Sor-Varanger Homestays

Een erg fijn hotel. Er waren problemen met de betaling, maar dat was niet erg want 'betaal morgen maar'. Onze motoren met bepakking konden we naast het hotel parkeren. We wilden graag een wasje draaien. Daarvoor mochten we gratis de wasmachine van het hotel gebruiken. Zo lief! Het restaurant is erg goed. We hebben hier ook gedineerd, dat was echt buitengewoon goed. Het ontbijtbuffet was uitgebreid en erg lekker. Voor de verse zalm van hier zou ik gerust omrijden. Het uitzicht van de kamer was matig, aangezien het centrum van Kirkenes niet erg charmant is. Dat geeft niets, want vanuit het hotel heb je een prima uitvalsbasis naar de omgeving. Er is veel geschiedenis uit de T****e Wereldoorlog. Zo wordt er dagelijks een rondleiding door een bunker (inclusief gangen) gegeven. Wij hadden daar jammer genoeg geen tijd voor, maar het moet wel een aanrader zijn. Verder is de haven indrukwekkend met de enorme koningskrab viskooien.

We stayed here the night before we boarded the Hurtigruten from the Kirkenes Hurtigrutekai, and when we left the airport when we arrived, half the shuttle bus into town was going to the Thon and half was going to the Scandic! In all of these small towns across the coast of Norway have a Scandic and a Thon hotel! We initially booked at the Scandic but changed to the Thon last minute because we decided it might be a better option. We were dropped off outside of the hotel which was set right on the water, just a short walk to the main drag of Kirkenes. We walked into the hotel which was which was charmingly designed, very modern and cozy. Check-in was fast and easy, and the hotel room was nice and very clean! The bed was ridiculously comfortable, super soft, but we had a view of the town rather than the water, which would have been preferable. We went to breakfast in the morning and it was absolutely phenomenal. This was the first of many amazing hotel breakfasts we would experience on this trip and we were so impressed! The selection was phenomenal and the restaurant was set away from the lobby by huge windows looking out on the water. The food was great and it was a wonderful experience. This was a great hotel and though I haven't stayed at the Scandic, I would recommend this hotel if you're ever in Kirkenes — and it was just a 10 minute walk from the Hurtigruten dock.

Rooms are simple but clean, that is all what I need and whay I expect from a low budget hotel. It is in a good position nearby the shopping center and restaurants (the hotel has also a restaurant). What I really appreciate is the kindness of the staff. They were really nice and welcoming!

We arrived at SnowHotel on 25 September and stayed for 2 nights. The check in was smooth and the ladies at the check in are helpful and friendly. The cabin was fantastic , clean and comfortable with great views. There was quite a bit of construction work going on which detracts from the beauty of the place. The ice hotel is definitely worth a visit and walk around. The king crab fishing and the hike with the huskies are highly recommended . The staff and contractors involved in both activities are professional, friendly and obviously knowledgeable in what they do. We were booked for the northern lights on 25 Sept evening. It was cloudy and raining, the forecast was minimal to zero possibility of seeing the Aurora. The driver came across as not enthusiastic about the drive, nor does she show much knowledge or professionalism. All we got from the drive IN THE RAIN was being dropped off at about 3 places where the ten of us were told to get down from the bus and try to see with our cameras if there was any Aurora in The rain and cloudy skies. We were driven to the border check point with Russia - not sure why ? - it was so bright at the check point that even amateurs like us know it’s too bright to see any Aurora there!! The whole evening and the drive was a waste of time and handled unprofessionally. We understand there is no guarantee of the Aurora at anytime. BUT surely it must be clear to the professionals running the tour ( or did we assume wrongly that they are professionals?) with the rain and cloudy weather it would be better to cancel and refund us , or offer us the tour for the next night! Overall the location is beautiful but felt that there are improvements to be made and the management could and should show some interests in the feedback provided on social media.