At Hardanger Next, Bendik shared how design and technology created a digital journey for Woodnest -- a website that quickly became fully booked and engaged guests long before check-in.
At Hardanger Next, Bendik shared experiences and insights into how design and technology can create a digital journey that feels natural and engaging — long before the actual stay starts.
Is it when the guest sets foot in the cabin, or does it start already at the first visit to the website? At Woodnest, it's not just about providing an overnight stay, but creating an experience that gives the guest the feeling of disappearing into the woods, finding peace, and experiencing something truly unique and exclusive.
We started the work of understanding what really draws people to Woodnest. The website was designed as a voyage of discovery, not a traditional booking portal. Calm transitions, minimal distractions and a clear focus on the sense of exploration gave the user the opportunity to engage at their own pace.
It was important that the booking was seamlessly integrated so that guests never experienced an interruption between the website and the booking function. The result was a holistic digital journey that mirrored the real experience on site.
The website launched on 24 November 2024, and shortly after, Woodnest was fully booked out September 2025. Over 165,000 organic visits and 481 bookings clearly demonstrated that guests appreciated the leisurely pace and seamless digital journey.
