Rjukan Gjestehus

The view and really good location are the highlights, and the staff are friendly. The hotel could use some repairs, but it’s good overall. Breakfast is simple. There’s no private parking, though you can park for free in the public area behind the hotel.

Rjukan is an exciting area and well worth a visit. The heat kept us warm in -30 temperatures, and we were glad to be there. The room was comfortable, though it also felt a little creepy, and the breakfast buffet was good. Sitting in the dining room had a bit of a “The Shining” feel. The hotel seems stuck in the eighties, but the staff were friendly.

This old, worn hotel is right in the center of Rjukan and has plenty of history, so don’t expect a modern IKEA-style place. The rooms looked clean and have fridges, which could be handy for a longer stay, though there wasn’t much of a view. The hotel feels dark and could use more LED lighting. I noticed some very old, expensive leather sofas and chairs. There isn’t really an outdoor sitting area, but Rjukans oldest pub is connected to the hotel. It has a hundred years of history inside, serves pilsner and some liquor, and its opening hours can be unreliable. The hotel is seasonal too, so call ahead. Across the street there’s a small park with tables and a very good kebab restaurant. Parking is at the back, though you can walk to everything. Try their Thai soups, the restaurant has a good reputation.

Right in central Rjukan, with a grocery store next door and a kebab shop across the street. Most rooms have single beds, though a few have doubles. Krossobanen cable car is a 2 km walk, and the bus to Gaustatoppen stops just outside the hotel. A good place to stay.