Hotels
Where to stay in Geilo: the best hotels for skiing
Geilo is the Norwegian ski resort you can reach by train. The slopes sit on both sides of the valley, and which side you stay on decides how far you carry your skis.
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In short
The best hotel in Geilo for families is Vestlia Resort, with ski-in ski-out access and pools under the same roof. Arriving by train, you will be closest to the station in the apartments at Highland Lodge Fjellandsby. Ustedalen Hotell is the quieter choice, about 350 metres from the Vestlia slopes.
Our first choice: Vestlia Resort. Check availability and prices
The train from Oslo slows into Geilo station and the first passengers step off with ski bags over their shoulders. Some walk straight to their apartment. Others hop on the ski bus to Vestlia on the far side of the lake.
The ride on the Bergen Line takes about three and a half hours, which makes Geilo one of very few Norwegian resorts where you can leave the car behind. The town centre and Geilolia lie on one side of the valley, Vestlia on the other. The hotels below are grouped by side.
Which side of Geilo to choose
Town centre and Geilolia: a short walk to the station and to the slopes on this side. Best if you arrive without a car.
Vestlia: its own slopes and ski school on the western side of the lake, and quieter in the evening. Best for families who want everything in one place.
The ski bus runs between the two sides and the lift pass covers both, so you are never stuck on one.
Near the station: from platform to front door
Highland Lodge Fjellandsby
The apartments at Fjellandsby have their own kitchens, and there is an indoor pool and a sauna on site. On nights when the children are too tired for a restaurant, you can cook in. The bakery at Highland Lodge means fresh rolls in the morning without starting a car.
It suits families and groups who come by train and want space to spread out. The station and the shops are a short walk away.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Highland Lodge Fjellandsby
Highland Lodge Fjellandsby
The Fjellandsby apartments come with a kitchen and living room, handy when the whole family stays together.
Vestlia: the whole holiday in one place
Vestlia Resort
Vestlia Resort sits across the valley from town, and from the door you ski straight onto the slopes there. It has an indoor pool with a water slide, a children’s pool and a spa, so a day of fog and wind is sorted before it arrives. In summer, Geilo’s summer park is right outside.
It suits families who want both the slopes and a pool without getting in the car. One thing to know: if you plan to spend evenings in town, you will need the ski bus or a taxi round the lake.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Vestlia Resort
Vestlia Resort
Winter mountain view from Vestlia Resort on the western side of Geilo.
Ustedalen Hotell
Ustedalen is family-run and stands about 350 metres from the Vestlia slopes, looking out over Ustedalsfjorden. Despite the name, the ‘fjord’ is a lake, frozen solid below the hotel in winter.
It suits couples and families who prefer a more personal place to the big resorts and do not mind a short walk to the lift.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Ustedalen Hotell Geilo
When to book a Geilo hotel
February half term and Norwegian winter holidays: the busiest weeks for both hotels and trains. Book the room and the train together, ideally before Christmas.
Easter: Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027. Book by January.
January and March outside the holidays: more free rooms and shorter lift queues.
Frequently asked questions
Which hotel in Geilo is ski-in ski-out?
Vestlia Resort has ski-in ski-out access to the slopes on the western side of Geilo. It is the easiest choice if you want to go straight from breakfast to the lift. Ustedalen Hotell is about 350 metres from the same slopes. Stay in the town centre and the Geilolia slopes are close by.
Can you get to Geilo by train?
Yes. Geilo is on the Bergen Line, and the train from Oslo takes about three and a half hours. The station is in the middle of town, so you can walk to several places to stay with your ski bag. The ski bus takes you on to Vestlia. Trains fill up in February and at Easter, so book early.
Where should families stay in Geilo?
Families will find Vestlia Resort the easiest base, with the slopes and a pool with a water slide in one place. If you arrive by train and want to cook for yourselves, the Fjellandsby apartments near the station are a good alternative. Neither needs a car during the holiday.
Which side of Geilo is best to stay on?
It depends on how you travel. The town side is best without a car, close to the station and the Geilolia slopes. Vestlia is quieter and suits families who like having a ski school on the doorstep. The lift pass covers both, and the ski bus links them.
How far is Geilo from Oslo Airport?
Geilo is roughly four hours from Oslo Airport by train, changing at Oslo Central onto the Bergen Line. Driving takes a similar time via the Hallingdal valley. With a morning flight from London you can be in Geilo the same evening, which makes even a long weekend realistic.