Clarion Collection Hotels - a must for self drive travellers in Norway! (Hotels in Norway in general)

Member Name: karlsm93

Product:	Hotels in Norway in general
Date:	19/01/09 (65 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Vast breakfast spreads, huge buffets, eating as much as you like!

Disadvantages: Can't think of any!

On our little adventure in Norway last summer, we opted to stay when possible in a Clarion Collection Hotel. I think we found three of them that were on our route from Trondheim to Bergen. Both the Clarion Collection Bakeriet in Trondheim (an old bakery converted into a lovely hotel) and the Clarion Collection Hotel Bryggen in Alesund both offered a huge breakfast but but more importantly a buffet dinner.

Now that may not seem something different or unique, but for two reasons it was must! As is quite well known, Norway often gets the title of one of the most expensive countries in Europe, along side Iceland and Switzerland etc. Eating out is highly expensive, even the average McDonald's meal will set you back at least £8 per person. Therefore having a huge prepared buffet with a variety of warm local dishes each night was a real plus.
We sampled freshly breaked bread every morning and night, fresh fish, a wide selection of cold meats and cheeses, as well as Norwegian brown cheese (don't be put off by its appearance). You could not have found this anywhere else for the same price, in this case paying a little extra for the room in comparison to other nearby hotels who only offered a ligght breakfast. This was the only reasonably priced hotel which offered this on our journey.

The other benefit of having a pre prepared buffet meal each evening was convenience. Our first night we arrived tired, hungry...the usual, and we were delighted not to have to frantically search for a decent restaurant just for something to fill our empty stomachs. Travelling by car in Norway can take a lot longer than it may seem on a map due to the time it takes to travel around the cliff top roads framing various fjords, and one car journey was highly underestimated and led to a a 8 hour trek rather than a relaxing four hour car journey. Therefore arriving late at a hotel which provides a warm buffet, where you can eat as much as you like was a welcome bonus.

The other Clarion Collection was at the airport in Bergen and although offering a vast breakfast unfortunately did not offer a free buffet in the evening, but it could have been ordered. However all three hotels, offered superb locations, excellent english speaking friendly informative staff and clean, fresh rooms with extremely comfortable beds.

The Clarion Hotel at Bergen Airport is a must see for anyone catching a nearly flight out of Bergen or arriving late at night, but also for those wanting to sight see in Bergen since the flybussen is outside the airport doors and takes you straight to the city centre for a very reasonable fee. It is literally a stones throw from the hotel, but even more impressive was the interior. This has to be a five star hotel in terms of decor, staff and food, but for the price of a three star hotel in Norway (remember its still Norway!). I even think they lend you binoculars if you are lucky enough to get a room facing the runway. Also, very importantly this hotel is sound proof, you cannot hear a thing once inside.

So, if you are planning a trip of your own in Norway, make sure you check out the Clarion Collection Hotels, they are a must, even for those on a budget!

Summary: Stay at the Clarion for the beds, the food and decor.