Scandic Ishavshotel, Tromsø

Kimkim team favorite · 4.5 (23 reviews) · Comfort
Contemporary waterside hotel with panoramic harbor views, renowned breakfast, modern dining, and convenient central location

Overview

Scandic Ishavshotel, an award-winning and stylish waterfront property, is set along Tromsø's picturesque quayside. Its prime location places guests near the Hurtigruten ferry terminal and within an easy walk of attractions like the Polar Museum. Rooms are modern, ranging from cozy standard rooms to more spacious suites with balconies and sea or fjord views, some designed with families in mind. Guests can savor the hotel's acclaimed breakfast featuring organic options and enjoy fresh, locally inspired cuisine at Roast Restaurant after a day of exploring the Arctic.

Kimkim's Take

Pros
  • Scandic Ishavshotel is right on Tromsø's quayside, offering panoramic views of the fjord harbor and city.
  • The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of the Polar Museum, shops, and restaurants.
  • You'll find easy access to transportation with a bus stop right in front for airport transfers and excursions.
  • The breakfast buffet is highly praised, ranking among the best in the country.
  • Rooms are designed with sustainability in mind, using keycards for electricity and offering optional room cleaning.
  • The hotel's architecture and modern Scandinavian vibe add a unique touch to your stay.
Cons
  • Some rooms might not have a scenic view, but the location ensures you're close to all the action in Tromsø.
  • While the hotel is bustling and lively, it can sometimes feel crowded.

Authenticity

Scandic Ishavshotel is a modern property inside and out, making use of Scandinavian design the world has come to know: simple, clean lines, minimalist aesthetic, and functional. While it may lack the charm of a historic building, its focus on sustainability, such as water and electricity conservation measures, reflects a commitment to the environment, typical of many Nordic properties. The hotel features traditional Norwegian cuisine at its Roast Restaurant, and local draft beer is served at the Roast Bar.

Location

Located by the quayside, Scandic Ishavshotel is conveniently situated near the downtown area and across the Tromsøysundet strait from the iconic Tromsdalen Church (The Arctic Cathedral). It's an easy 7-minute walk to attractions like the Polar Museum or less to various shops and eateries, and a 5-minute walk to the ferry terminal. The Flybuss airport express bus stop is directly in front of the hotel.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The rooms at Scandic Ishavshotel offer a clean and modern Nordic aesthetic with muted tones, blonde wood accents, and minimalist furnishings; every space is thoughtfully considered. Large wall-to-wall windows provide panoramic views of the fjord and sea, though some rooms face Fredrik Langes gate and might be subject to a little noise. Standard Family Rooms are a little tight in space, but most other units, particularly the Junior and Master Suites, are decently sized with plenty of floor space. For families or larger parties, consider the smaller Standard Family, Superior Family, or the spacious Presidential Suite, sleeping up to four guests.

Amenities

The hotel's standout feature is its breakfast buffet served in the Roast Lobby, which has been recognized as one of the best in the country. The Roast Restaurant (only open for dinner service) serves fresh seafood and locally produced meat prepared in an open kitchen. Meanwhile, the Roast Bar is a cozy spot for drinks with views of the Tromsø Bridge and the famous Arctic Cathedral. The hotel also provides bike rentals for a fee and is wheelchair accessible.

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3.5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +47 77666400
Hotel address icon Fredrik Langes gate 2
Free wifi
Travelers often mention

Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews

Stunning Views

Many reviews highlighted the stunning views from the rooms, particularly overlooking the harbour and being right on the water. (6 mentions)

A
“Great room with large windows and overlooking harbour”  — Adele M.
E
“it was clean, comfortable and has great views being right on the water”  — Elizabeth C.
Laura
“Stunning view from our room!”  — Laura W.
Convenient Location

The hotel is praised for its excellent location, being near many places of interest in Tromso, with easy access to bus stops and walking distance to shops and restaurants. (5 mentions)

E
“It's near a lot of the places we wanted to visit in Tromso”  — Elizabeth C.
Susan
“Very convenient location with great views.”  — Susan M.
Susan
“Walking distance to many restaurants”  — Susan M.
Transportation Accessibility

The hotel's proximity to bus stops, especially the airport bus, is a notable convenience for travelers. (4 mentions)

E
“the bus stop right in front made transportation to and from the hotel easy”  — Elizabeth C.
Susan
“Easy access to airport bus”  — Susan M.
Laura
“Bus stop out front makes traveling to the airport convenient.”  — Laura W.
Great Breakfast

Guests appreciated the breakfast buffet, commenting on the good variety and quality of the food. (4 mentions)

Susan
“Nice breakfast buffet included”  — Susan M.
Qian Tong
“the breakfast is really good”  — Qian Tong L.
Laura
“Nice breakfast with good variety.”  — Laura W.

