Rica Park stands out for its old-world ambiance: Think floral drapery, studded leather armchairs, and wooden bookcases lined with colorful books. It's intimate at 59 rooms, and the cozy feel is furthered by a lobby fireplace and the smell of freshly-baked waffles wafting through the lobby all afternoon, a treat for returning guests or those checking in. The decor and style of guest rooms (particularly the bathrooms) is a bit unexciting, especially considering the pleasant lobby, but they're large, and the hotel has a fairly central location near the lake and theater.
Rica Park stands out for its old-world ambiance: Think floral drapery, studded leather armchairs, and wooden bookcases lined with colorful books. It's intimate at 59 rooms, and the cozy feel is furthered by a lobby fireplace and the smell of freshly-baked waffles wafting through the lobby all afternoon, a treat for returning guests or those checking in. The decor and style of guest rooms (particularly the bathrooms) is a bit unexciting, especially considering the pleasant lobby, but they're large, and the hotel has a fairly central location near the lake and theater.
This 204-room, business-oriented hotel lives up to the Radisson Blu chain's reputation, delivering upscale rooms with nice amenities, lots of meeting space, and extensive features -- the large indoor pool, in particular, is a rarity for Norway (it's the only hotel pool in Stavanger). Harlequin serves buffet food with a healthy focus in a bright atrium setting, and the excellent Eatroyal Restaurant & Bar, serving gourmet Norwegian cuisine using local ingredients, deserves to be a destination in its own right. Decor is relatively bland, however, for a luxry hotel; fresher, trendier decor can be found at the nearby Comfort Hotel Square, but this is still one of Stavanger's best options.
This 204-room, business-oriented hotel lives up to the Radisson Blu chain's reputation, delivering upscale rooms with nice amenities, lots of meeting space, and extensive features -- the large indoor pool, in particular, is a rarity for Norway (it's the only hotel pool in Stavanger). Harlequin serves buffet food with a healthy focus in a bright atrium setting, and the excellent Eatroyal Restaurant & Bar, serving gourmet Norwegian cuisine using local ingredients, deserves to be a destination in its own right. Decor is relatively bland, however, for a luxry hotel; fresher, trendier decor can be found at the nearby Comfort Hotel Square, but this is still one of Stavanger's best options.
Without a doubt, the most notable aspect of this 194-room chain hotel is is the colorful, eccentric decor, which hits you immediately upon entering the lobby and continues in the guest rooms, hallways, and even the fitness center. The hotel's forgettable chain name belies its true quirkiness. The location is just a short walk from the city's wharf and main square, but it's the graphic novel-esque headboards, peek-a-boo sliding bathroom panels, and wall-sized lobby photos that will stay with guests after they leave. Food Story, a stylish café, occupies half of the ground floor, and serves three meals a day in a stylish atmosphere. For more traditional hotel decor, consider the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel down the street.
Without a doubt, the most notable aspect of this 194-room chain hotel is is the colorful, eccentric decor, which hits you immediately upon entering the lobby and continues in the guest rooms, hallways, and even the fitness center. The hotel's forgettable chain name belies its true quirkiness. The location is just a short walk from the city's wharf and main square, but it's the graphic novel-esque headboards, peek-a-boo sliding bathroom panels, and wall-sized lobby photos that will stay with guests after they leave. Food Story, a stylish café, occupies half of the ground floor, and serves three meals a day in a stylish atmosphere. For more traditional hotel decor, consider the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel down the street.
The 249-room Clarion Hotel Stavanger is a stylish hotel just a short walk from many of Stavanger's sights, including the Breiavatnet Lake, Stavanger Cathedral, and the main wharf with its colorful bars and restaurants. While the hotel doesn't boast many amenities, it does have 11 meeting spaces, including a sleek board room with panoramic views and a main hall that can hold up to 720 people. The large restaurant space off the lobby serves free breakfast before turning into a full-service restaurant later in the day , and also serves as the hotel's bar.
