Britannia Hotel
One Michelin Key
Hotel Details
Location
Britannia Hotel · Trondheim, Norway
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Key Highlights
- ✓Service: The staff are frequently described as warm, unusually helpful, professional, attentive, and exceptional.
- ✓Design & Ambiance: The hotel's interior is noted for its beautiful, luxurious, and well-maintained design, blending historic charm with modern elegance.
- ✓Britannia Bar and Vinbaren: Offer excellent drinks and a sophisticated atmosphere.
Expert Review: Britannia Hotel
The Britannia Hotel in Trondheim, Norway, a distinguished Michelin One-Key property, consistently garners high praise for its luxurious offerings and exceptional service. Following a comprehensive three-year, $160 million renovation that concluded in 2019, the historic hotel has re-established itself as a pinnacle of modern luxury and hospitality.
Overall Rating & Sentiment
The Britannia Hotel is overwhelmingly rated as "wonderful" or "excellent" by guests, with average scores frequently exceeding 9 out of 10 across various platforms. The general sentiment is one of awe and appreciation for a first-rate operation in every respect, with many guests describing it as the nicest and most beautiful hotel they have ever experienced.
Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud several aspects of the Britannia Hotel:
- Service: The staff are frequently described as warm, unusually helpful, professional, attentive, and exceptional.
- Location: Its central location is a major draw, offering convenient access to shopping, dining, and key Trondheim attractions.
- Design & Ambiance: The hotel's interior is noted for its beautiful, luxurious, and well-maintained design, blending historic charm with modern elegance.
- Amenities: The impressive spa and wellness center, complete with a heated lap pool, mineral pool, jacuzzis, saunas, steam room, and a 24-hour gym, is a significant highlight. The hotel is also recognized as a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
Room Quality
The rooms at Britannia Hotel are consistently described as impeccable, luxurious, comfortable, and beautifully designed. They feature sumptuous Hästens beds, marble bathrooms, and high-end amenities from Maison Francis Kurkdjian. Some junior suites even boast a unique two-story layout with a living room, two bathrooms, and a bedroom, offering a private cinema-like experience with a TV hidden in a wooden panel. Standard rooms are also well-appointed, with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tea/coffee facilities.
Dining Experience
The dining experience at Britannia Hotel is a major highlight, with multiple esteemed options:
- Speilsalen: The flagship restaurant, led by Michelin-starred chef Christopher Davidsen, offers a 10-course tasting menu of Scandinavian cuisine in a grand ballroom setting and proudly holds a Michelin star. Reservations are highly recommended several weeks or months in advance.
- Palmehaven: This iconic grand dining hall, with its oasis-themed decor and changing ceiling lights, serves a sumptuous and impressive buffet and à la carte breakfast, often featuring a dedicated "breakfast Champagne menu." It also offers weekday lunch buffets and weekend afternoon tea.
- Jonathan Grill: Norway's first restaurant with smoke-free Japanese table grills, where guests can cook their own meats, seafood, and vegetables.
- Brasserie Britannia: A casual, all-day French-bistro popular with both locals and hotel guests.
- Britannia Bar and Vinbaren: Offer excellent drinks and a sophisticated atmosphere.
Service & Staff
Guest feedback consistently highlights the exceptional quality of the service and staff. They are frequently described as warm, friendly, polite, attentive, and highly professional. Staff members are praised for being helpful, effective at resolving issues, and providing traditional Norwegian warmth without being overly fussy.
Location & Accessibility
The Britannia Hotel boasts a prime location in the city center of Trondheim, making it incredibly convenient for exploring the city. It is within easy walking distance of major attractions such as the Nidaros Cathedral, the historic Old Town Bridge (Lykkens Portal), the Nidelva River, and various shops and restaurants. For transport, the airport express bus stops near the hotel's main entrance, and the Trondheim Central Station is a short 10-15 minute walk away. Valet parking and nearby self-service parking are available for those arriving by car.
Value & Pricing
As a Michelin One-Key and "The Leading Hotels of the World" property, the Britannia Hotel is positioned as a luxury destination. While specific pricing isn't always detailed in reviews, the general sentiment implies a premium cost, with guests suggesting it's "worth the splurge" for the unparalleled luxury and experience. It caters to affluent travelers seeking decadence and high levels of service.
Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor points have been raised by guests:
- Some reviews mentioned that certain spa facilities were out of order during their visit, although refunds were provided.
- One guest noted that their room was "small and cramped," which contrasts with the general perception of spacious and luxurious rooms.
- A comment about the lighting in the room requiring "an advanced degree to figure out" suggests some minor usability issues with in-room technology.
It is important to distinguish that negative feedback regarding "Britannia Hotels" found on some review sites (e.g., Trustpilot) often refers to the broader chain, and the Trondheim property consistently receives vastly superior feedback regarding cleanliness, facilities, and staff behavior.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •A comment about the lighting in the room requiring "an advanced degree to figure out" suggests some minor usability issues with in-room technology.
Google Reviews
2,057 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Alexanders Account (Alex)
This might the best hotel in Norway, 100% the best hotel in Trondheim and mid-Norway. Rooms were great, service even better. Spa is decent size, feels very clean and cosy. Quiet and calm vibe. Multiple saunas, multiple cold exposure alternatives. Gym was very clean, modern and well stocked. Palmehaven is a must visit. One of the most special places for breakfast, brunch or afternoon tea in Tron...
Lee
Beautiful hotel in Trondheim. Our Superior room was small with a view of a brick wall, but we still thought it was a great stay. Bed was very comfortable and the mirror on the wall was also the TV, so it was an easy room to be in. The bar was a lovely black and white room with cocktails (and art) named after previous staff. Lovely champagnes by the glass and such great staff! Breakfast was one of...
Nicholas Pap
This is a truly great hotel. In the grand old tradition of fine service and older values but wit a modern slant. The rooms are old works and the staff have a a respectful attitude. All very good and room service excellent. My only observation catheter seems ybcharacterustucakknmodetn with the history and call of the building and I think if there is every a revamp it should go back to a more old w...
Nils Volden
Palmehagen at Britannia Hotel is truly one of Trondheim’s most majestic places for breakfast. With its strong reputation and undeniable bragging factor, it has become a cherished Christmas tradition for us, we have spent our Christmas mornings here three years in a row. Finding the place is effortless, especially when it’s a familiar annual ritual. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt ...
Andrew B
Amazing hotel with great F&B options, one of the best breakfast's I've had in a while and the main level bar is phenomenal. We had a gorgeous room in the historic component but the bed is a real dilemma. It was a very small queen bed with a major foot rest that makes it impossible for anyone 5'9" or above to properly sleep. We were there as part of a large group and this seemed to be a dilemma for...
Rory Morse
The Britannia was an amazing experience, and I would recommend it to anyone staying in Trondheim. We felt like royalty staying here, and particularly enjoyed our visit to the spa. There were a lot of great restaurants and sightseeing opportunities within walking distance, and everyone at the hotel was friendly, helpful, and welcoming.
About One Michelin Key
One Michelin Key is awarded to hotels that offer a very special stay. These properties are characterized by their unique personality, high quality, and ability to create memorable experiences for guests.
