Clarion Hotel Bryggen

Harbour-side in Tromsø

We booked this hotel through a UK tour operator, Simply Sweden, and chose it for its location, which was very near the harbour and only five minutes’ walk from the Hurtigruten ferry terminal. On the whole we were very happy with our choice, though it had both pros and cons.

In addition to the location, the pros included a very good-sized room with a comfortable bed and large bathroom with walk-in shower and under-floor heating (very welcome in this climate). The room was nicely decorated although the photo on the ceiling immediately above the bed, which appeared to be of seaweed, was slightly odd. When we returned from our Hurtigruten cruise we had another room in the same hotel and found exactly the same photo in the same place, so it’s evidently a design feature but one that was lost on us! The room had a TV (which I don’t recall ever turning on) and hairdryer, but (and here are the cons) far too little storage, with room to hang only a handful of items. There were also no facilities for making a coffee or tea, which I would normally expect in a room of this general standard.

Back on the positives, we had a friendly welcome and one receptionist was especially helpful, organising a late check out for us at no extra charge and answering our questions about buses etc. She took an interest in how our Northern Lights tour had gone, and when we returned from the Hurtigruten cruise remembered us and asked about that too.

Breakfast was included and was very good. As meals here are expensive we made the most of it, and only had a very small lunch to save money. There was a choice of juices, coffee (from filter or machine espressos, cappuccinos etc.), cereals, dried and fresh fruits, various yoghurts, good rolls and bread, cheeses, cold meats, fish, jams and a selection of hot dishes. It was served in the ground floor restaurant which, if you can get a window seat as we did most mornings, has views of the harbour.

The hotel has a small fitness centre on the top floor and an outdoor Jacuzzi, also with a harbour view. We went up to look at this but never got round to using any of the facilities here.

Overall I would recommend the hotel but only for a short stay, as the lack of storage could be rather irritating if staying for any length of time.

Next tip: lunch at a nearby restaurant, Kaia

• Opinion of Price: about average
• Written February 17, 2013

Clarion Hotel Bryggen Photo: Our bedroom

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