The West Coast Fjord Country - Norway - page 334

and the nearby fjord. The comfortable bedrooms are furnished in a sleek mod-
ern style. A few of the bathrooms come with a tub and shower, but most of the
units contain only a shower. The hotel is one of the best equipped in town, and
its restaurant Varthusaet (reviewed separately below) and bar are popular with
both locals and visitors.
Storgaten 1-7, N-6413 Molde. & 71-20-37-50. Fax [phone]. www.choicehotels.com. 163 units.
June-Aug 940NOK ($133) double; Sept-May 1,360NOK ($193) double; year-round from 1,495NOK ($212)
suite. Children under 12 stay free in parent's room. Rates include breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking 50NOK
($7.10). Closed Dec 15-Jan 3. Amenities: 2 restaurants; bar; indoor pool; gym; sauna; babysitting; laundry
service/dry cleaning. In room: TV, dataport, minibar, hair dryer.
Rica Seilet Hotel Molde This is the newest, and we think best, hotel
in town, rising 15 floors. Built in 2002 in a style that resembles a boat, it offers
midsize to large rooms, some carpeted, others with wood floors. Most of the
accommodations open onto views of the fjord, and some of the suites have a bal-
cony. About 30 of the rooms have showers and tubs; the rest come with show-
ers. This is a well-run “ship,” and its on-site facilities, such as an excellent
restaurant, make it a good bet.
Gideonvegen 2, N-6412 Molde. & 71-11-40-00. Fax [phone]. www.rica.no. 169 units. 850NOK-
1,295NOK ($121-$184) double; 2,000NOK-3,500NOK ($284-$497) suite. Rates include breakfast. AE, DC,
MC, V. Free parking. Amenities: Restaurant; Sky Bar; fitness center; sauna; limited room service; laundry serv-
ice/dry cleaning. In room: TV, dataport, minibar, hair dryer.
MODERATE
Comfort Hotel Nobel Originally built in 1920, this is one of the few build-
ings—and the only hotel in Molde—that was not destroyed by Nazi bombs in
the '40s. Although the reception area retains some of its antique accessories, the
hotel has been modernized and enlarged. Today it offers some of the best and the
most up-to-date accommodations in Molde in the moderate price range. A few
of the better rooms have views of the sea; these get booked up first, of course.
Each comes with a well-maintained private bathroom with shower (six have a tub
and shower). The staff can arrange trips to the museums or to the mountains.
Under separate management, Amalie, a restaurant, is on the same site; see below.
AMTM Kroghsgata 5, N-6413 Molde. & 71-25-15-55. Fax [phone]. www.choicehotels.com. 49 units.
June 15-Aug 15 750NOK ($107) double; Aug 16-June 14 1,050NOK ($149) double. Children under 12 stay
free in parent's room. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Dec 22-Jan 3. In room: TV,
dataport, minibar, iron/ironing board.
Rainbow Hotel Moldefjord Dating from the late 1940s, this building was
converted into a hotel in 1998, and right away it became one of the town's most
desirable places to stay. Opening onto harbor views, with the mountains in the
backdrop, the hotel upholds the traditions of Rainbow, the leading Norwegian
chain. Guests are comfortably housed in carpeted, midsize rooms with a choice
of twins or a “honeymoon bed.” Nearly all the small, tiled bathrooms come with
a shower (two come with a tub and shower). Complimentary breakfast is served
in your room daily.
Storgata 8, N-6400 Molde. & 71-20-35-00. Fax [phone]. www.rainbow-hotels.no. 88 units.
840NOK-1,100NOK ($119-$156) double; 1,200NOK ($170) suite. Children under 4 stay free in parent's
room. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking. Amenities: Nonsmoking rooms;
rooms for those w/limited mobility. In room: TV, minibar, hair dryer.
INEXPENSIVE
Hotel Molde In the commercial center near Torget, the market square, this
hotel first opened its doors in 1910. Regrettably, the Nazis bombed it in World