Trysil Hotel

The location is easy to find, with good parking, and using keypad codes instead of keys was convenient. It was also nice that the room windows opened. The rest was a letdown. Breakfast was poor and inconsistent, and dinner was terrible for the price. The kids’ half-size fish was swimming in oil and was as large as my full lamb serving, which was only entree-sized. The door lock went flat and was left hanging off the door. The shower sprayed all over, even up to the ceiling, and there were unpatched screw holes in the walls. The toilet brush was broken in half and worn out, and there were no wardrobes for hanging clothes. Even by Norwegian standards, 135kr for a beer is ridiculous, especially with the brewery in the same building.

The room was noisy enough that we could hear everything from the neighbors, and towels were changed and the room vacuumed only on day 5 of our week-long stay. Hot water was available only in the morning, so there was no shower after a day on the ski slopes. The linens were good, but the mattress was much too soft for my back. At breakfast, an employee asked me to put my phone away while I was listening to an audio message, saying it bothered other guests. That struck me as strange. The whole experience felt very special, and I definitely won’t be back.

The beds were really comfortable, and having two chairs in the room was a nice touch. The hotel itself was clean and pleasant. Breakfast had plenty of bread, though no hot food. Noise from the hallway carries clearly, and the bathroom bin in our room hadn’t been emptied after the previous guests.

The restaurant was the strong part of our stay. It was fairly busy around 18:00, with about 14 guests and just one person handling hosting, waiting tables, and reception alongside one chef. Service was friendly and charming. We ordered the game and burger, both tasty and nicely presented, and the desserts were very good too. Compliments to the chef, who kept turning out meals for everyone. I’d happily return for the restaurant and bar. The accommodation is another story. Check-in and getting into the room were smooth, with no registration requirements. I understand this is a basic place, but at $90-$100 a night, a decent rest is the minimum. Room #20 was right by the stairs, so I heard people talking in the hall and coming downstairs from 07:00. The room felt tired and dusty, and the old carpet looked grotty. The TV didn’t work, and the beds were uncomfortable. There was one awful pillow with no padding, plus a large cushion without a changeable cover. Nothing felt inviting or clean, and I slept badly and felt more tired at checkout than when I arrived. Calling a hotel rustic and quaint doesn’t remove the need for basic comfort, quality, and service. Management needs to improve the rooms. I’m saying this in good spirit, since the place has a lot going for it and needs some attention. Thanks.