What to Consider When Choosing a Hotel in Bergen Before and After Your Havilla Cruise Adventure
- RetiredCormac
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 2
Where to stay in Bergen before and after the Havilla Cruise is a question I see asked a lot. Its a question that I asked myself - let me walk you through what I considered, together with my final choice.
TL:DR
I've done the Havilla cruise twice and each time my choice of hotel has ended up being the same. Let me walk you through my rationale for opting for the Strawberry - Home Hotel Havnekontoret.
Whilst once on board you will be relaxed as the ship takes you effortlessly from port to port, the travelling to and from the ship, which most times will require an overnight in Bergen can be a little daunting. Making a thoughtful choice on where to stay can save you time and effort while ensuring maximum comfort. Below are key aspects to consider when choosing your hotel.
Good Airport Connection
A smooth arrival starts with good airport access. Bergen Airport (BGO) is approximately 20 kilometers from the city center and serves numerous international destinations. Some hotels may offer a shuttle service, and there are taxis. We opted for public transport in the form of the Flybussen, which provides frequent connections to major hotel areas. We looked at the tram, but that would require a change to bus to get to many of the hotels.
We looked at the route of the Flybussen for convenient hotels close to stops.
Access to the Cruise Port
The proximity of your hotel to the cruise is less crucial, as long as you are staying somewhere central in Bergen. We opted to use Uber - which was well priced to take us to the port and back again. We felt the convenience was more than worth the price - especially given the larger bags that we were taking for the cruise.
Making the most of being in Bergen
We also wanted a hotel that would allow for us to drop off our bags before check-in, and collect later in the day after we checked out.
Chain Hotel v's Independent Bergen Hotel
We wanted to stay somewhere that we could depend on service and quality - avoiding a 'Faulty Towers' experience. We also wanted something that had a cosy atmosphere and homely design.
Read the review on tripadvisor
I'm a big user of TripAdvisor and would always use it as one of my inputs to choosing a hotel.
Food and Drink Options
Some hotels offer breakfast, fika and an evening meal as part of their rate. Having tried this elsewhere in Scandinavia this option appealed.
Central Location
A centrally located hotel allows for easy exploration of Bergen. The city is filled with charming streets and historical sites. Many attractions, like Bryggen Wharf and Fløyen Mountain, are within walking distance.
Final Thoughts and why we chose Strawberry's Home Hotel Havnekontoret
Home Hotel Havnekontoret is located on the historic Bryggen quay, just minutes by Uber from the Jekteviken cruise terminal (Havila/Hurtigruten). The Flybussen airport shuttle bus stops just outside the hotel - Dreggsallmenningen.
The hotel occupies a prestigious neoclassical building in the heart of Bergen’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bryggen district, surrounded by iconic wooden wharf buildings, cafés, restaurants, shops, and key sights like the Fish Market and Fløibanen funicular.
The room rate includes a buffet breakfast, complimentary afternoon fika (coffee and waffles or pastries), and a light evening meal (soup, salad, main course, dessert) daily — great for relaxing before or after your cruise without hunting down restaurants.
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