" and one woman even told my wife not to use the last remaining saucepan as they needed it for their cooking. The second group simply shut the kitchen door as a sign that this was their "space". So much for "communal spirit"! They occupied both kitchens from 5 pm to 10 pm so we had to go out for dinner and buy from an expensive (though tasty) food van nearby. It was hard to sit in our bedroom as there was constant noise from the kitchen next door and the walls were very thin. I had to read my book with my earplugs in for 2 hours. By 10:15 pm people had left the kitchen and we could breathe a sigh of relief. There was an unused bar area outside where we were able to eat our van food, but nowhere inside to escape from the noise. After one night of this we didn't want to risk a second night, so explained our concerns to the manager and left the next morning. On reflection, I guess we were unlucky to be at Lydersen at a busy time when two large groups had decided to take over the hostel (though this may be a common occurrence in the summer?) The hostel is basic, and the walls very thin, and there are not enough utensils to cope with busy times in the kitchens. It would be great to have a lounge where people can escape when the kitchens are full. The location is good, so my advice would be to go in expecting the worse and you may be lucky to find it quiet or at least occupied by smaller groups/individuals who don't think they own the place.

This is the place to stay if you want cheap accommodation to go hiking Ryten or the Kvalvika beach trail. It's 40 minutes walk from the nearest bus stop. It's easy by car, tho. The place is perfect for a whole resting day if the weather is bad and you cannot go for a hike. You can cook, read, have a sauna (for 400 NOK/hour). They have a fridge, kitchen, hot shower, wifi, comfy beds in the dormitory (but I think you can have your own room too). I was alone in the dormitory since it was not during the touristic season. The owner, Alice, was really helpful and nice to me. Tusen takk! :)