Spitsbergen Hotel

Very relaxed

by foona about Spitsbergen Hotel

The hotel was originally built as accommodation and representational area for employees at the Mining Company; Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani. Effort has been made in preserving its special history and combining it with modern hotel facilities.

When we was there, most of the guests were Norwegian and everyone shared tips and stories. The atmosphere is very casual and laid-back. Guests walking around in thick woolen socks and fleece-pants, making waffles in the lounge, picking a book from the library and read in front of the fire.

Weekend offers

by Saagar about several hotels...

There are three main hotels in Longyearbyen, and occasionally they offer weekend packages. The smaller guest houses do not really offer packages as such, but there are off-season offers that are considerably cheaper than during the main season.

The packages from Spitsbergen Hotel http://www.rica.no/index.cfm?oa=hotel.display&con=585 , Radisson Polar Hotel http://www.radissonsas.com/g_no_sk_brand_lyrzh
and Fangstmannshotellet of Basecamp Spitsbergen http://www.basecampexplorer.com/svalbard/About/no are advertised online, in newspapers, by event organisers, by tour operators and by airlines.

There are a number of events that draw crowds as well as weekend offers and spin-off advertisements: the Polar Jazz festival, the pre-Christmas food festival, Christmas and New Year's, Mid-Winter and other more or less important festivals and events.

Sports and activity offers are often linked to flight and accommodation discounts. You just need to watch out and be ready to jump at the occasion.

Svalbard, Norway

by georeiser

Svalbard is the northernmost part of Norway, 74° to 81° North. The Svalbard Treaty recognises Norwegian sovereignty over Svalbard. However Norway's power over Svalbard has some limitations and not all Norwegian law applies. There has been a long-running dispute, primarily between Norway and Russia over fishing rights in the region. The climate is arctic cold and the environment is untouched and wild. The largest settlement is Longyearbyen ("byen" is translated "city"). It is the seat of local government and Norway's main administrative centre on Svalbard. Longyearbyen is mainly inhabited by norwegians. But there are other nationalities living there. Some refused immigrants might find it convenient to try this destination. The second largest is the Russian mining settlement Barentsburg. In addition, there are some small towns like Svea and Ny Aalesund, and the scientific station Isfjord Radio at Kapp Linné. The best way to travel around the island is by boat in the summertime, and by snowscooter in the wintertime. There are roads only in the urban areas. It's forbidden to walk unarmed outside urban areas due to the danger of polarbear. Svalbard has an international airport, located 2 km away from Longyearbyen. And Scandinavian Airlines has regular air service to Tromso and Oslo. You can enjoy the midnight sun from 19 April to 23 August. The polarnight is from 28 October to 14 February. At that time the sun never peaks over the horizon.

"Longyearbyen, Svalbard"

4 wheel drive cars can be rented. There is 50 km roads in Longyearbyen. This is a good way to see the town and explore some areas outside the town.
Artic Autorent

The photo to the left is the pedestrian area of Longyearbyen. Further up are some bars, groceries and taxfree shops.
Some useful links:
Tourist information
Longyearbyen Camping
Mary-Ann's accommodation
Spitsbergen Hotel
Radisson SAS
Basecamp Spitsbergen
Weather today
Svalbard museum