Kristiansund's Hidden Gem: Thon PartnerHotel Storgata Review & Booking!
Kristiansund's Hidden Gem: Thon PartnerHotel Storgata Review & Booking!
Thon PartnerHotel Storgata, Kristiansund: My (Slightly Chaotic) Norwegian Adventure
Alright, adventurers! Buckle up, because this isn't going to be your perfectly-polished, PR-approved hotel review. This is my experience, and let's just say, things got a little… interesting in Kristiansund. Specifically, at the Thon PartnerHotel Storgata.
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- Meta Description: My honest, quirky, and sometimes messy review of the Thon PartnerHotel Storgata in Kristiansund, Norway. Accessibility, amenities, dining, and more – the good, the bad, and the slightly soggy!
Arrival & First Impressions (Or, the Time I Almost Missed the Ferry… Again)
Okay, so getting to Kristiansund… adventure! Let's just say my travel planning skills peaked somewhere around "buying a plane ticket." The hotel's website helpfully mentioned a ferry from the airport. What it didn't mention was the ferry's glacial pace and my utter ineptitude at reading timetables. I almost missed it, dashing through the terminal like a Norwegian Viking escaping a polar bear, luggage clattering in my wake.
Finally, finally, I slumped into the hotel's lobby. It was… clean. Modern, Scandinavian clean. Think minimalist chic meets functional efficiency. I appreciated the elevator (major points for accessibility, a huge plus for this old traveler's creaky knees). The 24-hour front desk was a godsend, especially since my internal clock was still stubbornly set to "delayed flight."
Accessibility (They're Trying!)
The hotel genuinely tried to be accessible. I noticed facilities for disabled guests were listed, and the elevator was a lifesaver. While I didn't personally need a wheelchair accessible room, I did appreciate the thought. HOWEVER, and this is a big "however," I didn't see any ramps at the entrance. Maybe those are tucked away somewhere, or perhaps I was just too frazzled to notice. More research needs to be done on this.
The Room: My Cozy (ish) Scandinavian Prison… Kidding!
My room? Actually, pretty decent. I had a standard room, not a couple's room, although the thought did cross my mind. It was non-smoking (thank goodness) and had those wonderfully dark blackout curtains that basically scream "SLEEP!" I didn't test the soundproofing, as I wasn't planning on anything… too loud.
It came with a nice desk and a laptop workspace (very important for pretending to work while secretly eating Norwegian chocolate). I had a decent amount of space for all my stuff, which is no small feat.
Here's where things got a little… weird.
- The bathroom phone: Honestly, I'm not sure why this exists. Did someone expect me to call the front desk from the shower? (I didn't. Partly because I didn't know how to use it and partially because… well, awkward.)
- The lack of a fridge: I needed one, so I just took my favorite snack, the chocolate, and threw it somewhere inside. I needed somewhere for water and a few other drinks, but there was no way.
- The pillows: Some people love them, some hate them. I’m somewhere between the two, but the pillows were fine for me.
The Good Stuff:
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! A necessity for any digital nomad. The internet access – wireless worked perfectly. (Except for the brief moment when I panicked thinking it was down, only to realize I'd forgotten to turn it on).
- Complimentary tea and coffee maker. A lifesaver after those ferry shenanigans.
- Daily housekeeping. My room was spotless every day.
- Smoke detector and fire extinguisher in the room. Always a good sign that the hotel is taking safety seriously.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking (and the Incident with the Cloudberries)
Now, the food! This is where things got interesting.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Standard. It was a decent spread, with the usual suspects: eggs, bacon, bread, and some rather mysterious looking fish. I stuck with the eggs. I don't do questionable seafood before 9 AM. They also did offer Asian breakfast, which had some interesting variations.
- Restaurants: The hotel does have restaurants (plural!), and they were open for lunch and dinner, but I only ate there once, because prices!
- Room service [24-hour]: Thankfully, I didn't need 24-hour room service, because… well, I'd probably be broke if I did.
- Snack bar: There was a snack bar! I'm a sucker for a good snack bar. I may or may not have consumed an entire bag of potato chips.
The Cloudberry Caper:
One evening, I decided to be adventurous. I ordered something with cloudberries (a local delicacy). It arrived. It was… an acquired taste. Think slightly tart, almost… slimy. I bravely tried, then pretended I'd finished it while discreetly feeding it to some hotel plant. Alternative meal arrangement was not necessary.
