When choosing a hotel in Bergen, some travelers prefer to be as close to the UNESCO-listed wharf, Bryggen, as possible. Here, you’ll have immediate access to the photogenic maze of multicolored wooden houses with museums, boutiques, and outdoor cafés spilling toward the waterfront. We’ve hand-picked three hotels that fit the bill—read on to learn more.
## Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret
Nestled within a striking neoclassical edifice dating back to the vibrant 1920s, the **Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret** stands proudly, offering a prime location directly overlooking the harbor. Its advantageous position, adjacent to the historic Bryggen wharf in **Bergen**, makes navigating the city and its many attractions remarkably easy and convenient. The hotel’s location also offers effortless transport to and from the airport thanks to the efficient **Flybussen** service, which conveniently stops right in front of the hotel’s main entrance.
While the interiors of the **Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret** reflect a contemporary aesthetic, a careful eye will reveal the preservation of original architectural details that whisper tales of the building’s rich history. Elegant murals adorn the walls of a sophisticated lounge, frequently used for exclusive private Champagne receptions, adding a touch of grandeur. Perhaps the most distinctive feature is the rooftop lookout tower, offering panoramic views of **Bergen** and its surroundings, a privilege freely available to all hotel guests. This unique vantage point provides an unparalleled perspective of the city and its bustling harbor.
The **Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret** boasts 113 thoughtfully designed rooms, each featuring wood-style flooring that adds warmth and character to the space. To ensure a restful night’s sleep, blackout shades are provided in every room, allowing guests to control the natural light. Modern amenities such as kettles and minibars further enhance the comfort and convenience of each room. The bathrooms are well-appointed with either walk-in showers or bathtubs, with specific preferences accommodated upon check-in, ensuring each guest enjoys a personalized experience. Furthermore, the hotel provides Rituals bath products in environmentally conscious, eco-friendly pump dispensers, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.
For guests seeking captivating harbor views, the deluxe category rooms are highly recommended. However, for those desiring an even more luxurious experience, the expansive suite offers an unparalleled level of comfort and elegance. This particular suite has garnered significant attention, attracting a steady stream of celebrity guests on tour, including renowned figures like Jerry Seinfeld, Rihanna, and Sting. A visit to the hotel lobby will reveal a complete list of these distinguished visitors, adding a touch of glamour to the already impressive establishment.
Regular guests of the **Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret** are treated to a range of complimentary perks designed to enhance their stay. The generous breakfast buffet offers a wide variety of options to start the day off right, while the afternoon waffles provide a delightful midday treat. The light evening buffet, which changes nightly, features a selection of soup, salad, and a hot dish, ensuring a satisfying and diverse culinary experience. An all-day bar and snacks are also available for purchase, allowing guests to indulge at their leisure. The spacious lobby provides a welcoming and comfortable setting to relax and enjoy these offerings, particularly when the fireplace is lit, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. For those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, the hotel’s lower level houses a small fitness center complete with a sauna and steam room.
## The Hanseatic Hotel
Immersed in history, **The Hanseatic Hotel** in **Bergen** derives its name from its location within an 18th-century building that stands proudly next to the renowned Hanseatic Museum. The history of the structure stretches back even further into the Middle Ages, if it weren’t for the devastating great fire of 1702 that consumed much of this part of **Bryggen**. Nevertheless, the current centuries-old structure, coupled with its prime location adjacent to the museum, perfectly caters to travelers eager to immerse themselves in the captivating history of **Bryggen**.
Each of the 37 rooms within **The Hanseatic Hotel** is uniquely designed, showcasing original architectural details such as exposed timber walls and impressive wood-beamed ceilings. These historical elements are thoughtfully complemented by rich, contemporary color palettes, patterned wallpaper, luxurious textiles, and either carpet or parquet flooring. All rooms are equipped with modern conveniences including coffee makers and minibars, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Families and friends traveling together can opt for the standard twin bedrooms, while couples may prefer the deluxe rooms, which offer more space and larger bathrooms featuring both showers and elegant claw-foot tubs.
Despite the boutique size of **The Hanseatic Hotel**, it boasts the surprising and welcome addition of two distinct restaurants and bars. The **FG Restaurant & Bar** offers a sophisticated dining experience, serving continental fare such as fresh mussels and tender filet mignon. For a more casual dining experience, the hotel houses a Tex-Mex restaurant, reportedly the only one of its kind in **Bergen**, serving traditional dishes such as sizzling fajitas and hearty burritos. Both restaurants are well-equipped to accommodate vegetarians and children, ensuring that all guests can find something to suit their tastes. A generous breakfast buffet, featuring a range of healthy options and freshly brewed espresso drinks, is included in the room price, providing a delicious and energizing start to each day.
## Bergen Harbour Hotel
Located just a few blocks inland from the iconic Bryggen wharf, the **Bergen Harbour Hotel** offers a more intimate and personalized experience compared to some of the larger hotels in the area, which often cater to large tour groups. This boutique hotel provides a welcoming and charming atmosphere for its guests. While the lobby of the **Bergen Harbour Hotel** may be compact, it seamlessly connects to a delightful little gastropub. The gastropub is tastefully decorated with soft, inviting lighting, captivating black and white photography, and comfortable tufted leather booths. This creates the perfect ambiance for savoring one of the impressive selection of Belgian beers on rotation. Guests of the hotel also benefit from a discount at the modern Asian restaurant located conveniently next door, offering a diverse culinary experience. Additional perks include the availability of loaner bikes, allowing guests to explore **Bergen** at their own pace, laundry machines for a fee, and complimentary access to a nearby fitness center.
The 50 rooms of the **Bergen Harbour Hotel** are accessible via a winding staircase or the elevator, providing convenient access for all guests. The decor throughout the hotel maintains a consistent style, featuring bright and contemporary furnishings, light blond wood floors, high ceilings, and large windows that can be opened to let in the fresh **Bergen** air. Each room is equipped with modern amenities, including Chromecast for entertainment, mini-fridges for storing refreshments, and kettles for preparing coffee and tea. The bathrooms feature walk-in showers and basic bath amenities in dispensers, although guests may prefer to bring their own preferred toiletries. Standard rooms offer a comfortable and efficient space, while superior rooms provide more room to spread out and a better chance of enjoying views of **Bergen**, including the possibility of glimpses of the historic Bryggen wharf, from the front of the building.
B-1873