Straand Hotel

I stopped off in this hotel on a round trip of south Norway. It wasnt exactly cheap, 1725,- NOK for a single room bed&breafast, but parking outside was free. It was very popular though, the parking was fully packed with cars. Also its popular with Bikers. I counted 22 motorbikes parked in rows outside (maybe they do a biker discount?). Unfortunately all the bikes were parked in front of the hotels dedicated handicap parking area rendering it useless, which I though was very disrespectful. The hotel has evolved from its establishment over 100 years ago, so inside is a literal rabbit warren of creepy dark old rooms with squeaky floors that you need to walk though, all decorated like your great grandmothers living room. My room was quite small, single bed, the decoration reminded me of 80s UK hotel standard, tired carpeted floor and sort of cherry wood furniture, but all the electrical wiring is on the walls not inside the walls so showing its age. It had a basic analog over the air tv (not sure anybody uses it), but wifi did work well. The bathroom was more modern and fresh with shower no bath, and it was one of those showers that basically covers the whole bathroom floor so you need to mop up afterwards. The hotel offered meals at an outside bar/barmeal area during the day, limited menu basically burgers ("moose burgers"), fish & chips etc.. The main restaurant didnt open until late evening and they offer a buffet for 615,- NOK each which seemed a bit much. I do not believe they have an ala carte menu. Breakfast was another buffet in the restaurant area, mostly all you could wish for but for some reason they mixed the bacon with the fried eggs sort of stuck together (2x bacon per egg), maybe trying to limit how much bacon people took? Seemed a bit weird. No mushrooms, usual tasteless mini hotdog/cocktail type sausages so nothing special. Overall, I was not impressed with this hotel, but it was fine for a nights stop over.

*Pathetic guestbed/sofa in the room. I am sure people sleep better in prisons than the guestbed/sofa they have. *VERY overprized buffet in the restaurant, 650 NOK kroner pr. Person is robbery. Food ok, but not for that price. *hotel has great location and nice outdoor terrace when is great for a drink.

Outdated, overrated and overpriced. The latter while this hotel is the only one in this region; they can charge whatever they want. For instance €66,00 for two burgers and a glass of beer. I know Norway is expensive, but there are limits. They even managed to charge me for a diner for two while included in the booking.

Hotel was very busy, room was clean but no tea making facilities. Shower cubicle was a little tired and could do with some maintenance but it was clean. No toiletries provided. Meals were often on the cold side and the queues at the buffet were tiresome. Would I stay again? Probably not.