Traveler Reviews

23 total ratings, 14 with reviews
4.5
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
4.3
Location
5.0
Staff
4.4
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.5
Gabrielle
Gabrielle W.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2024
The location of this hotel is the selling point for me. The bus to and from the airport stops right in front of it and multiple excursions use this hotel as a meeting point. If you have a room facing the correct side you would have a great view. We unfortunately did not have a nice view in our room. The staff were very nice and helpful but the room left a little something to be desired. I liked that they are sustainable so there was little notes around about how to conserve water, and you... Read more

The location of this hotel is the selling point for me. The bus to and from the airport stops right in front of it and multiple excursions use this hotel as a meeting point. If you have a room facing the correct side you would have a great view. We unfortunately did not have a nice view in our room. The staff were very nice and helpful but the room left a little something to be desired. I liked that they are sustainable so there was little notes around about how to conserve water, and you need to use keycard to work the electricity so you aren't wasting it while you aren't in the room. They also don't clean your room unless you sign up for it which I think is a good system. However, our room didn't seem like it was cleaned well before we got there because we found numerous pieces of trash around the room including a candy wrapper and empty water bottle. The first time I tried to shower the drain was so clogged the water immediately started overflowing. I had to get re-dressed and go downstairs. To their credit someone came immediately up and cleaned the drain out but it was an inconvenience. This hotel was the only one of 3 that we stayed in that didn't provide body lotion and had only a 2in1 shampoo/conditioner combo which is terrible for my hair. This hotel is located in a place that had the harshest weather so not having lotion was horrible on my skin. I didn't pack any because I was traveling from out of the country trying to pack light with little liquids. It didn't seem worth it to go out any buy lotion either since we stayed here at the tail end of our trip and would have had to throw it aw which would have been wasteful. Of the 3 hotels we stayed at this was my least favorite. Maybe I wouldn't have been so critical if I didn't have the other two recent comparisons because it was a fine stay but that is my honest review. This hotel did have the biggest breakfast of any of the 3 and it was good!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in November 2024
Chris
Chris H.
Harrison, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 01, 2024

The Scandic Ishavshotel was just a large chain hotel without much character. We stayed only about eight hours, so it was fine for a brief rest, but certainly didn’t stand out like other unique accommodations on our trip.

Stayed in October 2024
Ken
Ken Y.
Japan | Reviewed on Oct 29, 2024
Good location, convenient. Too crowded. Read more

Good location, convenient. Too crowded.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in October 2024
Sherry
Sherry W.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jul 31, 2024
The room was extremely clean and recently remodeled. The bed was very comfortable, but the view out over the harbor was spectacular! I couldn't bet enough of the comings as goings in harbor. Breakfast was outstanding offering a wide array of options. We were very pleased with this hotel. Read more

The room was extremely clean and recently remodeled. The bed was very comfortable, but the view out over the harbor was spectacular! I couldn't bet enough of the comings as goings in harbor. Breakfast was outstanding offering a wide array of options. We were very pleased with this hotel.

Authenticity & Character
The hotel has a very modern beautiful Scandinavian vibe.
Location
The view from our room on the 6th floor looked right out over the harbor. It was absolutely beautiful! The hotel is situation very close to the downtown area making it an easy walk to the Polar Museum and downtown restaurants and shops.
Staff
The staff was helpful and polite - very accommodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our room and the hotel common areas were extremely clean.
Stayed in July 2024
A
Adele M.
Canada | Reviewed on Jun 27, 2024
Great room with large windows and overlooking harbour Read more

Great room with large windows and overlooking harbour

Authenticity & Character
Interesting architecture
Location
Close to everything, easy to walk everywhere - even to the bus stop to catch the bus to the cable car
Staff
Helpful, allowed early check in
Cleanliness & Comfort
Large room, comfortable bed
Stayed in June 2024
L
Luis B.
Puerto Rico | Reviewed on Feb 14, 2024
Amazing location!! Great view of the attic ocean and steps away from all buses to all tours Read more

Amazing location!! Great view of the attic ocean and steps away from all buses to all tours

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in February 2024
E
Elizabeth C.
Fort Collins, CO | Reviewed on Nov 05, 2023
We loved this hotel as it was clean, comfortable and has great views being right on the water. It's near a lot of the places we wanted to visit in Tromso, and the bus stop right in front made transportation to and from the hotel easy. Read more

We loved this hotel as it was clean, comfortable and has great views being right on the water. It's near a lot of the places we wanted to visit in Tromso, and the bus stop right in front made transportation to and from the hotel easy.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in October 2023
Susan
Susan M.
Henrietta, NY | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2023
Very convenient location with great views.
-Easy access to airport bus
-Many tour companies pick up either here or the hotel across (Radison Blu)
-Walking distance to shops
-Walking distance to many restaurants
-Nice breakfast buffet included
Read more

Very convenient location with great views.
-Easy access to airport bus
-Many tour companies pick up either here or the hotel across (Radison Blu)
-Walking distance to shops
-Walking distance to many restaurants
-Nice breakfast buffet included

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in July 2023
Christopher
Christopher E.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 21, 2023
Great location. Lovely staff. Terrific breakfasts. Read more

Great location. Lovely staff. Terrific breakfasts.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in January 2023
Qian Tong
Qian Tong L.
Malaysia | Reviewed on Feb 18, 2023
Comfortable rooms with good view and the breakfast is really good too! Read more

Comfortable rooms with good view and the breakfast is really good too!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Quite in the centre so everything you need is close by
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in December 2022

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Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3.5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +47 77666400
Hotel address icon Fredrik Langes gate 2
Free wifi