Thon Hotel Alta, Alta

• You're in a super convenient location in Alta's center, right next to the bus station, shopping center, and a short walk to the Northern Lights Cathedral.
• Rooms are bright (and colorful), spacious, and comfortable, with Superior rooms adding stocked minibars, a selection of bath products, and bathrobes and slippers.
• Though the dinner menu is limited, the breakfast buffet is excellent with a wide variety of choices, including local Norwegian specialties and freshly cooked hot fare (eggs, sausages, pancakes, etc).
• You'll have easy access to excursions and activities, with the tourist information center next door, a common pickup point.
• The staff are super friendly and helpful, speak excellent English, and can assist with arranging excursions.
• There are solid, no-fuss amenities like a gym, on-site restaurant and bar, and free coffee in the lobby throughout the day.
• Family-friendly room options that sleep up to four guests include sofa beds and kitchenettes.

• Thon Hotel Alta feels like a standard chain hotel: comfortable and reliable, but lacking a distinct sense of character.
• Rooms are similar in size across categories, so upgrades are more about amenities than extra space.
• The dinner menu is limited compared to that of larger hotels.
• While central, the hotel's location is more practical than scenic, with shops and modern buildings nearby.

Authenticity

Thon Hotel Alta is a typical modern chain hotel (it's part of the Thon Hotels group, one of Norway's largest hotel chains) that prioritizes comfort over character, so you won't find historic architecture or preserved period details here. What you will find, however, is a convenient location with comfortable rooms that provide everything you'd need, including umbrellas for when the weather isn't ideal. And if you're here during the long winter months, you'll have indoor access to grocery stores, parking, and a few restaurants, with the in-house restaurant serving a hearty breakfast buffet spread that includes Norwegian staples like smoked salmon and a small dinner menu with reindeer and stockfish as more traditional dishes.

Location

Set in Alta's newer central district, you're staying in a well-connected base for exploring the area. The hotel is in the same building as the AMFI Alta Shopping Centre with indoor access to restaurants, supermarkets, paid parking, and shops. The Northern Lights Cathedral and Nordlysbadet baths and leisure center are around the block, and the next-door tourist information center serves as a common pickup point for excursions. The bus station is right outside (including the airport "Flybussekspressen" shuttle stop), and the airport is only about 10 minutes away by car.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Rooms—as well as the rest of the hotel—are brightly colored, giving tropical vibes rather than Nordic (think canary yellow/chartreuse, cobalt/sky blue, and kelly/lime green), with accent walls treated with actual tropical-themed wallpaper. They're modern and functional, with comfortable beds, practical furnishings, and enough space to spread out; some rooms offer views over the city center, Altafjord, or Northern Lights Cathedral. Bathrooms are simple but well-maintained, with walk-in showers and adequate space. Superior rooms add thoughtful extras such as upgraded bath products, espresso machines, stocked minibars, and cozy touches like bathrobes and slippers, while Standard Triple/Family rooms include sofa beds and kitchenettes. Wheelchair-friendly rooms are also available.

Amenities

The breakfast buffet (included in your stay) is a highlight. You can choose from a wide variety of hot and cold options, including freshly prepared and regularly stocked eggs, sausages, beans, pancakes, porridge, etc., fresh breads, pastries, cereals, yogurt, jams and spreads, as well as small touches like beetroot or carrot energy shots (great if you're visiting in the winter months!). There's also the casual in-house Brasseri Alta restaurant and bar, serving a small evening menu Tuesday to Saturday and a decent selection of wines, a gym, and a spacious lobby with free coffee available throughout the day. 

Family-Friendliness

Families are well accommodated with rooms that can sleep up to four guests, including sofa beds and, in some cases, kitchenettes for simple meal prep. The hotel restaurant has a kids' menu with a couple of options (chicken fingers and meatball penne).