Thon Hotel Orion

Recently renovated rooms and an outstanding breakfast, steps from Bryggen but away from the worst tourist crush.

The location here is the quiet end of Bryggen, right next to Bergenhus Fortress. Three minutes on foot to the UNESCO wharf and the Fish Market, but far enough from the cruise ship crowds that the mornings feel calm. Rosenkrantz Tower is literally around the corner.

Everything inside has been recently renovated. The lobby has a fireplace, comfortable seating, and free coffee and tea around the clock. After a day walking Bergen in the rain, that lounge earns its keep. There's also a supply of umbrellas to borrow, grab one early because they disappear fast.

The breakfast is a proper spread. Local fish, fresh bread, smoothies, hot dishes. It's one of the better hotel breakfasts in Bergen, and in a city where a café lunch costs 200 NOK, loading up in the morning is smart economics.

Standard rooms are roughly 16 square metres. That's tight. No surprise though. That´s Thon for you. No air conditioning either, so upper floors in July turn into saunas. Fans are available, but they only do so much. 

One common mix-up: the sister hotel, Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, a few minutes away, includes a free light evening meal. This one doesn't. If a free evening buffet swings the decision, book the Rosenkrantz instead.


Book a high floor facing the harbour (Vågen) for ship views. Light sleepers should request a courtyard-facing room to dodge early morning port and street noise.


Star rating
3

Hotel category
Mid-Range

Neighbourhood vibe


The far (quiet) end of Bryggen, next to Bergenhus Fortress and Håkon's Hall. Tourist foot traffic thins out here compared to the Fish Market end, but everything central is within a 10-minute walk.

What to do nearby


0.5km
The only surviving original Hanseatic assembly rooms in the world, with smoke-blackened walls and cramped apprentice bunks that show the conditions behind Bryggen's wooden facades.
0.6km Insider pick
A six-minute funicular ride from Bergen's center to a 320-meter summit with panoramic views over the city, fjords, and islands, plus direct access to a network of hiking trails.
0.6km Insider pick
A free, one-hour hike from Bergen's city centre to a 320-meter summit with fjord views and a trail network stretching well beyond the tourist zone.

Other hotels nearby


0.4km
Breakfast, afternoon waffles, and a light dinner included in the rate, saving a small fortune in one of Europe's most expensive cities.
0.5km
The current buildings date from after the great fire of 1702, but centuries-old timber walls have been preserved inside. All 37 rooms are different. Exposed beams, dark wood, velvety textiles in deep colours, floors that creak. This is the only hotel actually inside one of Bryggen's original timber structures.
0.6km
An outstanding homemade breakfast and genuine hospitality at a price that won't wreck your Bergen budget. Rooms are compact and no-frills. No lift, no air conditioning, no minibar. If you need five-star amenities, look elsewhere. If you want a clean, honest stay in Bergen's most local neighbourhood at a price that doesn't hurt, Klosterhagen is hard to beat.