Spa, Sauna, & Relaxation (I wish!) I did not use or have the time to use any of these.
Services & Conveniences: Concierge, Laundry, and the Quest for a Hairbrush
- Concierge: Helpful and friendly. They helped me with directions, though I still managed to get slightly lost.
- Laundry service: A lifesaver. I was traveling light, to say the least.
- Convenience store: Okay, I needed a hairbrush (I forgot mine!). They had one! Saved by Scandinavia!
- Cash withdrawal. The reception staff was helpful.
Other bits and pieces that I didn't get to try (perhaps next time):
- Car park [on-site]: Available, and free of charge.
- Airport transfer. They have it.
- Meeting/banquet facilities. They have that, too. (Probably for much less chaotic events than my visit!)
Cleanliness & Safety (The Important Stuff!)
- Anti-viral cleaning products. The hotel was super clean and safe.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere.
- Staff trained in safety protocol.
Staff and Security (They're Watching… in a Good Way)
I felt safe. The security was evident, with CCTV in common areas and 24-hour front desk. The staff was overall fantastic, helpful, and friendly.
So, would I recommend the Thon PartnerHotel Storgata?
Yes, with a few caveats! If you're looking for a clean, comfortable, well-located hotel in Kristiansund, it's a solid choice. It’s a very reliable hotel, especially if you are considering a short stay. The Wi-Fi is excellent, the staff is lovely, and the location is central. Just don’t expect Michelin-star cuisine. And maybe, bring your own cloudberry-avoidance strategy.
Final Score: 4 out of 5 stars. (Losing a star for the lack of a fridge and the cloudberry incident. Mostly the cloudberries.)
Jakarta's BEST 2BR Sea View Condo: Pluit Perfection!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. We're talking about the real Kristiansund experience, the kind that leaves you slightly sunburnt, perpetually smelling of salt, and questioning all your life choices… in the best way possible. This is my attempt to navigate the Thon PartnerHotel Storgata and the surrounding chaos. Get ready.
Kristiansund: Operation "Why Did I Book This Trip?" (But Secretly Loving It)
(Disclaimer: Schedules? HA! I'm more of a "Wander around and see what happens" kind of traveler. Expect deviations, and maybe the occasional existential crisis.)
Day 1: Arrival, Attempted Orientation, and the Battle of the Herring
- Morning (8:00 AM – Whenever the Heck I Wake Up): Finally arrived in Kristiansund! After a flight that felt like it lasted longer than my last relationship, I'm at the Thon PartnerHotel Storgata. The hotel is… well, it's a hotel. Clean-ish. The view from the room? Okay, not exactly the fjords of my dreams, but hey, concrete jungle, right?
- Breakfast (8:45 AM -ish): The breakfast buffet. This is where my initial optimism took a hit. The scrambled eggs looked… suspicious. But the waffles! Oh, the waffles saved the day. I ate approximately six, justifying it with, "I'm on vacation!" Famous last words, my friends.
- Mid-Morning (10:00 AM): Attempted to "orient" myself. Walked out of the hotel and into the "heart" of Kristiansund, which, I quickly discovered, isn't exactly a roaring heart. It's more of a… quiet, slightly melancholic pulse. The colors though! Colorful houses perched on the water's edge. It’s truly picturesque.
- Lunch (1:00 PM -ish): The first proper Kristiansund food experience. I got my hands on some "Klippfisk," which is salted, dried cod. Honestly? I'm not sure what I expected, but it tasted like the ocean exploded in my mouth. I loved it. Truly. I could eat it every day.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Explored the town on foot. I’m pretty sure I wandered in circles. I did stumble upon a museum. It was about local history. Okay, I was tired of walking so I ducked in to avoid the rain. I learned about the fishing industry. Very informative.
- Late Afternoon (5:30 PM): Back at the hotel. Debrief time. The hotel room, after all, felt like a warm hug.
- Dinner (7:00 PM): Found a restaurant near the harbor. Fish soup, of course. Because when in Norway, I'm still waiting for the food poisoning I keep fearing. The soup was perfect. It was like a warm hug from the sea.
- Evening (8:30 PM - Onwards): Strolled through town. It was quiet, the air crisp. The city was the perfect end to the first day. Feeling more optimistic than I did this morning. Slept like a log.
