I had avoided Norway for so long because it is the most expensive country in Europe. Understandable. As you can imagine, I was thrilled to finally be going to Bergen after dreaming about it for what seemed like forever. I was almost equally excited about staying at Hotel Oleana Bergen after obsessing over this beautiful hotel online for weeks beforehand.
I won’t bore you by describing every little thing inside the hotel room. “The room had a desk, a chair, a bed, a window…”. How boring does that sounds? If you want the little details you can check on the hotel’s website. What I am going to tell you are the top 5 things I loved about Hotel Oleana Bergen!
1. Amazing Ambiance/Decore
Spent way more time than one should in a hotel lobby sitting on that comfy couch
The first thing I noticed when I opened the door and stepped into the hotel was the incredible ambiance. Dim lighting, colourful and funky furniture, and an elegant and romantic atmosphere. I definitely felt underdressed arriving in my typical flight outfit of gym attire. Hotel Oleana has a sophisticated flare about it, one that would normally make me feel uncomfortable. You know that super ritzy house of your rich friend that is so impeccably fancy that you feel like you don’t even want to sit down or touch anything because you might break it? This was the complete opposite. The seating area of the lobby was very warm and inviting with a big comfy couch centered right in front of the big screen TV. Throughout my stay, I spent way more time than anyone should spend in a hotel lobby because of that darn turquoise couch!
2. Ideal Location
The hotel could not have been in a better location! Right smack in the center of town situated along a cute cobblestone street. I took the Flybussen bus from the airport to the first stop after the central station called Festplassen. The journey took about 22 minutes and a roundtrip ticket cost 185 NOK (approximately $22). Clarion Collection Hotel Oleana was about a 3-4 minute walk from the bus stop. It was also about a 6-7 minute walk from the famous UNESCO Bryggen area, and a 7-8 minute walk from the I h, 2 of the city’s top attractions.
When I arrived, I was a little worried that it might be a little loud at night (as most city center hotels are). But that was not the case at all. The only cars on the cobblestone street were taxis to pick up guests in the nearby hotels. There was absolutely no street noise or commotion outside of the hotel. I’m a super light sleeper, so this was a definite plus for me!
3. Complimentary Food
This might be the absolute best part about Hotel Oleana. Why? Because in the few days that I was in Bergen, I DID NOT SPEND ONE CENT ON FOOD! Norway is the most expensive country in Europe, and I didn’t have to buy food once. Score! Hotel Oleana provides 3 meals a day on the house. Breakfast consisted of eggs, bacon, roasted potatoes, cereal, a variety of meat and cheeses, fruit, juices, and coffee. I was happy that I got way more than the typical European breakfast tends to offer. The mid-day snack consisted of waffles, various fruits, and coffee. Dinner was different every night and usually consisted of pasta, chicken, potatoes, meats and cheeses, and bread.
What I particularly liked about the food choice is that all the food allergens were listed next to the items. This was particularly helpful for me due to my dreadful gluten allergy. I was very pleased with the food choices and quality overall.
4. Extremely Accommodating Staff
The beautiful and inviting entrance to the hotel. Can I stay forever?
People can really make or break your experience in a new place. But let me tell you from the very beginning that the staff went above and beyond what I expected. They were extremely friendly and responded quickly to any of my needs. What particularly surprised me is that one night they didn’t have any gluten-free options available for dinner except for salad. For those of you that know me, Im not a salad girl. I need my meat! As I was chomping away like a rabbit on my lettuce, the chef who had remembered my allergy came to the table and asked if I would like for her to make something special for me. About 10 minutes later, she came out with a lovely gluten-free pasta dish made just for me! I thought that was very thoughtful and I was basking in the wonderful hospitality.
They also printed out the bus schedule and helped me get to the bus station at 4am! All with a smile on their faces.
5. That Shower Though!
The sexiest shower I ever did see. Right inside the room!
Ok I lied, this was my favorite thing about the hotel! I might have gotten the room with the world’s coolest shower ever! That was the first thing I noticed when walking into the room. The shower was inside the room, literally! What an extremely cool design concept. The mix of the purple velvet room decor, the abstract wall paintings in the bathroom, the dimly lit bedroom, and the sexy semi-private (but not really private) shower, was a recipe for romance if I ever did see one! I was traveling alone, but it would have been very nice to share with my other half!
Other things I really enjoyed about the hotel?
- the lovely view overlooking the colourful rooftops
- the large flatscreen TV with English channels
- the blackout drapes
- the queen chair in my room
- the most powerful hotel hairdryer I ever experienced
- extremely comfortable mattress and down comforter
- 6 outlets in the room (most European hotels have only one or two)
- incredible rain shower head
What I didn’t like about the hotel?
- small sink area for toiletry items (not a huge deal)
- not enough bright lights in the room (payoff for the sensual atmosphere)
Price
Ok, this is the part you I know really want to know about. How much would a hotel like this cost in the centre of town in the most expensive country in Europe with all meals included? Around $150 USD! Eating out in Bergen 3 meal a day alone would easily set you back $75+ a day. Keep in mind that I traveled in January (complete off-season) so prices were on the low end during this time. Expect to pay more in the peak summer months.
