Gjestehuset 102

The location puts you at the end of town, where it’s dark and there are no street lamps. If the northern lights are out, you can look from a window or walk 75m south for dark skies. The airport bus stops here first, and tour pickups come here too. Shops are a 30 to 35 minute walk, which may feel far if you don’t like walking, but the price was very reasonable for Longyearbyen and good value to me. I stayed four nights in December in a single room on a solo trip. It was cosy and warm, and being able to get tea, chocolate, or coffee any time was lovely after a cold day outside. The place was quiet in the off season, but I still met fellow travelers and made friends. Breakfast had a good selection of meats, cheeses, breads, jams, cereal, milk, and juice. The staff kept things clean, the upstairs kitchen had fridges for food, there were always enough toilets and showers, and the downstairs dining room was cosy. I enjoyed my stay.

The staff were so kind and professional, and they made all the difference. The property is beautiful, welcoming, and has plenty of room to relax. I’d love to come back next year. Thank you so much.

The staff were kind, the toilets clean, and breakfast was good, so it’s a decent place to stay in Longyearbyen. The mattresses were the weak point and very uncomfortable. They need thicker ones, because with the current mattresses I could feel the metal bed supports, making sleep awful and causing back and rib pain. The room was also too warm.

The staff are a big part of the good experience: extremely kind, available, and helpful. The common rooms are nice, and breakfast is better than at many hostels, though it would be good to have a vegan waffle option. It’s a great budget choice, with lovely views and a peaceful setting, but the walk into town can be long for some. The common kitchen is far too small. Guests should take more responsibility, but the fridges and oven also need to be cleaner, and there should be more cutlery and plates. Rooms are very small, with little storage, so travel light. If someone heavy is in the bunk above you and moves around at night, you’ll hear everything. With a few improvements, it remains an excellent way to save money for activities and adventures.