Day 2: The Ferry Fiasco, the Island of Averøy and the Quest for the Perfect Picture
- Morning (9:00 AM): Breakfast at 9:00 AM. I'm getting the hang of the breakfast situation, it's more efficient now. Ate a couple of waffles, you know, for energy.
- Morning (10:00 AM): The plan was to venture over to the island of Averøy. This involved a ferry. A ferry system I, apparently, did not understand. I spent a gloriously chaotic half-hour trying to figure out the ticket machine, accidentally yelling at a very kind old woman who was just trying to buy her own ticket. Smooth.
- Mid-Morning (11:30 AM): Finally, on the ferry! The views were gorgeous, the spray of the sea a delicious smack in the face.
- Late Morning/Afternoon (12:30 PM - 4:00 PM): Averøy! The Atlantic Road! Pure, unadulterated beauty. The road snakes across bridges and tiny islands, a marvel of engineering. I took a million photos. Sun, sea, and stunning architecture. I'm a sucker for a good bridge. I even managed to not fall into the water which is a win.
- Late Afternoon (5:00 PM): Back on the ferry, slightly sunburnt and definitely buzzing.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner. I somehow convinced myself I was capable of cooking. BIG MISTAKE. I attempted to make pasta. It ended up in the bin. I ate some leftover herring again. Delicious.
- Evening (8:30 PM - Onwards): Back in the hotel room. I’ve had the time to reflect. The best part of the day? The Atlantic Road. The worst part? The pasta from earlier.
Day 3: The Kristiansund Church, Farewell Herring, and the Dreaded Departure
- Morning (9:00 AM): Breakfast. The scrambled eggs are still questionable. The waffles will be missed when I leave.
- Late Morning (10:00 AM): A visit to the Kristiansund Church. It's a beautiful, modern building. Peaceful. I sat in the church for a while. Thinking.
- Mid-day (1:00 PM): Last lunch in Kristiansund. One last dose of Klippfisk. I'm going to miss the taste of the sea in my mouth.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Souvenir shopping. Found something that smells like the sea. It’ll probably get thrown in the back of a drawer. I don't care.
- Late Afternoon (5:00 PM): Back to the hotel to pack. Sigh. It's all over.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Last look around the city. The colours of the houses. The water. Everything here is just… right.
- Evening (7:00 PM): One last dinner. A simple fish dish.
- Evening (8:00 PM - Onwards): The last night is a quiet one. The end of the trip is near and I'm having a hard time accepting it. The whole trip was great.
Departure (Tomorrow): Adios, Kristiansund. You quirky, salty, beautiful place. I'll be back, probably just for the herring. And the waffles, of course.
Notes:
- Things I Didn't Do (But Possibly Should Have): The opera. A boat tour. Maybe try to learn Norwegian. Maybe.
- Things I Regret Not Doing: Spending more time simply staring at the ocean.
- Emotional State Throughout the Trip: A rollercoaster. Highs, lows, moments of existential pondering. Lots of laughter. And a deep, abiding love for those damn waffles.
- Overall Rating: 8/10. Would recommend. But bring your own sunscreen. And maybe a good book. And a willingness to embrace the chaos. And maybe a therapist, just in case.
This isn't just a trip; it's an experience. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to dream about Klippfisk and waffles. Good luck, and enjoy your own adventure!
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Thon PartnerHotel Storgata: The Good, The Bad, and the Kristiansund-y
So, is Thon PartnerHotel Storgata in Kristiansund actually *good*? Like, worth the hassle?
Okay, deep breaths. Good is a strong word. It's... *Kristiansund*. Look, let's be real, you're not going to Kristiansund for the five-star luxury, are you? You're going for the atmosphere, the charming (sometimes questionable) weather, and the *klippfisk* (dried cod, for the uninitiated). So, does the hotel *fit*? Mostly. The location on Storgata is A+. Seriously, you're right in the heart of everything, a literal stone's throw from the pier. That alone is a win.
The rooms are... well, they're *there*. Clean-ish. The furniture's seen a few birthdays, let's just say that. I remember once, I was trying to open the window, and I swear I thought the handle was going to snap off in my hand. But it eventually did. So, yeah, good-ish. Bring earplugs. The seagulls are *relentless*. They're like the alarm clock from hell.
