Directory A-Z - Norway - page 1048

HOSTELS

In Norway, reasonably priced hostels (vandrerhjem) offer a dorm bed for the night, plus
use of communal facilities that usually include a self-catering kitchen (you're advised to
takeyourowncookingandeatingutensils),internetaccessandbathrooms.Somealsohave
single or double rooms with either shared or private bathroom facilities, but these often
represent poor value.
While some hostels have quite comfortable lodge-style facilities and are open year-
round, some are used for school accommodation except during summer months and others
are the cheaper wing of a hotel; occasionally prices work out more expensive than a cabin
orbudgethotel.Inmosthostels,guestsmuststillbringtheirownsleepingsheetandpillow-
case, although most hire sleeping sheets for a one-off fee (starting from Nkr50) regardless
of the number of nights.
Most hostels have two- to six-bed rooms and beds cost from Nkr170 to Nkr370. The
higher-priced hostels usually include a buffet breakfast, while other places may charge
from Nkr50 to Nkr100 for breakfast. Some also provide a good-value evening meal for
around Nkr125.
Although not all Norwegian hostels belong to the Hostelling International (HI;
www.hihostels.com ) network, many do. Where applicable, prices listed in this topic are
those for non-HI members; members pay 15% less. Check the HI website to find its
office in your home country so that you can join and qualify for members' prices in
Norway (although some Norwegian hostels will let you take out membership when you
check in). The Norwegian hostelling association, Norske Vandrerhjem ( 23 12 45 10;

www.hihostels.no ) , is HI-affiliated.
Severalhostelguidesareavailable,includingHI'sannuallyupdatedEuropeguide,while
Norske Vandrerhjem publishes the free Hostels in Norway, which contains a full listing of
hostels and updated prices for the 77 hostels on its books; it's available from hostels and
some tourist offices.

HOTELS

Norway's hotels are generally modern and excellent, although those with anything ap-
proaching character are pretty thin on the ground. Aside from individual exceptions,
it's always worth checking out the worthwhile De Historiske ( 55 31 67 60;
www.dehistoriske.no ) network,whichlinksNorway'smosthistoricoldhotelsandrestaur-
ants. The quality on offer is consistently high, every hotel is architecturally distinguished
and many are family-run. Admittedly, they can be expensive, but are almost always worth
it.