The Hanseatic Hotel: A Historic Stay in the Heart of Bryggen
We stayed at The Hanseatic Hotel during our trip to Bergen, and it was one of the most immersive hotel experiences we’ve had. Tucked right into the wooden buildings of Bryggen, Bergen’s UNESCO World Heritage waterfront, this hotel doesn’t just sit near the history, it’s part of it. If you want to read more about what makes this neighborhood so special, I go into more detail in my full Bergen Norway Guide.
Why We Chose This Hotel
We wanted to stay somewhere that felt connected to Bergen’s history, not just close to it. Bryggen is the city’s most iconic district, and The Hanseatic Hotel is built right into one of its centuries-old timber buildings. That kind of immersive location isn’t something you can get everywhere, and it made our stay feel like a real part of the Bergen experience rather than just a place to sleep.
The Rooms
This is a very, very old building, and that comes through in the best way. No two rooms are exactly alike here — you’ll find narrow staircases, low doorways, and quirky little architectural details that give each room its own personality. It’s the kind of character you simply can’t replicate in a newer hotel.
A couple of practical notes: because the building is so old, we’ve heard some guests mention allergy sensitivities from older wood and materials. We didn’t have any issues ourselves, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re sensitive to that sort of thing. On the flip side, our bathroom floor was heated, which was a lovely touch on the cooler days. When we were there in June, Bergen was in the mid-low 50s Fahrenheit with rain almost every day, so that little bit of warmth underfoot was appreciated.
Location
You really can’t beat the location. Staying right in Bryggen meant we could walk to restaurants, shops, and activities all over Bergen without much effort at all.
Everything felt close, and after a day of exploring, it was nice not to have to go far to get back to the hotel.
We only rented a car for one day of our trip, specifically to drive out for a Blue Ice Hike on Folgefonna Glacier, and parking was easy enough – we found a nearby parking garage and had no trouble at all.
Outside of that one day, we relied entirely on walking, and the hotel’s location made that simple.
Staff & Pricing
The staff here were helpful throughout our stay, happy to answer questions and point us in the right direction whenever we needed it.
One of the other reasons we chose this hotel was because it was a more affordable option in Bergen. Norway is a very expensive country to visit in my experience, and this hotel was in the lower-mid price point compared to other hotels in Bergen. Yes, there are more luxurious hotel options with more amenities, but be prepared to pay significantly more per night.
Breakfast
Breakfast at The Hanseatic Hotel was a nice spread, with plenty of options to start the day before heading out to explore Bergen. The breakfast spread included fresh fruits and juices, coffee and tea, and fresh breads from a local bakery around the corner from the hotel. There were eggs, lox, sliced meats and other breakfast items as well.
Breakfast was brought out fairly early in the morning – I think around 6 a.m. (don’t quote me on that, I recommend checking with hotel staff to confirm), which was ideal for us since we had some early morning hikes planned. Since daylight hours are longer in Norway in the summer than in the U.S., having an early breakfast ready to go was great.
My Verdict on The Hanseatic Hotel
If you’re looking for a hotel that puts you right in the middle of Bergen’s history, The Hanseatic Hotel delivers. The immersive Bryggen location, the character of staying in a centuries-old building, and the thoughtful touches like heated bathroom floors made for a memorable stay. Just know going in that it’s an old building with all the charm (and minor quirks) that comes with that and it won’t be as luxurious as other stays I write about on this travel blog. It was perfect for us for this particular trip, and I would stay there again if I found myself in Bergen.
For more on what to do in Bergen, including my full day trip out to the Blue Ice Hike, check out my complete Bergen Norway Guide.
Explore more hotel stays and travel guides at Lily B Travel.
