Sometimes you’re a real lucky duck and you end up in places you thought you could only dream of. Like when I got to spend a night in the second-largest suite at Farris Bad, my favorite hotel in Norway. I’m taking you along on an adventure to Larvik!
Where nature and exclusivity go hand in hand
Farris Bad opened its doors in 2009 and quickly became a popular spot on the coast of Larvik. The spa hotel was built with a clear vision: to create a place where exclusivity and nature go hand in hand. So the location is no coincidence. Set on the mineral-rich Farris pond – which has been known for its healing water for centuries – and overlooking the rugged coastline of the Skagerrak, Farris Bad is an oasis of peace and pampering.
The hotel was designed by Halvorsen & Reine, a Norwegian architecture firm that creates modern and sustainable designs, always with an eye for nature. Together with landscape architect Gullik Gulliksen AS, an expert in creating environmentally friendly outdoor spaces, they designed Farris Bad. The result: a beautiful combination of impressive architecture and clever integration with the natural surroundings. And it feels like coming home.
Location and getting there
Farris Bad is located in Larvik, a charming coastal town in the south of Norway, just an hour and a half’s drive from Oslo. Larvik train station is within walking distance of the hotel, so you can easily get here by public transportation too.
The dramatic Skagerrak
Farris Bad sits right on the coast of the Skagerrak, a strait that separates Norway from Denmark and Sweden. The view from the hotel is truly breathtaking. You see the waves crashing against the rocks and hear the sound of the sea in the background. The Skagerrak is known for its rugged coastline, strong winds and changeable weather. During my stay, the weather was typical for this area: unpredictable and all over the place. But that’s exactly what makes it so special.
Parking
There are several parking options, including right in front of the door. That’s the most expensive option, though. The parking garage under the hotel has a slightly cheaper daily rate, but it can fill up quickly – especially in high season. Across the road there’s a large parking lot where you also pay a maximum daily rate. This is the cheapest option and less than a 3-minute walk.
Farris mineral water
What makes Farris Bad so special is that it’s the only hotel in Scandinavia that has built its spa on a real mineral-rich spring. The water starts its journey in the Bøkeskogen forest, flows through ancient moraines for 20 years and picks up a unique mix of minerals along the way. Only after that long journey does it arrive in the springs of Farris Bad. Here, deep underground, the water is purified and enriched with nutrients that are said to have a positive effect on body and mind.
In the ‘Spring Water Grotto‘ (Kildevannsgrotten) you can soak in the water. I found it really striking that you can immediately feel on your body that it’s not ‘normal’ water. It feels like a kind of gentle pressure on your body, which at the same time makes you very relaxed.
And no, it’s no coincidence that the oldest and best-selling bottled water in Norway is called ‘Farris‘. Every single bottle has its origins in, you guessed it, Larvik.
Wellness with a story
Besides a mineral-rich spring, Farris Bad is built on a piece of history. As early as 1843, the first bathhouse was built on this site, thanks to the visionary Karen Linaae. In 1880 a new spa resort followed, founded by Dr. Ingebrigt Holm. This place attracted the greats of the world, such as the famous writers Ibsen, Bjørnson, Lagerlöf and Hamsun. They came here not only to relax, but also to enjoy the healing effects of the Farris water.
I found it super special to think that these historical figures once bathed in the same water that is still used for the same purpose today. While you relax in the modern spa, you can feel the history all around you. That makes a stay at Farris Bad a very relaxing history lesson indeed.
Inclusive exclusivity
Farris Bad is an exclusive hotel, but at the same time it feels very accessible. Nobody is excluded and everyone is welcome. I’ve seen the most expensive cars parked out front, but I’ve also seen backpackers in rain gear arrive on foot.
What I appreciate most about this place is the personal attention and the eye for detail. They really know very well how to make your stay special. The staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful and really take the time for you.
When I visited in July with my little dog Finn, they had even set out a bowl of water for him in the room. Doesn’t that just make you happy? It’s the little details that lift a stay from a 9 to a 10, and Farris Bad understands that like no other.
How much does a stay at Farris cost?
Now I can hear you thinking “that can’t be cheap”, but honestly? I don’t think a stay at Farris Bad is expensive. Yes, it’s a lot of money for one night, but you also get a whole lot of value for your money.
Prices vary depending on the type of room, the season and availability, but roughly speaking, this is what you can expect from the cheapest and the most expensive stay.
Cheapest stay
The standard rooms are usually the most affordable options at Farris Bad. On my previous stay I slept in one of these rooms and it really felt like a vacation. The price for a standard room starts at around 2,500 NOK per night (about €220) for two people, depending on the time of year and any promotions. Breakfast and access to the spa are included.
Most expensive stay
The most expensive options at Farris Bad are the Fritzøe suite and the Larvikitt suite. These beautiful rooms have a spacious seating area, sea views and large bathrooms, and the biggest suite even has private access to the spa. The price for a stay in a suite can go up to about 7,000-10,000 NOK per night (about €600-900). But believe me, it’s worth every krone.
And now for the best part… In collaboration with Farris, I’m allowed to share this awesome discount code with you:
Something for everyone
The hotel offers endless ways to make your stay even more special. From pregnancy massages to facials and from mud baths to yoga classes with a view of the sea. It’s all possible.
