Britannia Hotel

Britannia Hotel has seen its fair share of notable guests over the years, including British royals, Norwegian royals, the Japanese Emperor, and various entertainers who come to Trondheim for concerts (such as Jay-Z and Beyonce.)

The common areas impress with their historic character, from the wood-paneled Lobby Bar to the grand Palmhaven, with its fountain, palm trees, and glass roof. Jonathan Food Food & Wine Cellar is a local hot spot, and is known for its signature Jonathan Cellar Beef, cooked at the table on a hot stone. Even the meeting rooms are beautiful, and include a banquet hall with crystal chandeliers and an elegant room where the Norwegian king has dinner when he's in town.

The spa, however, is arguably the hotel's biggest highlight. It's one of only a handful of full-service hotel spas in Norway, and has a Roman bath, Jacuzzi under a faux starlit ceiling, steam room, saunas, relaxation lounge with headphones, ice fountain with Swarovski crystal backdrop, and a unique cocoon room where guests can relax in cocoon-shaped chair suspended from the ceiling. Best of all, hotel guests get free access to its facilities.

Britannia hotel has an excellent central location near the popular thoroughfare of Nordre gate, a main shopping street. It's also within walking distance of an airport bus stop and the Bakklandet area.

Trondheim is a historic city -- it was founded in 997 A.D. -- but one might not guess it upon first glance. Fires have ravaged the city regularly over the years, and today, many of the buildings are modern, though cobblestones on some of the oldest streets and the iconic Nidaros Cathedral -- its spire is the most prominent feature of the city skyline -- give some sense of its true age. To feel immersed in the city's history, visitors should head to the Old Town Bridge, which faces a colorful row of wharves (some of which date back to the 18th century), and the Bakklandet area, a revitalized shopping and cafe hub with charming wooden buildings that were once worker's houses.

Trondheim also has numerous cultural attractions. It's a university city (one in six residents is a student) with a lively nightlife scene, and there are many musical performances and festivals held here. Though this is the third largest city in Norway, the downtown area is compact and easy to explore on foot.

• 40-minute bus ride from Trondheim Airport
• 1-minute walk to Nordre gate
• 4-minute walk to the Royal Residence
• 5-minute walk to Torvet (Market Square)
• 6-minute walk to the Old Town Bridge
• 8-minute walk to Bakklandet
• 10-minute walk to Nidaros Cathedral
• 12-minute walk to Solsiden, a former shipyard that's now a trendy shopping and dining area
• 9-minute drive to the Trondelag Folk Museum
• 9-minute drive to the Ringve Music Museum