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


1.0km
Permanenten is the oldest of Kode's four downtown Bergen museums, and this is the one to visit if you have any interest in decorative arts, Scandinavian craft or Chinese art.
1.1km
Bergen's primary venue for rotating contemporary art exhibitions, housed in a functionalist building and covered by the same ticket that gets you into all four Kode museums.
1.2km
The third-largest Munch collection in the world, displayed in a 1916 mansion where you can see his paintings without fighting a crowd.

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