Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Otherwise, comfortable nationwide chain hotels are the norm and the rooms can all start
to look the same after a while, whether you're sleeping in Oslo or Kirkenes. The advant-
age of these chains or hotel networks, however, is that many offer hotel passes, which can
entitle you to a free night if you use the chain enough times; some passes only operate
in summer. The main nationwide chains (whose discounts sometimes also apply in other
Scandinavian countries) include the following:
Best Western (
www.bestwestern.no
)
Best Western Rewards system operates at the 28
Best Western hotels in Norway, in addition to occasional summer deals.
Choice Hotels (
www.choice.no
)
CoveringClarion,QualityandComfortHotels,theNord-
ic Choice Club can add up to free nights if you stay in enough member hotels. In some
Comfort Hotels, you get a light evening buffet included in the price.
Fjord Pass (
www.fjordpass.no
)
Probablythepick(andcertainlythebroadest)ofthehotel
passes, the Fjord Pass costs Nkr120 (valid for two adults and any children under 15) and is
available at 170 hotels, guesthouses, cabins and apartments year-round; no free nights, but
the discounts on nightly rates are considerable. Works best if you book in advance through
its website, rather than simply turning up and hoping for a discount.
Rica Hotels (
www.rica.no
)
Free 'loyalty program' earns points that can translate into free
nights (between every six and 10 nights) at around 90 Rica hotels in Norway and Sweden.
Thon Hotels (
www.thonhotels.com
)
Another program with free membership that quali-
fies you for discounts or free nights.
PRIVATE HOMES
Tourist offices in some towns have lists of private rooms, which are among the cheapest
places to stay. In some cases, they allow you to stay with a Norwegian family. Prices vary,
butyou'llrarelyhavetopaymorethanNkr350/450forasingle/double;breakfastisn'tnor-
mally included. Showers sometimes cost Nkr10 extra.
Along highways, you'll occasionally see
rom
signs, indicating informal accommodation
typically costing from Nkr250 to Nkr400 per room (without breakfast); those who bring
their own sheets or sleeping bags may get a discount.
SUMMER HOMES & CABINS
Most tourist offices in popular holiday areas keep lists of private huts, cabins and summer
homes that are rented out to holidaymakers when the owners aren't using them; these ar-
