Yeeew, you made it to our FAQ page. Are you excited to hit the islands but have some questions before?

Check below on a few frequently asked questions about our hostel, the booking process or the experiences you can have on the Lofoten Islands. However we probably can't predict all the questions that may come up so do please get in touch with us if you cannot find what you are looking for.

Send us an email to islandlife@furuhostel.com or call us during our opening hours +47 920 37 870.

Your FURU family is stoked to hear from you.

FAQs

General

What are the reception and cafe opening hours?
During the summer (June to August), our FURU crew at the reception is there for you from 8:00 to 22:00 everyday.

We will serve you at FURU Café as well between 8:00-22:00 everyday.

During the off-season (from September to May) the reception is not always open, but we will always make sure you got all needed details to get into the rooms beforehand. FURU Café is only open on selective events and please check our Facebook event page when the Café is open.

How do I get to the Hostel? 
All roads lead to FURU - literally! It's true, as we are in the heart of Lofoten and directly located on the only road (E10) that connects the islands. If you want to know more about how to get to us, click here for all the info you need.

I booked Van Docking. Does that mean I get a bed in the hostel too?
Our Van Docking spaces do not include a bed inside the hostel.

Can I walk with shoes in the house?
It’s a Scandinavian tradition to take your shoes off when you walk into someone’s home. As FURU will hopefully feel like your home, we ask you to take off your shoes before entering the living/room areas. You will see the signs directing you to our little shoe corners.

Shoes are allowed in the Café and common areas. However, if you got some dirty hiking boots, please do leave them outside the building. 

Do you serve any meals? 
Our very own FURU Café is open during the summer months June to August and for special events during the low season. We serve homemade, locally-sourced vegetarian and pescatarian dishes, hot drinks, and local brews and spirits. Besides breakfast, lunch and dinner, will we always have some tasty snacks during the day. And, of course, you will always be able to enjoy a nice cup of coffee and a warm pastry when you come into the Café.

Can I bring my own food and drinks into the hostel?
You’re welcome to bring your own food and store it in the in the guest kitchen fridges. However there is no cooking or eating allowed in the rooms (besides small snack and fruits of course). Due to Norwegian rules, you are not allowed to bring your own cooked food into our Café area when open (this includes the lobby, Forest Room, and the tables outside our main entrance and on the terrace). 

Are there restaurants nearby?
There are a few Cafés between 10-30min drive away! We are happy to direct you to some really cool places our friends are running. Just come by the reception and we will help you out. 

In the meantime, stick around and try something tasty on our Café menu. 

Is there wildlife on the property?
Please be respectful when it comes to our nature around the building and when you see some wildlife, please hold distance and respect its habitat.

We frequently have moose visiting our little forest, however please be aware that moose are not to be pet or fed. It’s the safest to watch the majestic animals quietly from a safe distance. By the way, how cool is it to have moose in our backyard? Have your camera ready!

Activity Rentals

How do I book the gear at FURU? 
When booking your stay with us, you will have the chance to additionally book gear on our website under the menu Activities. 

Bookings

What is your cancellation policy?
For stays up to 20 nights, you can cancel your booking for free no later than 7 days before your arrival. After that period, you’ll be charged the full booking price. We recommend having a travel insurance, which could help cover your expenses should something come up in between.

Our policies for long-term stays (21+ nights) are a bit different. Have a look at our Terms & Conditions on our booking page for more details.

How do I cancel my booking?
If you booked directly with us, you can shoot us an email at islandlife@furuhostel.com to cancel your booking. Please be sure to include your booking's reference number.

If you booked through a 3rd party site, you’ll need to cancel the booking through them.

Can I change my booking?
You bet! You can modify your booking no later than 7 days before your arrival. After that time, you will still be charged for your original booking. 

If you booked directly with us, you can shoot us an email at islandlife@furuhostel.com to make changes to your booking. Please be sure to include your booking reference number.

If you booked through a 3rd party site, you’ll need to modify your booking through them.

Is there a female dorm?
Yes! We have one dorm for women only. Please choose "female dorm" when booking your stay. If that is booked out, grab a couple friends and book a whole dorm room for yourself.

Can I check-in outside of the opening hours?
If you arrive before 16:00, you’re welcome to leave your bags in our luggage storage area and kick back in our café or common areas, or go out and explore the beautiful surroundings until your room is ready. If you're arriving late, just send us an email ahead of time and we'll send you all the info you need to check-in. 

During the low season, our reception isn't always open so we'll have self check-in available. You'll receive an email the morning of your arrival with all the details. ;)

Can I book without a credit card?
No, we need at least a valid credit or debit card in order to secure the booking before your arrival (pre-authorization). When you are here, you can pay by cash, debit or credit card at our reception. 

Can under 18s stay in the hostel?
We're a family-friendly hostel and love having guests of all ages! There's just a few guidelines when it comes to under 18s.

Guests aged 16-17 can stay at FURU without an adult present, but we require that a parent or legal guardian signs a consent form before the stay. Send us an email in advance at islandlife@furuhostel.com.

Guests under 16 have to be accompanied by an adult. If you're booking with children under 16, you'll need to book the whole dorm, private room or apartment.

Please let us know if any under 18s are included in your booking.

