Scandic Torget, Bergen

Pros

• Scandi Torget Bergen is literal steps away from iconic attractions like the Fish Market, Bryggen, and Mount Fløyen.
• Past kimkim travelers give the property's second-floor restaurant high marks for its breakfast buffet, offering up organic options and views over the harbor from 7 am to 10 am on weekdays.
• Guests can make use of the lobby's "barception" and a 24-hour shop for light meals and drinks, as well as a workspace complemented by a small tabletop fire pit.
• Rooms look onto historic Bryggen across the harbor.
• A 5-minute walk away is Scandic Neptun, a fitness center with complimentary access.

Cons

• Some travelers found the hotel noisy due to its central location, especially at night with glass recycling and street noise. The lobby was also described as very busy during the peak summer season.
• Rooms don't have air conditioning and may feel warm during summer months (less of an issue during cooler weather).

Authenticity

Scandic Torget Bergen is a modernized property set in a 1928 historical building (note that traditional facade). While contemporary, its rooms and common areas use a color palette taken from nature: deep fjord and glacier blues, forest green, snowy white, and mountain grays. Guests can pick up a "Varg Veum" book by Norwegian author Gunnar Staalesen for a crime fiction read about a Bergen private detective in the lobby's seating area. The breakfast restaurant uses locally produced products, with some items typical of Norwegian cuisine.

Location

Nestled in central Bergen, Scandic Torget is perfectly positioned for exploring cultural sites. The property is directly in front of the city's tourist information center and a 1-5-minute walk to the Fish Market (328 ft/100 m away), Bryggen, Hanseatic Museum, and Fløibanen Funicular. Meanwhile, the harbor with ferry terminals is right outside the property, as is a bus station and bus stops (the airport bus stop is 6 minutes away on foot), and the train station is an 11-minute walk. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

Various room types are available at Scandic Torget, from Standard and Superior to Junior Suites and the grand Presidential Suite. Each features comfortable mod furnishings and light fixtures, rich colors (deep blue, forest green, etc), heavy drapes for that midnight sun, pops of Art Deco design, and a view of Fløyen, Bryggen, and Vågen. Superior Plus Rooms are more spacious, while Family Rooms have a sofabed for the youngest family members. For more of an upgrade, the Master Suites offer private balconies, and the Presidential Suite has two stories overlooking Vågen. Some guests have noted that the evening street noise is the trade-off for such a central hotel.

Amenities

The hotel features a small bar at reception and a 24-hour shop in the lobby selling light fare and drinks. The breakfast restaurant on the second floor provides Fairtrade coffee and organic items, including gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegan options. The property is wheelchair friendly, with 17-22 rooms catering to those with limited mobility. Guests can enjoy complimentary access to a nearby fitness center, a 4-minute walk away at Scandic Neptun.

Family-Friendliness

Parents with kids in tow can book the Standard Family Three or Standard Family Four option (sleeping 3-4 guests, respectively). For larger parties, you'll want to request a connecting room. Cribs and infant beds are available, and extra beds for older kids can be brought in for a surcharge.