Scandic Byparken Hotel, Bergen: Go For Comfort, Stay For The Food

Very little flair—very Scandinavian

Those of you who have already been to a few spots in Scandinavia may already be aware of this, but for those who are thinking of taking their first trip to the region: hotels here are fairly basic. They will provide you with everything you need, but don’t expect luxury without spending a pretty penny on a resort.

That said, Bergen’s Byparken hotel will provide you with everything you need, but won’t blow you out of the water. If you’re the type of traveler who views the hotel mostly as a location to rest your head, and not necessarily the place where you will be spending the vast majority of your time, this is the spot for you. As you can see in the picture, the rooms here are small and basic (the birch tree themed wall-paper is as fancy as you’re going to get here). Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a bad thing either, since everything they do offer is to-the-point and efficient. Their Wi-Fi is exceptionally speedy for those who need to work while travelling, coffee-makers are spotted throughout the premises for a warm pick-me-up during a cold rainy day, and the staff are super friendly, answering any question or request with speedy accuracy and insight.

The rooms themselves come with a small desk, mini-fridge, and a television that is proportionately larger than what you would expect in a room of this size. On average, rooms run about 850 NOK (100 USD), which really isn’t bad for a country that’s known for heavy-priced everything.

Festplassen Park—the hotel’s namesake

One thing that is certainly nice about the Scandic brand of hotels—especially when you are in a city for the first time—is that they typically name the place after a nearby attraction or landmark. Therefore, the Scandic Byparken hotel is named as such because it is located by a park, the Festplassen.

The park itself is beautifully situated in the middle of the city and provides the perfect locale for a short walk either before you retire to your hotel room or to begin working off the stellar breakfast you’ve just had (more on that later).

The hotel is one mere block away from all the local haunts

The park and the hotel, both being located right in the center of the city, provide perfect access to all of the attractions Bergen has to offer. It is a mere five minutes’ walk to the Bryggen, or old town, section where most of the tourist-centered activities take place, but right around the corner from the hotel’s entrance is where most of the locals hang out and where you are most likely to run into the residents rather than the tourists.

An amazing breakfast spread

Now, on to the serious business: breakfast. The hotel has one of the best breakfast spreads I have experienced in all of Norway. Free breakfast is almost compulsory when staying at a hotel in the country and if you are staying at a hotel that doesn’t offer anything, you should probably move on to another hotel.

But that doesn’t mean all breakfasts are made the same. This one had an excellent selection of typical American, British, and Norwegian fare. The options ranged from franks and beans, to smoked salmon lox, and eggs and bacon. In particular, they had a great selection of fresh juices and smoothies. But it seemed like there were four options of each. Plus, going out to eat in Norway will murder your wallet, so taking any chance to have a good meal that comes with your room will come as a welcome respite to an already pricey country to travel in. This alone, made my stay here worthwhile.