The 249-room Clarion Hotel Stavanger is a stylish hotel just a short walk from many of Stavanger's sights, including the Breiavatnet Lake, Stavanger Cathedral, and the main wharf with its colorful bars and restaurants. While the hotel doesn't boast many amenities, it does have 11 meeting spaces, including a sleek board room with panoramic views and a main hall that can hold up to 720 people. The large restaurant space off the lobby serves free breakfast before turning into a full-service restaurant later in the day , and also serves as the hotel's bar.
This historic, 107-room property is a haven for business travelers, with multiple meeting rooms and frequent conferences hosted on-site. The location on the harbor and within walking distance of Old Town will appeal to leisure travelers as well, though the hotel can feel a bit overrun by business guests during big events. Lovely historic details include wood paneling and chandeliers, but the overall feel is slightly corporate and some areas could use renovation. Standard Rooms have traditional decor but are a bit bland, and lack the level of charm found in other parts of the hotel. Room decor gets more impressive as you go up in price category, as do the amenities: Only suites come with L'Occitane toiletries and tea/coffee makers, and only Deluxe Rooms and above get robes and slippers. All rooms come with free bottled water, minibars, flat-screen TVs.
This historic, 107-room property is a haven for business travelers, with multiple meeting rooms and frequent conferences hosted on-site. The location on the harbor and within walking distance of Old Town will appeal to leisure travelers as well, though the hotel can feel a bit overrun by business guests during big events. Lovely historic details include wood paneling and chandeliers, but the overall feel is slightly corporate and some areas could use renovation. Standard Rooms have traditional decor but are a bit bland, and lack the level of charm found in other parts of the hotel. Room decor gets more impressive as you go up in price category, as do the amenities: Only suites come with L'Occitane toiletries and tea/coffee makers, and only Deluxe Rooms and above get robes and slippers. All rooms come with free bottled water, minibars, flat-screen TVs.
The 121-room Fretheim Hotel is the main hotel in tiny Flam, a village that's the jumping off point for a number of fjord cruises. The property has a rich history -- it dates back to the late 19th century -- and the common spaces have charm to spare. Rooms, however, are a mixed bag; 80 percent have basic mid-range decor, while the rest are higher-end. (American Wing Rooms are contemporary, while Historic Wing Rooms -- though lacking TVs for added authenticity -- are lovely and quaint.) The hotel makes the most of its unique, naturally beautiful location with soaring glass windows in the lobby and restaurant that frame the steep surrounding mountains.
The 121-room Fretheim Hotel is the main hotel in tiny Flam, a village that's the jumping off point for a number of fjord cruises. The property has a rich history -- it dates back to the late 19th century -- and the common spaces have charm to spare. Rooms, however, are a mixed bag; 80 percent have basic mid-range decor, while the rest are higher-end. (American Wing Rooms are contemporary, while Historic Wing Rooms -- though lacking TVs for added authenticity -- are lovely and quaint.) The hotel makes the most of its unique, naturally beautiful location with soaring glass windows in the lobby and restaurant that frame the steep surrounding mountains.
This attractive 263-room hotel, decked out in contemporary decor (think: white acrylic "moose head;" individual, geometric check-in kiosks) is a popular spot for meetings and conventions. Hosting big groups can lead to commotion in the lobby, but the hotel's excellent location helps compensate: The hotel is attached to the historic buildings of the Bryggen wharf area, Bergen's most popular attraction (smaller meetings can even convene inside the historic buildings, most of which have been rebuilt). There's an on-site Italian restaurant, and the hotel is attached to a live music venue-cum-restaurant that serves American fare. For an equally good location with a quieter atmosphere, consider the Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret right across the driveway.