Booking a room – easy peasy or a complete Norwegian adventure? (Because I've heard things...)
Alright, let's talk booking. From my experience, it's usually pretty straightforward, online is the way to go. I remember trying to call once. The receptionist... bless her heart... barely spoke any English (and I, regrettably, speak even less Norwegian). It was a comedy of errors, involving a lot of "Ja?" and frantic hand gestures. Ended up booking online anyway. Save yourself the stress – do it online. Check multiple booking sites, too. Prices fluctuate more than the weather around there (and THAT'S saying something). Sometimes you luck out and get a deal.
Pro tip: If you’re traveling during a major festival (and Kristiansund has a few), book WELL in advance. Everything fills up. And by 'everything', I mean the few places there are to stay.
What's the deal with the breakfast? Is it worth getting out of bed for? (because, let's be honest...)
Ah, breakfast. The most crucial meal of the day, especially after a night of exploring (and potentially sampling some Akvavit). The breakfast buffet at Storgata? It's... a classic. Standard Scandinavian spread: a decent selection of cold cuts, cheeses, bread (a lot of bread, actually), yogurt, and some fruit. Nothing mind-blowing, nothing disastrous. They usually have eggs and bacon or sausage. Honestly? It gets the job done.
Here's a story for you: I was *starving* one morning, and I loaded up my plate with everything. Then, I took a bite of the *klippfisk* salad. Let's just say it’s an acquired taste. It was... an experience. I spent the next hour trying to wash the fishy aftertaste away with coffee. Learn from my mistake. Sample cautiously. Or skip it entirely.
The Location, Location, Location! Tell me about the hotel's surroundings!
Okay, *this* is where Storgata shines. Seriously, it's unbeatable. The hotel is right on Storgata, the main street. You're practically tripping over shops, restaurants (which, let's face it, are not always open), the ferry, and that gorgeous waterfront. You can stroll out the door and be soaking up the Kristiansund atmosphere in seconds.
One time, I wandered out for a late-night walk, and I stumbled upon a little concert in the square. Seriously, it was magic! Just people singing Norwegian folk songs under the streetlights. You never know what you'll find in this place, and that's the charm of it, right? It keeps you on your toes, and right outside the front door of a hotel! It is an unbeatable experience, just don't walk in the wrong direction, you could land in the sea.
Are there any downsides to staying at Storgata? (Besides the seagulls… I get it, those are a given.)
Oh, absolutely. Besides the aforementioned seagull army (seriously, invest in earplugs), it's not exactly a luxury palace. Rooms can be a bit on the small side, especially if you're loaded up with luggage. The decor is… functional, shall we say? Don't expect cutting-edge design.
Also, the elevators... they're slow. Prepare for a workout if you're on a higher floor. And sometimes (especially in the summer), it can get a little noisy at night. People are out and about, enjoying themselves. So, if you're a light sleeper who craves absolute silence, maybe this isn't the place for you. Or, you know, more earplugs.
Parking?! Because, let's face it, driving in a new country is stressful enough without parking nightmares.
Parking… *sigh*. Kristiansund isn’t exactly known for its spacious parking. Storgata has limited parking, and it fills up fast. You might have to find street parking, and that can be a bit of a hunt, especially with all the one-way streets. Check the hotel’s website for the latest info on parking options – they might have deals with nearby garages.
Here's my parking horror story: I drove around for an hour, looking for a spot, ended up parked (illegally, I confess) on a side street. Returned to find a ticket. Lesson learned? Plan ahead. Or better yet, ditch the car and take the ferry, or arrive late.
Is there anything nearby worth seeing or doing that I should know about?
Oh, absolutely! Kristiansund is all about the experiences. The harbor is beautiful. Hop on a ferry to Frei. It’s a beautiful trip by itself. Stroll through the old town, Kirkelandet. There's a cool little church too. Check out the Klippfisk Museum (yes, it's dedicated to dried cod – embrace it!).
Seriously, take a boat trip. The scenery around Kristiansund is stunning. And I highly recommend trying the local seafood. It’s fresh, it's delicious, and it's absolutely worth the price. You might even find a few hidden gems along the way. One time I walked into a tiny, family-run restaurant a bit outside the main area and had the most incredible fish soup. The kind of place where you feel like you're part of the family. Don't be afraid to get lost – that’s when you find the best stuff.
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