Relaxing week-long taste of Bergen and the fjords of Norway
Norway
|
Jun 21 - Jun 30, 2024
![Stephen](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/users/profile_photos/e4686742d19a0e9c8e59003ff09851cd479759e4/original-111c94af6dde22e78aa552f280f6b5b4.jpg)
My wife and I usually plan trips ourselves but I was short on time for planning our trip to Norway. Relying on kimkim and its Norway-based Ethical Travel partner greatly relieved the stress. After some initial guidance, our knowledgeable local specialist Tom Christer proposed an itinerary. We communicated back and forth a few times, with Tom providing clear answers to all questions, to refine the plan. The high point of our trip was a 4-night stay at a boutique inn called BesteBakken, in Hafslo. The owner personally hosted delicious family-style dinners and breakfasts where we had a chance to meet other travelers including quite native Norwegians. It was a great base for exploring the local region, including a glacier hike, a kayak day paddle, and a hike up Molden mountain on our own. Our family of 4 adults needed some rest as well as wonderful sights and that's what we got on this trip. Tom or others at Ethical Travel were available to answer questions during the trip, and rebooked us in advance when one boat tour was cancelled. I would not hesitate to use kimkim again.
Hotel Review
The hotel was recently built or renovated inside old wooden homes. Location is great, right in the center of action in Bergen, but the interior is a triumph of style over function. If you're seeking the style of an old hotel in Paris (in Bergen), you may like this place. But otherwise, the over-the-top interior decoration feels (and is) claustrophobic. The main entrance to the hotel is via a food service area which feels unhygienic. My biggest gripe is with the room itself. There was absolutely no place except the floor for our suitcases. Meanwhile, one corner of the room was occupied be a large wine refrigerator that few travelers will use. The bathroom was large enough, but the shower has no sills and the glass doors did not seal properly with each other or the floor, leaving deep puddles of water all over the bathroom after a shower. Neither the sink nor shower drained properly despite the recent renovation. Hotel staff were gracious and the included breakfast was tasty and luxurious. Despite it being rather cool outdoors, our room was warm and stuffy, with no air moving. We opened the window to cool off, but were awoken around 3am by someone clinking glassware in the courtyard cafe below our window.
![Tom Christer](https://cdn.kimkim.com/files/a/users/profile_photos/dc5b0ed4cd055451bb5cb9a89a966b74cbfe78c2/original-d0c9fbea935c5d13f24728c6f4dc76b3.jpg)
Hi Stephen.
It was a pleasure communicating with you and arranging your trip for the four of you. Happy to hear you were happy with the itinerary and our follow up and that you are willing to book through KimKim again.
An your feedback is both valuable to both us and for other travellers out there.
The comments are feedbacks from the Hotel Charmante is well noted, and it is not the quality we expect from them and will follow up on them with this.
All the best,
Tom