A must stay, says a visitor in 2002 to this remarkable brown and ochre fin de siecle villa, now a historic monument. Built in dragon style in 1894, it fell into disuse, but was restored in belle epoque style in 1994, when modern facilities were added. It stands at the head of Bandak lake in a quiet village by the Telemark Canal. The architecture is based on Stave churches, but swooping pointed ends over layers of balconies give a Chinese look. Inside is a `stunning' two-storey entrance hall with a stained-glass ceiling and gallery, carved wooden dragon heads, ornaments, sculptures, polished floors. Walls are hung with old photographs of visiting royalty. `Splendidly old-fashioned' villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) have authentic, sombre colours, stencilling, hand-made lace curtains, good lighting'. In the dining room, with tall windows and long tables, the no-choice dinner is thought `simple and excellent. A terrace looks over gardens towards the lake (with swans).

Traveller's tale villain Germany. The restaurant seems to be run to suit the chef's routine, not for the benefit of guests. We arrived tired and hungry. After cocktails in the pretty bar, we took our places in the dining room when it opened at 7 pm. We were served our first course at 8 pm, and the meal eventually ended at about 10.30 pm. The food was good, though the chef has a tendency to produce very rich sauces.