Final Verdict of Hotel Oleana: A+
I had a wonderful time at Hotel Oleana and I was pleasantly surprised at the highly quality of accommodation for the price. If you’re looking for a cute hotel with a great location, quiet, modern and romantic atmosphere, with a friendly staff, as well as 3 daily meals included, this is the hotel for you! I would definitely recommend this hotel to my closest family and friends. I cannot say enough good things about it. I will be back, Bergen. I will be back!
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Note: a special thanks to Hotel Oleana for hosting me. My opinions, however, are entirely my own. If I don’t like something, I will definitely speak my mind!
Thank you for the blog, CT! This hotel has jumped to the top of my choices for staying in Bergen in June. I better book before it fills up.
I absolutely NEED that room with the funky shower. I see there are a few room types- standard, superior, deluxe- which type was the room you stayed in?
From the looks of it, you probably can’t go wrong with any type of room at this place.
Thanks Will! I stayed in the Standard Double. I believe the murals may be different in each room but you should still get that shower! It had a huge rain shower head too that was so relaxing. This was the most basic room, yet still so amazing! So yes, you’re probably right-you cant go wrong! June is peak season, so I would book soon :). Good luck and I hope you have a wonderful visit!
Nice photos. My question is what camera did you use? Photos impressive! I too visited Bergen and will do some blogs but I did not ” get” Bergen and came away profoundly dissapointed. The Radisson Blu hotel was also the worst hotel I have ever stayed in . Just posted this
http://arcticterntalk.org/2016/02/28/paintings-of-bergen-in-norway/
These shots were taken with my new Sony a6000! :). Ya I can totally see what you mean about Bergen. I didnt really feel that spark the first day. Then I went on a mini fjord cruise the next day and it was soooo gorgeous. Bergen is known as the “gateway to the fjords” so I think you need to experience that to really appreciate it as a whole! 🙂
I mean, the hotel looks nice, but I was very unsure while reading this if you were sponsored by the hotel. It’s good to disclose it if you were.
There is a disclosure under the Pin it picture at the end, if you look closely. I always disclose sponsored stays of course. 🙂
Okay, the shower is ridiculous in the most amazing way.
Hahaha it so was….and also equipped with the most amazing rainfall shower head! I want one in my house now hehe
Norway’s on my list for this year, so I’ll have to check this place out! What a funky hotel! I love these kinds of accommodations!
Funky indeed! It was a great find! 🙂
This hotel looks awesome! I can’t help but love a good shower in a hotel! And the food looks so tasty and amazing it was free!
Ya that was my favourite shower ever!! hehe 🙂
Cool! I have also avoided Norway, and I typically avoid hotels as well. But maybe I’ll give it a try someday!
It’s so worth it! 🙂
The older I become the more appealing those luxury options become 🙂 And for Norway standards the price is actually really decent. Love the decor!
Ya completely! For Norway it really is a steal!
omg, that shower! amazing.
haha i knowwwww 🙂
OOoooh you are making me want to go there. Beautiful pics and wonderful review. Thanks!
You should go! Bergen is such a cute little city! And complimented by this cute little hotel! 🙂
Looks like a really cool hotel, and I really need to get to Norway too! So this is a great find. Thanks for sharing.
No problem! If you need any tips about Bergen in the future, let me know! 🙂
Looks so dreamy! The decor is absolutely breathtaking!! Adding to our bucket list!
The decor really added to the amazing ambiance! I already want to go back! 🙂
Wow this looks like an amazing hotel with a lot of style, It’s a really cool choice of colours and it looks fantastic
Very stylish and modern in an old town. Very cool, I loved it obviously haha 🙂
That hotel looks fantastic and you can’t beat that price! I would love to go to Norway one day!
It really was fantastic. And ya, I cant believe that price in such an expensive country! Norway is beautiful! I cant wait to return.
Gorgeous hotel! I love the couch in the lobby – I could see myself falling asleep on that!
Right? Me too! But I didn’t outdo my welcome hahaha
OH WOW! this is incredible…that decore though! What a beautiful post, such gorgeous images!
Thanks so much!! 🙂
This space is incredible. I love your find! I really want to stay here and visit Norway now even though I don’t know much about it hahaha. Your tone in this piece makes me feel like we are best friends. Great work!
Hailey @ http://www.helloatlas.com
Aww thanks for the kind words! And Norway is amazing! I need to go back to see more!
WOW this is a gorgeous hotel..this makes me want to take a trip to Europe so bad!! That teal couch I am obsessed with in the lobby ..and that shower…wow!! What a great stay you had, lovely pics !!
Valerie
Fashion and travel
Thank you! Ya, I loved everything about the hotel! So nicely decorated as you can see! And I took several showers a day…just because hahhha
I love all the colors at that hotel! And that shower! Looks amazing!
YA I loved the purple and turquoise colors so much! Made it so relaxing. That shower was AMAZING!!! I wanna go back haha