There’s plenty of choice in the restaurant, too. You’re welcome there for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and you can get delicious cocktails at the bar. In nice weather you can also settle down on the terrace by the sea or on the rooftop terrace. In the lounge chairs, you’d almost forget the spa is waiting for you.
In the mood for a shopping spree? You don’t even have to leave the hotel for that. The spa shop has swimwear and more skincare products than your average drugstore. And it smells só good in there!
Want to bring your loyal four-legged friend? No problem. For a small extra charge (400NOK), dogs are welcome in the room too (not in the spa ;)).
Completely away from it all
But the most special part has to be the spa area itself. There’s so much to discover and experience that it feels like stepping into a whole new world. The swimming pool with gigantic windows and a stunning view is surrounded by jacuzzis (indoors and outdoors), saunas, a steam room, a large mineral bath, lounge areas, little bars with hydration stations and a whole bunch of different saunas. If you’re brave enough, you can take a swim ladder straight down from one of the saunas for a dip in the sea. How cool is that?
The happiness cocktail of heat and cold
Because I often feel completely reborn after a day at the spa, I was curious how that whole hot/cold thing actually works on your body and especially your brain. Saunas are good for your circulation, help you sweat out toxins and cleanse your skin. The heat relaxes your muscles and can reduce stress. Most people know that.
Taking a cold shower or a dip in the sea after a sauna session gives your circulation an extra boost and supports your immune system. Alternating between heat and cold makes the pores that the sauna opened close again. The cold also reduces muscle tension and speeds up recovery, while your body gets an invigorating energy boost.
But! And here it comes: alternating heat and cold also stimulates the production of various “happy chemicals” in the brain, such as endorphins, which reduce pain and stress, and dopamine, the chemical that gives you a feeling of satisfaction. On top of that, a sauna session raises the level of serotonin in your body, which helps regulate mood and relaxation, and noradrenaline, which gives you an energizing and refreshing boost after cold exposure. In some cases, oxytocin is released too, the “cuddle hormone,” which creates a feeling of connection and calm. This combination of happy chemicals makes for a very special kind of happiness cocktail for your brain.
No wonder a day of wellness makes us feel so much better!
The magic of ‘Aufguss’ in the event sauna
I didn’t mention it in my list earlier, because it deserves a separate mention: The event sauna at Farris Bad has room for about 100 people, making it one of the largest in Northern Europe. That’s impressive in itself, but what makes this sauna so special are the aufguss ceremonies performed by experienced sauna masters from all over the world. They take you on a theatrical adventure with a combination of essential oils, music, sounds, light shows and intense heat.
Aufguss (German for ‘infusion’) is a sauna ritual that has become popular worldwide. During the ritual, the sauna master pours water or ice mixed with essential oils onto red-hot sauna stones, which suddenly raises the humidity and temperature in the sauna. The heat is then spread through the sauna with fans, branches or other tools.
As far as I’m concerned, these ceremonies are the absolute highlight of Farris Bad. Everything has been thought through and you can lose yourself completely in the experience. Every ceremony I’ve experienced there so far has been totally different. In terms of temperatures, sounds, scents and other surprising elements. One time I got clay smeared on my forehead (just like Simba!), another time an unexpected splash of cold water in my face. And of course every session ends with a dip in the sea together!
Day guests and hotel guests can join these sessions free of charge. Two or three ceremonies are held each day. You can find the times in the spa and on the website (they vary).
A spa visit a day keeps the blues away
After three hours of being completely away from it all in the spa, we could shower with a view of the harbor and flop down onto a bed as soft as a cloud. The sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore rocked us to sleep.
The next morning we woke up extra early so we could watch the sun rise from the jacuzzi. After the extensive breakfast – which left nothing to be desired – we ended our stay with a second round in the event sauna and a cold dip in the sea.
After showering, a little coffee in bed, and when we checked out around noon, I felt completely relaxed and recharged. It was a short but unforgettable experience, and I can’t wait to come back. Maybe next time I’ll stay a whole week.
To do in Larvik
Want to head out and explore the area after (or during) your stay? Then I have a few fun tips for you:
Molo pastabar
An absolute must. Located on Larvik’s harbor, a stone’s throw from Farris, this cozy pasta bar serves the most divine gnocchi with sage butter. And lots of other homemade pastas and Italian dishes. In summer you can also sit on the rooftop terrace.
Maja’s Bakeri
Do you have a huge sweet tooth, just like me? Then you really have to stop by Maja’s for a pastry. The last time I was here, they had gigantic galaxy meringues. And you can never get enough of the cinnamon buns here.
Tollerodden
Once you’ve stocked up for a picnic at Maja’s, you can head to Tollerodden. This peninsula is within walking distance of the center of Larvik and is a historic area with beautiful old houses and green walking paths. Here you can enjoy the peace and quiet and the view of the water, or maybe even take a dip in the ‘swimming pool’.
Bøkeskogen
In the largest beech forest in Norway, you can go for a beautiful walk in every season. The forest is full of centuries-old beech trees and you also get a lovely view of Farrisvatnet, the lake that supplies the mineral-rich water to Farris Bad.
Our stay at Farris Bad was sponsored. That means I received the stay in exchange for this article. However, this doesn’t mean I don’t write honest blogs. What you read here is 100% transparent and sincere.
