My Creative Cup of Tea

July 15, 2025

#MCCOTPlacetoStay {26}

Åmot

Sunnfjord

Bygstad

Norway

As more and more of us are- fortunately and for the best- getting used to buying less but better, in the near future, we also should be willing to travel less but better and in this way, supporting slow, sustainable and regenerative tourism. Making the committed decision to choose with care and mindfulness only one-of-kind places that we deeply want to discover and where to create unforgettable memories- alone or in good company- and get a raw, authentique, revitalising and luxurious 5-star experience. Less-popular premium and niche destinations for a few -that resolutely stand out from the crowd- located in remote and untouched regions, in the countryside and in scenic locations where to get an authentique and revitalising and luxurious 5-star experience. Such as Åmot, a very exclusive, eco-friendly Norwegian family-owned and operated high-end property -lodging since 1890-hidden at the end of the stunning Sunnfjord, one of Scandinavia’s most dramatic, pristine landscapes — little visited, utterly authentic. A rural haven. A natural secret retreat. A secluded sanctuary, part of AERLI, a collection of eight of Norway's finest places, where authenticity meets exclusivity, A special place that, from day one of your stay, will immerse you deeply into the peace, history and virgin nature. "To stay at Åmot is to step into a painting of calm. A breathing space. A perfect pause. A time to reflect, to revitalize, and to rediscover the finer things in life”. The cherished home of proud landlords and welcoming hosts, Steinar Sørli and Yngve Brakstad, both rooted in the local community. A close-knit duo who can rely on an extended family of fishermen, farmers and artists to pamper each single lucky guest. As the fifth generation owner, Steinar has an enduring love for the estate and its heritage which is reflected in his hospitality. As an experienced architect, Yngve has been instrumental in creating Åmot’s unique aesthetic. The establishment which has been designed as a cosy home-sweet-home far away from home can accommodate up to 14 guests, with a minimum stay of 3 nights: a total of 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms distributed among the original 1890s Villa which has been lovingly restored and modernised and The Cottage, a charming guesthouse originally built in the 1820s. At Åmot, visitors can firsthand enjoy the benefits of a slow, genuine and unique Norway’s fjord lifestyle : simply chilling, taking a bath in the warm wooden hot tub of the vibrant gated garden, reading a book or a magazine in the secluded courtyard, e-biking, fishing, hiking- customised itinerary including daily guided activities are provided on demand-, practising yoga in the morning in the Barn's sunny studio. But also, ice on the cake, delighting their palate enjoying the delicious dishes cooked by talented local slow chef Thomas and learning about Norwegian food culture. The food served is seasonal, locally sourced and very often foraged by the head chef himself. Passionate about sharing the region’s cultural heritage with their guests, Steinar and Yngve are committed to making a difference: one of their main priorities is indeed to ensure that all the suppliers, staff and activity providers are local, and that the experiences on offer also support rural development, local culture, education and arts. As role models and committed-to-the-environment citizens, they are doing their best to make their small business to be as sustainable as possible on a daily basis. They are repurposing old materials across the property. Ground source heat pumps via boreholes are used for underfloor and water heating. The whole team is working hard towards eliminating single use plastics.