Hotel Brosundet, Ålesund

Pros

• Located at the edge of the city's Brosendut canal, the hotel is perfectly placed to explore Ålesund's Art Nouveau center on foot.
• The property's historic features and minimalist interiors blend beautifully in the common areas and bedrooms. 
• Dining options include a complimentary breakfast buffet overlooking the canal and a brasserie-style restaurant with a multicourse tasting menu.
• The soaring lobby and cozy living areas host rotating events like wine and cheese tastings, local musician performances, and afternoon teas.
• Room 47 offers the chance to stay in the port's 150-year-old Molja Lighthouse.

Cons

• The hotel isn't easily accessible for wheelchair users due to its historic nature and lots of stairs.
• Some of the simpler rooms don't quite live up to the showstopping standards of the hotel's common areas, and those with slanted ceilings can feel cramped.

Authenticity

Hotel Brosundet weaves its origins as an Art Nouveau warehouse into every aspect of the boutique property. Original wooden beams, arched windows, and curved walls add character to the cool, modern interiors, and the common areas are inviting and cozy (it's hard to pull yourself away from the lobby's three-story fireplace, said to have stayed lit continuously for the last 30 years). Local connections are a theme here: the restaurant sources its seasonal ingredients from the region's farms and fisherman, regular live music nights showcase Ålesund-area musicians, and a fleet of vintage-style cruiser bikes make it easy to get to know the surrounding neighborhood.

Location

The property is perched at the edge of Ålesund's main waterway, the Brosundet canal, which snakes its way through the colorful, Art Nouveau center. You'll be in the middle of the action here, with attractions like the KUBE contemporary art museum and the Fisheries Museum just two minutes away on foot. The city's excellent bus system can get you to highlights like the Sunnmøre Museum, the Atlanterhavsparken aquarium, and the Aksla viewpoint within about 20 minutes. The airport is a 20-minute drive, and there's a small hotel parking lot (with an added fee) plus paid street parking available.

Rooms & Bathrooms

No two rooms here are alike; the building's origins mean quirks like slanted ceilings, arched windows, and curved walls are the norm. The decor is Scandi minimalist, with muted colors and raw textures. Standard Doubles are the most spartan, with views overlooking the cobbled street or the water, while Superior Doubles offer a little more space. The suites are the real standouts, with fjord views, separate living areas, and deep standalone tubs with Sprekenhus bath products. For the ultimate Ålesund experience, book Room 47, a tiny, romantic bolthole located five minutes away in the 150-year-old Molja Lighthouse.

Amenities

A classic Scandinavian breakfast is included in the room rate and served buffet-style in the airy lounge overlooking the canal. The hotel's charming Butikken space whips up coffee, pastries, and sandwiches, and its cozy Arkivet Bar does a roaring trade in craft cocktails and local beers. For dinner, Apotekergata No. 5's multicourse tasting menu leads you on a journey through the region's flavors. Wellness offerings include yoga classes, a fitness room, and a canal-side sauna. If you're feeling brave, do like the locals and take a bracing dive off the floating dock after your sauna session.

Family-Friendliness

Families are welcome at Hotel Brosundet, though not specifically catered to. Family rooms sleep four comfortably with extra twin or sofa beds, and extra beds and cribs are available at an added fee. Children six and above are charged as adults.