Ørland municipality occupies the outer reaches of the Trondheim Fjord — a broad, flat peninsula pointing westward into the Norwegian Sea, with one of the country’s finest natural birdwatching areas on its tip. It is also home to Norway’s main air base and a community with a strong sense of place and pride in its Trøndelag heritage. Hovde Gård, a boutique guesthouse in Brekstad, the peninsula’s main village, captures much of that character in its approach to hospitality.
The guesthouse sits just 300 metres from Trondheimsfjorden, close enough to feel the maritime presence of the fjord without being on the water itself. Guests have complimentary access to both the sauna and jacuzzi, an arrangement that reflects Hovde Gård’s philosophy of generous, unhurried hospitality rather than the metered, extra-charge approach of larger hotel chains.
Sauna and Jacuzzi
The sauna at Hovde Gård is the kind that rewards a slow approach. Come in the evening, after a day exploring the nature reserve or the beaches at Austefjorden, and let the heat do its work. The jacuzzi provides a warm counterpoint that is easy to linger in, and the cold-plunge option rounds out the thermal experience for guests who want the full contrast. The atmosphere throughout is quiet and personal — the opposite of a busy urban spa complex, and all the better for it.
Table and Terroir
What distinguishes Hovde Gård as a destination is the restaurant, which draws consistently on Trøndelag’s exceptional local larder. The region produces outstanding seafood, lamb, dairy, and game, and the kitchen at Hovde Gård uses these ingredients with respect and skill. A sauna session followed by a proper Trøndelag meal — perhaps fresh Atlantic prawns, then a lamb dish, with local cheeses to finish — is a pairing that honours both Norwegian bathing culture and Norwegian food culture. The guesthouse is small enough that service feels genuinely attentive, and the overall experience sits comfortably in the mid-range without any sense of compromise.
