Kirkenes Hotel

I was given a room that cost less than what I’d paid, and when I asked the owner for a refund, he said he would have refunded me if I’d paid in cash. Booking.com agreed to refund me, but that can’t happen until he sends them a confirmation email. When I called later, he made a bunch of excuses for not replying to them, even though he knows that email is needed. Other guests there also complained to him about how awful the place he’d provided was. The worst place I’ve been, I’d avoid it.

There’s a Chinese restaurant in the building and two more nearby. The manager amused us enough that we nicknamed the place Fawlty Towers, and we enjoyed our stay enough to come back. It’s handy for walking to everything you need. The building is old and a bit tired, but for the price it was good.

For one night, it was acceptable. The linens and towels were clean, and having the hotel’s own parking was a plus. There’s a shared kitchen on the third floor, plus a small fridge in the room, though no kettle. The old building and rooms have seen better days: there weren’t enough outlets, the floor lamp was broken and had no bulb, and the wall light barely worked. The town’s small, so everything is close wherever you stay. It’s a three-star hotel, and that about sums it up.

There’s a kitchen with cooking facilities on the third floor, and the coffee machine is a nice touch, though it was empty both mornings we were there. My room was very basic, with a private bathroom and just enough space to sleep. It was tiny, with hardly any storage beyond wall hooks. No elevator, and the luggage lift only fits a cabin bag, not a checked suitcase.