Is there a minimum or maximum stay for the rooms and apartments?
You can stay as long as you want and we have space - we love having you around! Just let us know what your plans are. If you want to book longer than two weeks, please contact us directly and we will sort it out for you. Without contacting us, you might not be able to book more than 14 days online. We have special prices for longer stays.

Accommodation

Are bed linens and towels included? 
Towels and bed linens are included in the private rooms and apartments. For guests staying in the dorms, the bed linens are included whereas the towels can be rented at the reception.

Can I reserve a top or bottom bunk in a dorm?
We'll do our best! However we don't assign dorm beds, so we can't guarantee you a certain bed.

Can I bring my dog with me?
We love having dogs around at FURU! We have a few dog-friendly apartments and private rooms (subject to availability). If you want to bring your pup along, please email us at islandlife@furuhostel.com in advance as soon as you can. A dog fee also applies, which can be paid when you arrive.

Please note that we do not allow dogs in our dorm rooms unless you book the entire dorm. Unfortunately, due to health and safety reasons, dogs are not allowed inside the common areas and Café. 

If you are allergic to animal hair, do let us know in advance, so we don’t accidentally put you into the apartment where animals stayed before.

Do I have to bring a sleeping bag?
Nope! All of our beds are equipped with a comfy duvet, pillow and bed linens. We ask that you don’t use a sleeping bag in our beds due to hygiene. 

Are hair dryers available?
We have hairdryers available to borrow at the reception. 

Can I smoke in my room?
Nope! And we’re pretty serious about this due to fire hazard in this old, wooden building. There is a smoking area outside with a dedicated smoking bin. Anyone caught smoking anywhere inside the hostel will be asked to leave and receive a 2000kr fine. Please check our Terms and Conditions.

Are the rooms accessible with a wheelchair?
Absolutely! All rooms and apartments are accessible by wheelchair.

However, please note that we can't guarantee a bottom bunk in our dorm rooms (especially during the busy summer season). If you're unable to use the ladder to a top bunk, we suggest you book a private room or apartment.

Can I book for a group? 
Yes! If you want to book for more than 6 people, send us an email at islandlife@furuhostel.com. We are more than happy to help you with your group and your specific needs. 

If you’d like to reserve half or the whole building (60 max), please contact us at least a couple months ahead of time. We love hosting companies, university/school groups and have camps & workshops. We’re always stoked to create memorable experiences for you, your friends, students or colleagues.

Do you provide lockers in the dorms?
Yes! You will have a personal locker in your dorm room that you can lock. Bring your own small padlock or get one at the reception.  It’s perfect for safely storing your camera, laptop and other valuables.

Additionally, all room doors have digital locks that are only accessible with a key code.

Can I be sure that all my friends will stay in the same dorm?
We will do our absolute best to accommodate everyone in the same dorm, however we can’t always guarantee this - especially in the busy summer season. Contact us via email or phone if you want to check up if we have space.

Can I invite people who aren’t staying in the hostel?
Absolutely - the more the merrier! Your friends are welcome to hang out in the Café area.
The rooms and showers are reserved for the hostel guests only.

Facilities & Amenities

Do you have free Wifi?
Yes, we offer free Wi-Fi throughout the whole building. The speed is currently around 45-50 Mbps.

Do you provide towels and linens?
We provide sheets for all of our rooms. Towels are also provided in our private rooms and apartments. Guests staying in our dorms are welcome to rent a towel for 50kr.

Can I store my luggage before check-in or after check-out? 
We have a storage space for your luggage free of charge. However, we only have a limited amount of space, so if you have larger luggage please (surfboard, ski equipment etc.) let us know beforehand so we can sort it out for you.

If you are heading on a camping trip and have a night before or after your trip booked with us, you can leave your luggage free of charge. We experienced this service ourselves while travelling and it is a lifesaver when travelling with lots of gear.

Do you have a kitchen that can be used?
Yes! We have a guest kitchen available for those staying in our dorms and private rooms. It has everything you need to cook & prepare your own meals (fridge/freezer, stove, oven, cookware, dishes, etc.).

You can also prepare your favorite camping meal outside on one of our tables at the lakefront, or use our cozy grill hut. We have firewood available for purchase. 

We try to keep the prices at the Café as low as possible and hope you will also enjoy our simple and tasty food in between your own cooking.

Is there a parking lot next to the hostel?
Yes! There is free parking right in front of the hostel. Please check the signs and keep the turning points free for everyone to get safely in and out.

If by any chance it's totally full, come into the reception and we will make some space for your adventure mobile right away.

Is it possible to wash my clothes? 
We have a laundry room for you to use for a small fee to cover our costs. If your gear is due for a wash after many days in the mountains or on the road, come see us at reception to sign up for a laundry time slot.

We don't allow you to wash your clothes in the bathrooms, as it will clog up our systems. Thank you for your understanding.

Do you have a drying room?
We have a dry room for your moist adventure clothes and wetsuits in the basement. If you have ski or surf gear with you, we can store those in our adventure shed outside. Please ask the receptionist for the key. We also have a designated wetsuit drying rack outside behind the last apartment on the way to the lakeside.

Can you make a bonfire?
There are certain rules in Norway when it comes to making a bonfire, especially during the summer.
Although our own fire pit and grill house at the lakeside are openly available, please always come to the reception first before lighting up any fire. It is not allowed to start a fire without the reception's acknowledgement.