Hotel Brosundet

Hotel Brosundet in Ålesund, Norway, a distinguished Michelin One-Key property, consistently garners high praise for its unique charm, exceptional service, and prime waterfront location. Housed in meticulously renovated Art Nouveau fishing warehouses, the hotel offers a blend of historic character and contemporary comfort, making it a "very special stay".

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Hotel Brosundet is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their experiences as "stunning," "charming," and "beyond perfect". Many reviews highlight it as one of the nicest hotel experiences they've had, appreciating its cozy yet stylish hideaway ambiance. The hotel consistently receives high ratings across various platforms, with a strong emphasis on its location, cleanliness, staff, and comfort.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently love several aspects of Hotel Brosundet:

• Location: Its position directly on the waterfront in the heart of Ålesund allows for stunning harbor views and easy access to the city's attractions.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's renovation of historic buildings, preserving original architecture with contemporary interiors and cozy furnishings, creates an "elegant hotel which was beautifully design". The lobby, with its roaring open fire, is frequently mentioned as an inviting space.
• Service & Staff: The staff are repeatedly described as "friendly," "very helpful," and "the very best," contributing significantly to a welcoming atmosphere.
• Breakfast: The breakfast buffet is lauded as "amazing," "outstanding," and "the best breakfast in Norway" by many guests, featuring an extensive and fresh spread.
• Unique Amenities: The sauna area with a view of the town and the option for a cold plunge into the canal or harbor is a major highlight, offering a distinctive Norwegian "hygge" experience. Complimentary bike use is also appreciated by active travelers.

Room Quality

The 131 rooms, including five suites, are characterized by a Scandi-minimalist design with exposed beams and wooden floors complemented by cool color palettes. Rooms vary in size, with many offering picturesque views of the water, where guests can watch fishing vessels. Comfort is generally high, with amenities such as sheepskin rugs and blankets adding to the cozy feel. In-room amenities include a TV, free bottled water, Nespresso coffee machine, and Sprekenhus bath products. A truly unique offering is Room 47, located in the Molja Lighthouse at the end of the jetty, providing a secluded and romantic experience with breakfast delivered to the door.

Dining Experience

The hotel offers an exceptional dining experience, particularly noted for its breakfast. The breakfast buffet is frequently cited as a highlight, featuring an "amazing" and "outstanding" spread that is "very good and fresh". For other meals, Restauranthuset No5 is the on-site seafood fine-dining restaurant, known for its locally sourced and refined seafood, offering breakfast, dinner, and ocean views. The hotel also has a stylish bar serving craft cocktails, and themed events like wine and cheese pairings are sometimes held.

Service & Staff

The service at Hotel Brosundet receives consistent accolades. Guests frequently commend the staff for being "friendly," "very helpful," and "excellent". The hospitality contributes to the overall welcoming and comfortable atmosphere, with many guests feeling like they've found their "Nordic home".

Location & Accessibility

Hotel Brosundet boasts a "perfect location right in the center of Alesund," situated on the waterfront in the Brosundet canal. This central position provides easy walking access to shops, restaurants, and Ålesund's Art Nouveau architecture. Nearby attractions include the Art Nouveau Centre & Art Museum KUBE, the charming Brunholmen neighborhood, and Mount Aksla for panoramic views. While a car isn't necessary for exploring Ålesund, public parking is available nearby. The hotel can arrange private transfers from Ålesund Airport, Vigra, which is a 30-minute journey. Daily ferry services from Ålesund connect to other fjord villages.

Value & Pricing

While Hotel Brosundet is considered a luxury boutique hotel, opinions on its value for money vary. Some guests highlight it as "excellent value for money," especially considering the overall experience, location, and amenities. The starting price per night is around $188.29 (converted from NOK 1,840.00). However, a few reviews mention it as "overpriced and underwhelming," particularly concerning the size of smaller rooms or specific amenities. Despite these occasional criticisms, the "Value for money" generally scores well, averaging around 8.0. Children up to 5 years old can stay for NOK 350 per night using an existing bed, while those 2 years and older using an extra bed also incur a NOK 350 per person per night charge.

Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring criticisms or minor issues have been noted:

• Room Size: Some guests found smaller double rooms to be "very small," with bathrooms compared to those on a cruise ship.
• Stuffy Rooms: On the top floor, some rooms could get "a bit stuffy and 'close'," with limited ability to open windows, though fans were provided.
• View Discrepancies: A few guests felt their room view was "nice but not exactly as it seemed online".
• Parking: Remote parking was described as "a bit tight and slightly inconvenient," though understandable given the historic location.
• Sauna Cold Plunge: One review specifically noted the sauna having a "mediocre sauna which doesn't even have a cold plunge," contradicting other reviews that highlight the harbor plunge.
• Accessibility: Due to its historic nature and stairs, the hotel is "not easily accessible for wheelchair users".
• Hotel Closure Dates: The hotel is closed annually from December 18th to January 2nd and over Easter weekend.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. booking.com
3. mrandmrssmith.com
4. outthere.travel
5. michelin.com