Bergen Børs Hotel, Bergen

Pros  

• Enjoy a beautifully-restored boutique hotel in the heart of Bergen, steps from the bustling Fish Market and UNESCO-listed wharf that dates back to medieval times.
• All guest rooms have bespoke furnishings, sound-proof windows, Nespresso machines, and heated bathroom floors.
• A stunning seafood restaurant—restored as of 2022—draws locals and celebs with an impressive wine cellar, while the Michelin-starred restaurant, Bare, requires advance reservations.
• Other notable amenities include a bar with one of the best cocktail programs in the city and a gin distillery based on the ground floor.
• Breakfast is included and there’s a 24-hour fitness center onsite.

Cons

• The moderate and standard rooms are compact and likely lack views; couples may want to upgrade to the superior rooms with more space.

Authenticity

It’s hard to miss the hotel’s neo-Renaissance architecture that dates back to 1862 when the building housed Bergen’s stock exchange. Today, new owners have modernized the interiors while paying attention to the original details that have been thoughtfully preserved throughout the property, from the expansive arched windows to the bank vaults on the third floor. Guests will also feel the brand’s distinct style as they walk up red-carpeted stairs that lead to a minimalist marble lobby. Around the corner is the hotel’s new gem, an enormous bi-level seafood restaurant, called Fresco Hall, with restored murals painted by Alex Revold in the 1920s. The spiffily-dressed staff members move between the restaurant and lobby and there may be murmurs of a particular American celeb arriving for a meeting. Whether you’re here for a drink, a meal, or an overnight stay, it's easy to see that this is one of the most sophisticated places in town. 

Location

The hotel is truly in the heart of Bergen, set on a picturesque pedestrian plaza adorned with monuments across the street from the main harbor. The front entrance literally meets up with the city’s daily Fish Market with dozens of booths dedicated to selling fresh seafood, produce, and souvenirs. Guests staying at the hotel will be in a prime position to walk to major attractions like museums, the funicular to the top of Fløyen mountain, and the colorful Bryggen wharf that dates back to its Hanseatic League heyday. Guests can easily catch the Flybussen coach with regular trips to and from the airport. Parking is available at the KlosterGarasjen garage where guests receive a 15% discount (register at the front desk), and city bikes are available for hire near the entrance.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel has 127 rooms and suites in a variety of categories with bespoke furnishings and either soft gray carpeting or herringbone wood floors. What they do have in common are high ceilings and sound-proof windows, as well as mini-bars, Nespresso machines, and bathrobes. Bathrooms have walk-in showers (bathtubs can be requested), and all have luxury touches like heated floors and natural bath products from a Norwegian brand called Fitjar, in eco-friendly pumps. The moderate and standard rooms are compact and more affordable, while the superior, deluxe, and suite options are perhaps worth the splurge for more space and potential views of Bergen’s colorful harbor and forested mountains.

Other Highlights

The hotel operates two standout restaurants starting with the all-day seafood cathedral (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) called Fresco Hall with various seating areas including a private lounge that can seat 38 people. On the third floor of the hotel is Bergen’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, called Bare, with multi-course Nordic menus—and caviar upgrades—that change with the seasons. Next to the restaurant is the Chamber of Commerce Bar in a dark-lit space with mirrored walls and Tudor-style windows, which is said to have the best cocktail program in the city. Whether you have a reservation at Bare or not, you’ll dine here every morning at the elegant breakfast buffet, included in the price, with fresh-baked pastries and organic items. The hotel also has a lounge space for remote workers with self-serve coffee and tea.