Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
five-story building that's a 10-minute walk east of the rail station on the main
pedestrian street. The rooms, which are frequently renovated, are well furnished
and have a color scheme that rivals the spring flowers of Norway. Some of the
rooms are quite large, and each comes with a small bathroom with shower. Fre-
gatten, a good restaurant offering international cuisine, is on the ground floor.
The helpful staff can arrange boat trips or bikes for guests.
Storgata 17, N-3126 Tønsberg.
&
33-00-27-00.
Fax 33-31-72-52. www.maritimhotell.com. 34 units.
850NOK-950NOK ($121-$135) double; 1,200NOK-1,400NOK ($170-$199) suite. Rates include parking and
continental breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Dec 22-Jan 5 and 4 days at Easter.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar;
laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: TV, fridge.
Quality Hotel Tønsberg
This is one of the best hotels in the area. Opening
in 2002, the five-story structure is the latest hotel to grace the cityscape of Tøns-
berg. Its bedrooms are large and most of them open onto views of the fjord. All
of them are decorated in pastels and most have carpeting. Two dozen without
carpeting are set aside for those suffering from allergies. Each bedroom comes
with an immaculately kept private bathroom with shower. Typical Norwegian
food is served at the on-site restaurant.
Ollebukta 3, N-3126 Tønsberg.
&
800/228-5151
or 33-00-41-00. Fax 33-00-41-01. www.choicehotels.com.
210 units. 850NOK-1,700NOK ($121-$241) double. Children under 5 stay free in parent's room. Rates
include continental breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar; indoor pool; fitness center; sauna.
In room: TV, minibar, hair dryer, safe.
WHERE TO DINE
Brygga
CONTINENTAL/NORWEGIAN This is a rustic-looking restau-
rant with an outdoor terrace opening onto a harbor view. The Norwegian-style
decor includes light gray tones, light-colored woods, and walls covered with
modern paintings by local artists. During the week, Brygga feels like a pub, espe-
cially when soccer matches are shown on a big TV screen. The chefs try to please
most palates, offering everything from the town's best pizzas to the dishes Mrs.
Claus serves to Santa—notably filet of reindeer and moose. We prefer their shell-
fish dishes, especially their seafood salad studded with shrimp, among other
delectable items. If you like meat, the chefs will prepare you an excellent beef-
steak with béarnaise sauce and a salad.
Nedre Langgate 32.
&
33-31-12-70.
Reservations recommended. Main courses 150NOK-250NOK
($21-$36). AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 10am-10pm.
Hanverkeren
GREEK/NORWEGIAN In an 1890 clapboard-sided house,
this establishment lures diners with a tastefully decorated dining room and a
summer cafe. The atmosphere is cozy and romantic, lying in the center of town
but only 200m (656 ft.) from the sea. It's a relaxed atmosphere, drawing both
businesspeople and local families. For a main course, try such dishes as reindeer
or the roast rack of lamb in the chef 's special secret sauce. The dessert specialty
is a lavish dish of ice cream flambéed with cognac.
Kammegaten 6.
&
33-31-23-88.
Reservations recommended. Main courses 220NOK-250NOK ($31-$36).
AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11am-3am; Sun 2-10pm. Closed Dec 23-Jan 3.
Himmel & Hav
NORWEGIAN/INTERNATIONAL This minimalist-style
cafe, decorated in bright colors, draws the discerning palates of Tønsberg. Some
of the specialties would never make the menu of a Greenpeace luncheon: rein-
deer, for example, or even whale steak. (Their whale specialty is called “Free
Willy.”) Less controversial dishes include a surf and turf of filet of beef, sautéed
with bacon and served with scampi in a Madagascar pepper sauce. This year the
