Tromsø, Norway, is a place to chase the Northern Lights and party under the midnight sun. The Paris of the North is full of contrast, and home to a range of excellent Scandi-chic hotels. While here, you can get to know more about indigenous Sami culture, visit art galleries and Arctic museums, take a whale spotting boat excursion, dance at a festival or hike the mountainous terrain on the edge of the city. And here are the best hotels to stay in while you do it.
The largest conference hotel in the city is a funky modern affair with sea views. Popular with business people who wish to work hard and play hard, the 11th-floor Skybar is a draw for local and visiting revellers. The restaurant in the hotel, Kitchen & Table, was created in collaboration with New York master chef Marcus Samuelsson. Do note, the 290-room hotel is cash-free.
From a quayside location in the city centre, Scandic Ishavshotel serves legendary multi-award-winning breakfasts. Menus here are geared toward healthy and organic eating, incorporating plenty of fresh local seafood. It’s a very family-friendly hotel. There are welcome gifts for kids, interconnecting rooms, craft activities, a play area and a dedicated children’s menu. And with single rooms available it’s also a good choice for the solo adventurer.
Breakfast, coffee, afternoon sweets and dinner are included when you book a stay at the Clarion Collection Hotel With. Themed on the old boathouses of the adjacent harbour, it has maritime decor and is named after Hans Rudolf With, the pioneering captain of a local shipping company. A rooftop chill-out area, which includes a sauna and steam room, provides panoramic sea and cathedral views. This is a place for guests seeking relaxation to fully de-stress.
Those preferring a simple hotel experience can book into the minimalist Smarthotel, a forward-thinking concept that appeals to a younger crowd. Operate your flat-screen TV via your smartphone, buy drinks from the Smartbar and pick up snacks at the Smartshop. Soup is served in the lobby to warm guests after a chilly day of exploring. An optional Nordic breakfast is available every morning.
Well placed for public transport connections and across from the airport coach stop, this Thon Hotel has an Eco-Lighthouse certificate for commitment to sustainability. It has been designed with business travel in mind, with ample meeting space, a complimentary breakfast buffet, and front desk assistance 24 hours a day. Guests have access to the gym at its sister property, the Thon Hotel Polar.
Those travelling with children will be well catered for here with cots, board games and interconnecting rooms. Pets are welcome in the 192-bedroom hotel, too, making it a truly family-friendly holiday option. On-site bicycle hire and pre-prepared picnics make healthy days out with the kids and dogs effortless. The Comfort Hotel Xpress also offers allergy-free rooms and a pillow menu.
Sister hotel to the Thon Hotel Tromsø and across the road from the airport bus, it doesn’t get much more convenient than this for international visitors. When staying here you’ll have use of an on-site gym, free coffee in the lobby and a complimentary daily breakfast. The hotel also offers hypoallergenic rooms and allows guests to bring their four-legged friends for an additional fee.
Exercise with fjord views on the 10th floor of the Radisson Blu. Or ask the front desk for the doorstep running trails. Charly’s Restaurant & Bar serves breakfast, North Norwegian dinner specialities like reindeer steak and grilled stockfish, and drinks into the night accompanied by entertainment. The 269 rooms are equally suitable for business or leisure travellers and the tourist information centre is just across the road.
The seven-storey Quality Hotel Saga has 103 bedrooms and an unusual gold geometric pattern on its exterior. Child-, pet- and business-friendly, it also offers storage for ski equipment if you’re planning a holiday on the slopes. There’s a bridal suite for honeymooning couples and soundproofed rooms as standard for those who suffer from nocturnal noise. The front desk can arrange excursions, transfers and a newspaper service.