Hotel Brosundet, Ålesund

Kimkim team favorite · 4.7 (18 reviews) · Luxury
Stylish boutique hotel in a converted Art Nouveau warehouse, complete with water views, a roaring fireplace, modern Scandi dining, and a lively bar

Overview

Hotel Brosundet is housed in two Art Nouveau warehouses that were once a vital part of Ålesund's fishing trade. Today, this stylish boutique hotel draws travelers with its Scandi-chic interiors and an enviable location overlooking the city's main waterway. Guests congregate around the hotel's three-story fireplace, and the on-site restaurant offers modern Nordic fare with an emphasis on the local and seasonal. Vintage cocktails are served amid exposed brick and low lighting in the bar (once the office of a local trader), and a floating dock and sauna complete the authentic Norwegian experience.

Kimkim's Take

Pros
  • Located at the edge of the city's Brosendut canal, the hotel is perfectly placed to explore Ålesund's Art Nouveau center on foot.
  • The property's historic features and minimalist interiors blend beautifully in the common areas and bedrooms. 
  • Dining options include a complimentary breakfast buffet overlooking the canal and a brasserie-style restaurant with a multicourse tasting menu.
  • The soaring lobby and cozy living areas host rotating events like wine and cheese tastings, local musician performances, and afternoon teas.
  • Room 47 offers the chance to stay in the port's 150-year-old Molja Lighthouse.
Cons
  • The hotel isn't easily accessible for wheelchair users due to its historic nature and lots of stairs.
  • Some of the simpler rooms don't quite live up to the showstopping standards of the hotel's common areas, and those with slanted ceilings can feel cramped.

Authenticity

Hotel Brosundet weaves its origins as an Art Nouveau warehouse into every aspect of the boutique property. Original wooden beams, arched windows, and curved walls add character to the cool, modern interiors, and the common areas are inviting and cozy (it's hard to pull yourself away from the lobby's three-story fireplace). You'll sense a personal touch in many of the hotel's offerings: the restaurant focuses on regional seasonality in its menus, the small café/bakery feels like a neighborhood coffee shop, and the quayside sauna lets you cool off Norwegian-style with a dip in the canal. Early birds can even join the local running community for a morning spin around town followed by coffee back at the hotel.

Location

The property is perched at the edge of the Ålesund's main waterway, the Brosundet canal, which snakes its way through the colorful, Art Nouveau center. You'll be in the middle of the action here, with attractions like the KUBE contemporary art museum and the Fisheries Museum just 2 minutes away on foot. The city's excellent bus system can get you to highlights like the Sunnmøre Museum, the Atlanterhavsparken aquarium, and the Aksla viewpoint within about 20 minutes. The airport is a 20-minute drive, and there's a small hotel parking lot (with an added fee) plus paid street parking available.

Rooms & Bathrooms

No two rooms here are alike; the building's origins mean quirks like slanted ceilings, arched windows, and curved walls are the norm. The decor is Scandi minimalist, with muted colors and raw textures. Standard Doubles are the most spartan, with views overlooking the cobbled street or the water, while Superior Doubles offer a little more space. The suites are the real standouts, with fjord views, separate living areas, and deep standalone tubs. For the ultimate Ålesund experience, book Room 47, a tiny, romantic bolthole located 5 minutes away in the 150-year-old Molja Lighthouse.

Amenities

A classic Scandinavian breakfast is included in the room rate and served buffet-style in the airy lounge overlooking the canal. The hotel's charming Butikken space whips up coffee, pastries, and sandwiches, and its cozy Arkivet Bar does a roaring trade in craft cocktails and local beers. For dinner, Apotekergata No. 5's multicourse tasting menu leads you on a journey through the region's flavors. Wellness offerings include yoga classes, a fitness room, and a canal-side sauna. If you're feeling brave, do like the locals and take a bracing dive off the floating dock after your sauna session.

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with hotels like this.

Get started

Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 4-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +47 70103300
Hotel address icon Apotekergata 1-5
Free wifi

Traveler Reviews

18 total ratings, 12 with reviews
4.7
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
4.8
Location
4.7
Staff
4.6
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.8
Karen
Karen W.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2024
Wonderful hotel with delicious breakfast buffet. Great location and restaurant for dinner. Really loved the vibe of this hotel! Read more

Wonderful hotel with delicious breakfast buffet. Great location and restaurant for dinner. Really loved the vibe of this hotel!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in September 2024
Linda
Linda Z.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jul 28, 2024
Larger upscale hotel that seems like it was the nicest in Alesund. Read more

Larger upscale hotel that seems like it was the nicest in Alesund.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in July 2024
A
Amy A.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 23, 2024

Our stay at Hotel Brosundet was our least favorite. We had two rooms, and both had strange slanted ceilings with awkward angles, making it hard to move around without hitting our heads. It was quite uncomfortable, especially considering the price. However, the location was great, and the service was fine

Stayed in July 2024
Larry
Larry F.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Jul 19, 2024
Best hotel in Alesand. It is just charming and one can easily just hang out in the lobby by the fire or at the spa when not experiencing the town. Rooms are a little small but appointed very nicely. Food is excellent. Overall, it is a first class hotel. Read more

Best hotel in Alesand. It is just charming and one can easily just hang out in the lobby by the fire or at the spa when not experiencing the town. Rooms are a little small but appointed very nicely. Food is excellent. Overall, it is a first class hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in July 2024
S
sunil p.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Jul 14, 2024
Excellent place , decor and location , the hotel did feel of a very good standard Read more

Excellent place , decor and location , the hotel did feel of a very good standard

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in July 2024
R
Robin B.
Newton, MA | Reviewed on Jul 08, 2024
Very congenial hotel - wonderful staff - nice room and good food. Read more

Very congenial hotel - wonderful staff - nice room and good food.

Authenticity & Character
Beautifully designed - loved big fireplace in center of lobby. Nice art.
Location
Close to all activities.
Staff
They were very kind and accommodating to us.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in July 2024
ROSA
ROSA S.
| Reviewed on Jun 20, 2024
A very nice boutique hotel!
Great breakfast! Excellent a la carte restaurant within the hotel
Read more

A very nice boutique hotel!
Great breakfast! Excellent a la carte restaurant within the hotel

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in June 2024
S
Stacia C.
Charlotte, NC | Reviewed on Oct 05, 2023
This was my favorite hotel. Beautiful décor and the huge fireplace in the lobby was wonderful to sit around and chat. Staff was great and very accommodating. Read more

This was my favorite hotel. Beautiful décor and the huge fireplace in the lobby was wonderful to sit around and chat. Staff was great and very accommodating.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in September 2023
K
Kathryn G.
Wellesley, MA | Reviewed on Aug 06, 2023
Gorgeous hotel. Great views and location. Beautiful spot for breakfast. Pillows were not great. Read more

Gorgeous hotel. Great views and location. Beautiful spot for breakfast. Pillows were not great.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean. Could use better pillows.
Stayed in August 2023
Karen
Karen M.
Mount Vernon, NY | Reviewed on May 29, 2023
Very cool hotel, comfortable bed, great breakfast buffer. Read more

Very cool hotel, comfortable bed, great breakfast buffer.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in May 2023

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with hotels like this.

Get started

Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 4-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +47 70103300
Hotel address icon Apotekergata 1-5
Free wifi