Zander K Hotel, Bergen

Trendy but relaxed hotel with Nordic-style interiors, next to the train station.

Overview

This modern 249-room hotel is bigger than it looks from the entrance, attracting all types of travelers due to its central location and affordability. It has an open layout in the lobby with a spacious bar and a lengthy communal table for drinks, including local beers and wines by the glass. The attached restaurant serves a breakfast buffet in the morning (included) and upscale gastropub cuisine for dinner. Minimalistic rooms, though compact, include cushy beds and bedside outlets.

Kimkim's Take

Lilly
Lilly Graves kimkim staff
Based on kimkim staff visit, August 2022 (Learn more)
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).

Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3.5-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +47 55362040
Hotel address icon Zander Kaaes gate 8
Free wifi

Traveler Reviews

12 total ratings, 9 with reviews
4.0 out of 5
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
3.7
Location
4.2
Staff
4.1
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.4
E
Elizabeth C.
Fort Collins, CO | Reviewed on Nov 05, 2023
Great hotel, was clean and comfortable with some modern design elements. Is a little set back from Bergen city center, but was still very easy to walk everywhere. Was convenient to be near the bus and train station for early more travel. Read more

Great hotel, was clean and comfortable with some modern design elements. Is a little set back from Bergen city center, but was still very easy to walk everywhere. Was convenient to be near the bus and train station for early more travel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in October 2023
S
Shoshana S.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Oct 06, 2023

Convenient location, good in-hotel restaurant, and comfortable rooms.

Stayed in September 2023
P
Peter S.
Bethesda, MD | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2023
Nice clean busy hotel. We felt as if we were in a cruise ship crowd because there were buses of people--a bit busier than we would have liked but didn't detract from our trip. The rooms are nice and had ample space. Friendly staff. Room was quiet. Nice option next to the train station so it was a walkable option to a lot. We'd consider it again for convenience. Read more

Nice clean busy hotel. We felt as if we were in a cruise ship crowd because there were buses of people--a bit busier than we would have liked but didn't detract from our trip. The rooms are nice and had ample space. Friendly staff. Room was quiet. Nice option next to the train station so it was a walkable option to a lot. We'd consider it again for convenience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in September 2023
A
Amber S.
Kent, WA | Reviewed on Sep 17, 2023
This one was a miss for us. Too small for three people it was a closet sized, if you have a party of three would recommend a larger room. While we were not in the room often it was too cozy for three (example, opening the bathroom door would hit the third bed). This hotel also does not do any housekeeping, you can ask for towels each day. However, given the room is so small it is rather inconvenient to also do the housekeeping for them by bringing out dishes and towels. Too much self service,... Read more

This one was a miss for us. Too small for three people it was a closet sized, if you have a party of three would recommend a larger room. While we were not in the room often it was too cozy for three (example, opening the bathroom door would hit the third bed). This hotel also does not do any housekeeping, you can ask for towels each day. However, given the room is so small it is rather inconvenient to also do the housekeeping for them by bringing out dishes and towels. Too much self service, we are not too needy but this hotel was a bit too minimal. Location was just okay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
More housekeeping options, don't squeeze three people into a closet size :)
Stayed in September 2023
Linda
Linda S.
Greensboro, NC | Reviewed on Sep 08, 2023
Great location, quiet, super and friendly staff, comfy beds. A newer hotel with a very good vibe that was full of guests from every part of the world. Read more

Great location, quiet, super and friendly staff, comfy beds. A newer hotel with a very good vibe that was full of guests from every part of the world.

Authenticity & Character
Great vibe
Location
Directly across from the main train station - super convenient!
Staff
Thomas was so helpful and friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in September 2023
Shamala
Shamala L.
Singapore | Reviewed on Jun 07, 2023
It is quite a walk from the ferry terminal especially if you are wheeling your luggage. Staff are not so friendly. The rooms are super small & the room looks like it was partially renovated. Breakfast was nice but there were not so quick to top up finished breakfast items. Read more

It is quite a walk from the ferry terminal especially if you are wheeling your luggage. Staff are not so friendly. The rooms are super small & the room looks like it was partially renovated. Breakfast was nice but there were not so quick to top up finished breakfast items.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in May 2023
R
Raj O.
Germantown, MD | Reviewed on Jul 10, 2022
Very good lobby, and great/modern rooms, located in central Bergen so you're a walking distance from most attractions and restaurants. Read more

Very good lobby, and great/modern rooms, located in central Bergen so you're a walking distance from most attractions and restaurants.

Authenticity & Character
Good lobby
Location
Very close to the port
Staff
They were nice
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nice and modern rooms
Stayed in July 2022
J
Jim J.
Live Oak, TX | Reviewed on Jul 10, 2022
Modern and well appointed. Best for those who travel by train as it's right at the station. Close enough to downtown to make walking easy. Read more

Modern and well appointed. Best for those who travel by train as it's right at the station. Close enough to downtown to make walking easy.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in June 2022
Peter
Peter B.
Lafayette, CA | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2022
Really nice modern hotel adjacent to the train station and light rail to the airport. That said, it's a bit far removed from central Bergen harbor (good and bad) and a long walk from where the fjord boats dropped us off downtown in the harbor. Read more

Really nice modern hotel adjacent to the train station and light rail to the airport.

That said, it's a bit far removed from central Bergen harbor (good and bad) and a long walk from where the fjord boats dropped us off downtown in the harbor.

Location
Train station and light rail access is awesome. Boat/fjordcruise docks not so much
Stayed in June 2022