Bergen Børs Hotel
With an entrance accessed via red-carpeted steps, the Bergen Børs Hotel resides in the city's former stock exchange building dating to 1862. This prime location on a picturesque pedestrian plaza holds the Fish Market across the street from the main harbor. New owners have modernized the interiors while paying attention to the original details that have thoughtfully been preserved throughout the property.
Dining is a highlight, and the hotel's newest gem is an impressive bi-level seafood restaurant, Fresco Hall, with restored murals painted by Alex Revold in the 1920s. Meanwhile, on the hotel's third floor is Bergen's only Michelin-starred restaurant, Bare, with multicourse Nordic menus and caviar upgrades that change with the seasons (an elegant breakfast is also served here each morning). Next to the restaurant is the Chamber of Commerce Bar in a dark-lit space with mirrored walls and Tudor-style windows, which is said to have the best cocktail program in the city.
The hotel has 127 rooms and suites in various categories with bespoke furnishings and either soft gray carpeting or herringbone wood floors. What they do have in common are high ceilings and soundproof windows, as well as minibars, Nespresso machines, and bathrobes. Bathrooms have luxury touches like heated floors and natural bath products from the Norwegian brand, Fitjar in eco-friendly pumps. The superior, deluxe, and suite options are perhaps worth the splurge for more space and potential views of Bergen's colorful harbor and forested mountains. Learn more
Opus XVI
The polished 65-room hotel, Opus XVI, is housed in a former bank from 1876, one of Bergen's most famous historic buildings (across the plaza from the above hotel). Today, the building is owned by relatives of the renowned Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. They pay homage to his life and work with an in-house exhibit based on his celebrated piano concerto that gave the hotel its name. reservation
Sophisticated rooms have warm tones and luxe amenities, and each is individually designed due to architectural elements depending on where the room is located. All rooms have tall ceilings and windows, wood floors, marble bathrooms with heated floors, and are equipped with upscale amenities like Nespresso machines, French tea from Damman, and Molton Brown bath products, as well as bathrobes and slippers. Superior and deluxe rooms offer extra space, while junior suites offer sofa beds for two more guests.
The spacious lobby has a lounge and brasserie with arched windows and marble columns serving French-inspired dishes using local ingredients and seafood. Don't miss live jazz performances during the afternoon tea service on Saturdays. Guests will also dine in this space each morning for breakfast, with a complimentary a la carte breakfast menu, eschewing the typical breakfast buffet that most hotels in Norway provide. Learn more
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Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret
MID-RANGE
The Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret is in a neoclassical building from the 1920s, directly facing the harbor, adjacent to the Bryggen wharf. It's also convenient for getting to and from the airport thanks to the Flybussen, which stops right in front of the hotel. Though the interiors are contemporary, you'll find original details throughout the property, from the elegant murals in a lounge used for private Champagne receptions to the rooftop lookout tower (free for guests).
The 113 rooms have wood-style floors and come with blackout shades, kettles, and minibars. Bathrooms have walk-in showers or bathtubs (request upon check-in) and offer Rituals bath products in eco-friendly pumps. For harbor views, the deluxe category is your best bet unless you decide to splurge on the large suite, which has attracted a steady stream of celebs on tour, like Jerry Seinfeld, Rihanna, and Sting (check out the lobby display for a complete list of celebrities).
Regular guests can take advantage of the complimentary perks like the breakfast buffet, afternoon waffles, and a light evening buffet that changes nightly with soup, salad, and a hot dish. There's also an all-day bar and snacks for purchase, and you can sit anywhere in the spacious lobby and enjoy the historic space. The hotel's lower level has a small fitness center with a sauna and steam room. Learn more
Clarion Hotel Admiral
MID-RANGE
A former warehouse from 1904, the Clarion Hotel Admiral has been restored and boasts new interior additions like elegant meeting rooms and a restaurant concept called Kitchen & Table with a menu designed by Swedish-American celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. Another notable aspect is that the restaurant faces Bryggen wharf—perhaps the best downtown view. Breakfast is also served in this space, and there's seasonal outdoor dining during the summer months, so you'll likely want to bring your camera on every occasion.
All 209 guest rooms offer simple, contemporary decor, with either carpeting or hardwood-style floors, as well as flat-screen TVs, kettles, minibars, and walk-in showers with Rituals bath products. Standard rooms in the rear may feel dark, but the superior and deluxe rooms have seating areas and large windows with balconies (shared or private) with potential views of the wharf and surrounding mountains.
The spacious lobby offers seating areas for lounging and working remotely, as well as complimentary all-day coffee, tea, and water. A massage room is available for booking appointments, and a polished 24-hour front desk staff can assist with taxis and reservations to nearby restaurants. For instance, ask for help getting a table at the nearby Altuna restaurant in Augustin Hotel with a romantic 400-year-old stone cellar. Learn more
Grand Hotel Terminus
MID-RANGE
Grand Hotel Terminus is a famous historic hotel in Bergen that dates back to 1928, and many of the details have been kept intact, thanks to the current owners. They spent over a decade returning the hotel to its original glory with a refurbishment completed in 2019. Enter the lobby to find black and white tiling contrasting with the dark-paneled wood walls. Across from the entrance is a whiskey bar with stained glass windows that could have been plucked from an Ivy League university.
The 131 rooms come in four categories with either parquet wood floors or fresh carpet, as well as stocked minibars and local bath products in eco-friendly pumps. The standard rooms and bathrooms are relatively compact but have tall ceilings and windows for natural light. For more space and amenities, opt for the superior rooms that offer additional seating areas, bigger bathrooms, and Nespresso machines.
If arriving by railway, the hotel's location is right across the street from the city's train station. This transportation hub also connects to the main bus station, as well as the light rail with easy access to and from the airport. As for getting to the Bryggen waterfront, it's about 10 minutes on foot. Learn more
The Hanseatic Hotel
MID-RANGE
The Hanseatic Hotel is housed in an 18th-century building next to the Hanseatic Museum. The structure would date even further back to the Middle Ages if it weren't for the great fire of 1702 that destroyed this part of Bryggen. Regardless, between the current centuries-old structure, and its location next door to the museum, it suits travelers seeking a taste of local history.
Each of the 37 rooms is unique with original details, like timber walls and wood-beamed ceilings, which are complemented with rich contemporary tones, patterned wallpaper, thick textiles, and carpet or parquet floors. They all come with coffee makers and minibars. Families and friends can choose the standard twin bedrooms, while couples can opt for the deluxe rooms with more space and larger bathrooms with showers and claw-foot tubs.
For the size of the hotel, it is surprising that there are two restaurants and bars on-site. The FG Restaurant & Bar serves continental fare like mussels and filet mignon, while a more casual Tex-Mex restaurant (said to be the only one in Bergen) offers traditional Tex-Mex food like fajitas and burritos. Both restaurants can accommodate vegetarians and kids. A breakfast buffet with a range of healthy options and espresso drinks is included in the room price. Learn more