Introduction
Haugesund is a small town on Karmøy island on the Norwegian coast. It‘s located more or less halfway between Bergen and Stavanger.
Whenever I visit Haugesund, I stay at either the Scandic Hotel or the Hotel Banken. As the name suggests, the building housing the Hotel Banken was previously a bank.
Check-in is fully automated. The charge for the room is settled on the day of arrival. At around 14h00, the hotel then sends an SMS with the access code that unlocks both the main door and the room door.
Just a piece of advice: even if you‘re travelling on your own, I would strongly advise against a single bed room at the Banken, because they‘re really minute, as in you can touch both walls if you raise and stretch your arms. And it‘s not as though the double rooms are significantly more expensive.
The Room
I‘m staying in a room on the fourth floor, which is right under the roof. The room has the slightly odd shape that comes with any building that was originally built with another purpose in mind.
The chandelier is unexpected, but kind of cool.
The bed is quite hard and very comfortable.
There‘s also a water kettle available in the room, near the small sitting area.
… and what must be the world’s most inconvenient hotel room desk.
The bathroom only has a shower, no bath. There is also a window right next to the shower, so you can give the neighbours a show while you shower, if that‘s your inclination.
Fortunately, there is also a thick curtain in case you‘d rather not.
The bathroom is very clean, though.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the small dining area off to the left of reception. The buffet selection is quite small, but it serves its purpose.
I do think the breakfast spread at the Scandic is better.
But at least the Banken has plenty of chandaliers.
Conclusion
If I had to give a recommendation for the Banken or the Scandic, I‘m honestly not sure which one I‘d go for. I guess it‘s a question of where you put your priorities. The Banken is, I think, cleaner and better maintained, whereas the Scandic has the better breakfast.
“I‘m honestly not sure which one I‘d go for”
Does one have a better location? I mean, if there can be a better one in a small city like this.
In any case, it looks like a cute, charming, boutique hotel. Just some constructive criticism, maybe leave the link to the website (or social media page or whatever) for anyone who might want to book such a place in the future.
Well, the Banken is closer to the water, the Scandic is closer to the bus terminus. I‘m telling, it ain‘t easy.
I think the Banken looks rather good—–cosy even.
It was nice. But the breakfast, meh…