Clarion Hotel Admiral, Bergen

Pros  

• Enjoy a renovated hotel in a historic property with waterfront views of Bergen’s UNESCO-listed wharf, especially from the upscale restaurant, which offers indoor and outdoor seating.
• When it’s time to explore, guests are less than a 15-minute walk to top attractions like shopping, the fish market, and the Fløibanen Funicular.
• All rooms have modern decor, while superior and deluxe rooms have balconies—and a better chance at a front-facing view.
• An impressive breakfast buffet is included in the price and includes higher-quality additions like fresh juices and made-to-order omelet stations.

Cons

• Some standard rooms do not have views and may feel dark; it’s best to upgrade to superior or deluxe if you want to see Bergen’s mountains, waterfront, and/or historic wharf.

Authenticity

With its reddish exterior, it’s easy to spot this historic property from various vantage points in Vågen Harbor. The building dates back to 1904 when it used to be a warehouse, and it later became a hotel in 1987. Today, under the umbrella of Nordic Choice Hotels, it’s been restored again and boasts new interior additions like sleek meeting rooms and a restaurant concept called Kitchen & Table. Despite all the changes through the years, the original architectural details, particularly the large windows allowing views of Bergen’s bustling waterfront, stay the same.

Location

For visitors who appreciate a maritime vibe, the hotel is surrounded on three sides by water with boats and ferries that continually make their way across Vagen Harbor. The hotel directly faces the UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf with its colorful wooden buildings for the ultimate views. Though the location is slightly removed from the center of the action, it’s less than a 15-minute walk to the wharf mentioned above, the fish market, and other museums and attractions. It’s also a 15-minute walk to get to Bergen’s central train station. Guests can also easily walk the Flybussen stop for regular trips to and from the airport. Parking for a daily fee is available at a local garage called CityPark, and guests are eligible for a discount. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

All 209 of Hotel Admiral’s guest rooms offer simple, contemporary decor, with either carpeting or hardwood-style floors, as well as flat-screen TVs, kettles, mini-bars, and walk-in showers with Rituals bath products. Standard rooms are available for singles and doubles, though most of these rooms do not have views and can feel dark depending on the location. Superior and deluxe rooms have seating areas and large windows with balconies (shared or private) with potential views of the iconic wharf and surrounding mountains. Family rooms are also available that can fit up to two extra beds. 

Other Highlights

The hotel’s chic restaurant concept called Kitchen & Table offers lunch and dinner with some of the best views in town. The menu was created by the Swedish-American celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson and focuses on local seafood and suppliers. Room service is also available. The spacious lobby offers seating areas for lounging and working remotely, as well as a coffee, tea, and water station. A massage room is available for booking appointments, and a polished 24-hour front desk staff can assist with taxis, reservations, and special requests. 

Sustainability

The hotel belongs to the Nordic Choice Hotels and Resorts group, and the company operates an extensive sustainability program called WeCare. There are several initiatives in place at each property that aim to reduce its environmental impact. In 2019, all of the hotels stopped using unnecessary plastic products and offer ways to reduce food waste.