Scandic City

The central location made getting around easy: shops, places to eat, a mall, and the bus stop are nearby. The free ferry to Gamlebyen takes pets, bikes, and luggage too. Staff were helpful, and breakfast was nice. I did miss a few things, though. There’s no dedicated kids’ play area, unlike at many Scandic hotels, and the rooms don’t have basics like a mini fridge, iron, or kettle. The WiFi was among the worst I’ve experienced.

We slept well in a room we were happy with, and breakfast was good. The hotel is right in the city center, close to malls, restaurants, fast food, stores, and pretty much everything else. Even though we stayed just one day, we had a great experience. The reception and restaurant staff were approachable.

For a city stay, this is probably one of the better options around, though it’s not going to win any prizes. The hotel isn’t new, but refurbishments have made it look modern enough. My Superior room was spacious, with comfortable furniture, but the windows looked out at nothing. The bed was okay, though less comfortable than I’m used to, and I didn’t sleep very well. The bathroom had enough space, but I’m not keen on the shower setup since water can easily end up everywhere. Check-in was easy, even though I still dislike Scandic’s new ID-checking policy. The receptionist seemed nice. The person handling checkout the next morning seemed indifferent, and didn’t look very happy or accommodating.

Fredrikstad’s center is a great location, with parking houses just a short way away. The hotel is old, though renovations have started, so maybe it’ll improve. Breakfast was okay, but not up to the Scandic standard I’m used to. It wasn’t the best or the worst.