Zander K Hotel, Bergen

Pros  

• Enjoy a buzzing yet approachable city hotel with an open-style lobby, bar, and restaurant, steps from the train, and within walking distance to the heart of Bergen.
• All modern rooms have tall ceilings, blonde wood furnishings, and walk-in showers with upscale bath amenities.
• The restaurant serves upscale options for dinner including seafood, local beers, and organic wines by the glass; free breakfast is served in the morning.

Cons

• The breakfast buffet can get chaotic during peak hours when guests spill into the lobby for seating; it's best to dine before 8 am.
• Some lobby interiors, like the upholstery, are showing wear and tear and could use a refresh.
• Rooms are cleaned every third day, and room service, though marketed in the rooms, may not be operating.

Additional Notes From Lilly 

While touring hotels in Bergen, I stayed at the minimalist Zander K for two nights and was happy to return to my compact standard room and comfortable bed, which felt ideal for just me since I wasn’t in the room much. The onsite restaurant was relaxed and provided a nice dinner one night where I ordered local fish, but I was surprised at how busy breakfast became in the morning when I was leaving the hotel around 8 am. It seemed like all the guests congregated in the shared lobby and restaurant space at the same exact time and I vowed to dine earlier the next morning. This was the only time of day I noticed major crowds, as most guests staying here spend most of their time outside exploring the Bergen area.

Authenticity

The hotel’s sleek deep-blue and glass façade is a trendy addition to this area of Bergen near the train station, though judging by the rear of the exterior, the original building has been here much longer. Guests enter to find an elongated communal table and lounge seating for using free WiFi and ordering drinks from the bar, while the front desk is at the end of the room by the elevators. The hotel seems to have a younger vibe, though all ages are welcome, and it can even bring in older tourist groups who appreciate modern rooms with moderate prices.

Location

Zander K has a central location for getting to and from Bergen’s central train and bus station across the street, as well as the tram that travels to and from Bergen airport about a five-minute walk away. The surrounding streets also offer conveniences including a shopping mall with a pharmacy and grocery store, as well as cafes and restaurants. With a good pair of walking shoes, Bergen’s top attractions including the UNESCO-listed Bryggen waterfront wharf can be reached in under 15 minutes by foot. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

There are 249 rooms in the hotel, which may seem surprising due to the size of the lobby and the lack of additional common spaces. That being said, standard rooms are rather compact but modern with tall ceilings and windows, minimalistic Scandi-style furnishings, like blonde wood furniture and bedside chargers, flat-screen TVs with limited channels, narrow desks, and tiny open-style closets for hanging a few items. Bathrooms have walk-in glass showers with upscale eco-friendly glass containers of toiletries from a local Norwegian brand, including shampoo and conditioner. Bathrooms also have heated floors—a nice touch on a rainy morning. Couples can upgrade to superior rooms for more space and better views, while junior suites add sofa beds that can sleep four guests.

Other Highlights

The hotel has one restaurant called Matbaren on the lobby level in an inviting open space with bistro tables and Moroccan-style tiles. Groups are only available to book the space for lunch, but it’s open nightly to the public serving upscale steak and seafood dishes like entrecote and arctic char, as well as casual veggie burgers and gourmet pizzas. A range of allergies, including gluten, can be accommodated. The adjacent bar serves cocktails, but most guest seems to sip local beers and wines by the glass. A hot and cold breakfast buffet is served in this same space and it can become very busy after 8 am. A fitness center is available with windows facing the street. Guests are able to use the self-serve laundry facilities at the sister hotel next door for no charge (just bring laundry detergent).