Scandic Kristiansand Bystranda

The best hotel we stayed at on our trip through Norway 🇳🇴🤩🧡 The room was great, and we had an unexpectedly open view of the harbour. The receptionist was very nice too. Fantastisk! Takk!

There’s lots to do nearby, including swimming, a zoo, and shopping. I honestly think this is the top family hotel in Kristiansand. Reception is quick and professional when you need something. I can’t really comment on breakfast, I loved the bed too much. The pillows were a bit flat, and the mattress protector kept sliding off when I moved around in my sleep. We had two single beds pushed together, but they didn’t latch, and there wasn’t a full mattress, just two separate singles. They kept pulling apart. Our three-year-old wanted to sleep with my wife and me, but that gap felt too risky for a little one in the middle. I always get the handicap rooms even though I’m not handicapt. The bars beside the toilet make it hard to sit down, with the toilet paper holder on one side and a hand rail on the other. I’m not sure if that’s usual, but we also had to keep a close eye on our three-year-old so they wouldn’t pull the red cords.

The breakfast buffet had a wide selection, and there was nothing to complain about there. I also appreciated the hotel’s arrangement with SATS next door, which you can reach directly through the building. It’s perfect if you want a proper workout while traveling. I was there for one day. The staff were very friendly and the room was large and nice, but the AC didn’t work properly. There was a note saying it was slow, yet the temperature only fell 0.2°C over two hours, so the room stayed uncomfortably warm. Everything else was great.

If getting a workout in on a business trip is your priority, this hotel is a good fit. From 6 a.m. you can access the sports center gym, which is spacious and fully equipped. For comfort, I’d look elsewhere. The room was clean and roomy, but even with the minimalist Scandinavian look, the finish felt more like three-star than four-star. Breakfast was good, though similar hotels in the city do it better. There’s no Chromecast on the TV, so you’re limited to Norwegian channels or a few English ones. When I had a problem with the door lock, the friendly staff moved me to a higher-class room. The only differences were a mini-fridge and electric kettle. I’d call it a three-star hotel with a five-star gym, averaging out to four.