SIMPLY THE BEST HOTEL IN STAVANGER, NORWAY!…read more I have had the great pleasure of staying at the St. Svithun Hotel for the past three consecutive years (2010, 2011 and 2012), and there are many reasons why I keep coming back. Whenever I visit Norway, I have to visit Stavanger--and I have to stay at St. Svithun. I must admit that when I first booked a room at St. Svithun back in 2010, I was a little apprehensive when I heard that the hotel was "connected" to a hospital. I have never heard of such a thing. However, as soon as I arrived, I realized the advantages of having both a hotel and a hospital located adjacent to one another. In fact, when I had a minor medical emergency during my first visit, I was so thankful that the emergency room was only around the corner of the building (I was also thankful for the smart and practical Norwegian healthcare system because I ended up paying less than $20 (US) for complete treatment of my ailment). What do I like best about this hotel? Let me count the ways: 1. The hotel staff go out of their way to help in every way possible, whether it's more towels in the room to preparing a packed lunch for a day of hiking, to providing public transportation suggestions in the downtown area. 2. The hotel has a fantastic restaurant called, Cafe Morgenrød with very interesting "theme nights" that showcase international cuisines. Compliments to the chef! 3. The 24-hour gift shop and snack bar located in the lobby has everything one would need, from a delicious midnight snack (pølse sausages, hot sandwiches, and Norwegian ice cream, "Soft-Is") to late night reading from the latest best-selling novels. There's also a great selection of men and women's toiletries, over-the-counter medication, and other travel essentials. 4. The hotel is impeccably clean. Since it's tied to a hospital, St. Svithun is one of the cleanest hotels I have ever experienced. They have an incredible housekeeping staff! 5. The room rates are the most reasonable I have seen throughout Europe, and an especially excellent deal in the super-expensive country of Norway. 6. The hotel has buses at the corner stop that head straight to Stavanger's city center and beautiful Vagen Harbor. 7. Lastly, the newborns that one sees every once in a while are both heart-warming and lovely. There's nothing like seeing happy couples with their cute babies in tiny see-through movable basins. That's probably my most lasting image of this truly unique and magnificent hotel. When I visit Stavanger again, I definitely plan to make my hotel reservations at St. Svithun. Tusen takk (many thanks) St. Svithun. You are SIMPLY THE BEST!

A different hostel! This is not at all where you would expect to find a hostel…read more It is connected in par with the hospital, which at first I was a bit uncomfortable. The reception is in the main entrance of the hospital as well. There is apparently a hotel and hostel; However, I stayed in the hostel. The price is decent for hostel so I booked a bed anyways. At first expected my room to be in the same location as the other hostel rooms but I was not told they were overbooked. The receptionist showed me to the room and told my to go through the dining room (which was closed) and go right where you will find the room. The room was a office meeting room (large table and all) with a cot in the corner. I was not mad, I just thought it was funny and quite odd. I finally was told there was a whole hostel area on the bottom floor with a kitchen and everything, I had no idea! The best part of the hostel was the breakfast. It was fantastic and delicious!! All you can eat fresh food, coffee, everything. That made up the whole experience. I recommend this hostel if you are not picky about places to sleep and don't mind dining with new-born babies, because trust me, the breakfast is worth it!