This attractive 263-room hotel, decked out in contemporary decor (think: white acrylic "moose head;" individual, geometric check-in kiosks) is a popular spot for meetings and conventions. Hosting big groups can lead to commotion in the lobby, but the hotel's excellent location helps compensate: The hotel is attached to the historic buildings of the Bryggen wharf area, Bergen's most popular attraction (smaller meetings can even convene inside the historic buildings, most of which have been rebuilt). There's an on-site Italian restaurant, and the hotel is attached to a live music venue-cum-restaurant that serves American fare. For an equally good location with a quieter atmosphere, consider the Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret right across the driveway.
The 116-room Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret is considered to be Bergen's top hotel, and for good reason -- it has elegant, sophisticated decor, a prime location near Bryggen and Bergenhus Fortress, and modern rooms with sultry style. Plus, guests get the usual perks that come with the business-oriented Clarion Collection chain -- not only free breakfast, but free afternoon waffles and a free light evening meal, which add enormous value. The adjacent Radisson Blu Royal completed renovations in 2012, however, and is now nipping at the Havnekontoret's heels -- but though its rooms are now arguably just as nice, the property is larger and feels more impersonal.
The 116-room Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret is considered to be Bergen's top hotel, and for good reason -- it has elegant, sophisticated decor, a prime location near Bryggen and Bergenhus Fortress, and modern rooms with sultry style. Plus, guests get the usual perks that come with the business-oriented Clarion Collection chain -- not only free breakfast, but free afternoon waffles and a free light evening meal, which add enormous value. The adjacent Radisson Blu Royal completed renovations in 2012, however, and is now nipping at the Havnekontoret's heels -- but though its rooms are now arguably just as nice, the property is larger and feels more impersonal.
The Clarion Hotel Admiral, housed in a historic former boat warehouse on the Bergen harbor, is a solid option within walking distance of popular sights. Though the restaurant area and many of the rooms are dated and awaiting renovation (slated to be completed by November 2013), the renovated rooms are contemporary and stylish; some have balconies with views of the water. The updated room decor is on par with that at the Clarion Collection Havnekontoret and the Radisson Blu Royal, but prices here tend to be lower -- perhaps due to the less impressive common spaces, fewer features, or location farther from Bryggen. tag:revisit 11/1/2013
The Clarion Hotel Admiral, housed in a historic former boat warehouse on the Bergen harbor, is a solid option within walking distance of popular sights. Though the restaurant area and many of the rooms are dated and awaiting renovation (slated to be completed by November 2013), the renovated rooms are contemporary and stylish; some have balconies with views of the water. The updated room decor is on par with that at the Clarion Collection Havnekontoret and the Radisson Blu Royal, but prices here tend to be lower -- perhaps due to the less impressive common spaces, fewer features, or location farther from Bryggen. tag:revisit 11/1/2013
Hotel Oleana is a sexy, sleek hotel with a prime location in the center of Bergen, making it easy to reach many attractions within a 20-minute walk or less. The three-and-a-half-pearl hotel has an overall sultry and fun vibe that spills over into the rooms, which feature open-floor bathroom plans and semi-private showers. It’s tasteful for the most part, but visitors shouldn’t be surprised by semi-nude art. Without air-conditioning and some reports of bothersome noise, the rooms might not be ideal for all. Features focus mostly on food with a free continental breakfast and a Peruvian restaurant. As a nearby alternative, Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz is a charming boutique with a gym.
Hotel Oleana is a sexy, sleek hotel with a prime location in the center of Bergen, making it easy to reach many attractions within a 20-minute walk or less. The three-and-a-half-pearl hotel has an overall sultry and fun vibe that spills over into the rooms, which feature open-floor bathroom plans and semi-private showers. It’s tasteful for the most part, but visitors shouldn’t be surprised by semi-nude art. Without air-conditioning and some reports of bothersome noise, the rooms might not be ideal for all. Features focus mostly on food with a free continental breakfast and a Peruvian restaurant. As a nearby alternative, Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz is a charming boutique with a gym.