Ydalir Hotel

Ydalir Hotel, Stavanger: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property

Ydalir Hotel in Stavanger, Norway, stands out as a "Michelin Key Selected" property, known for its elegant design, exceptional service, and unique non-profit model. Situated on the University of Stavanger campus, it offers a tranquil escape with easy access to the city's attractions.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Ydalir Hotel consistently receives high praise from guests, often earning "Excellent" or "Fabulous" ratings on major booking platforms. On Booking.com, it boasts an impressive 8.7 out of 10 from over 1,100 reviews, with Hotels.com noting exceptional cleanliness (9.6), staff & service (9.6), and location (8.8). Many reviewers describe it as modern, stylish, comfortable, quiet, and exceptionally clean. One guest even remarked that it "feels like five" stars despite its official three-star rating, and Expedia reviews call it a "hidden gem".

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud Ydalir Hotel for several standout features:

• Exceptional Service & Staff: The hotel's staff receives overwhelming commendation for being incredibly friendly, helpful, professional, and approachable. Specific mentions highlight staff members going above and beyond.
• Fabulous Breakfast: The complimentary buffet breakfast is a major draw, described as excellent, delicious, and offering a wide array of choices, including custom lattes and hot chocolate.
• Modern Design: The hotel features tasteful, minimalist, and modern decor with clean lines and comfortable public areas.
• Quiet Location: Its setting on the university campus provides a peaceful and green environment, away from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
• Social Responsibility: A unique aspect of Ydalir Hotel is its non-profit operation, with all earnings donated to the University of Stavanger to support education and local youth programs.
• Amenities: Guests appreciate the free parking, free WiFi, and pet-friendly policy (with potential charges).

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Ydalir Hotel are consistently described as big, clean, comfortable, cozy, and quiet. They feature tasteful, minimalist design with floor-to-ceiling windows and pale wood floors. Comfort is prioritized with pillowtop mattresses and high-quality Jensen beds. All rooms are air-conditioned and include a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a desk, and an electric kettle. Private bathrooms are well-lit with stylish, tiled surfaces, floor heating, showers, and separate Rituals brand shampoo and shower gel products. Apartments are also available, offering additional amenities like a dishwasher, refrigerator, and microwave. Rooms are soundproofed with blackout drapes for a good night's sleep.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Ydalir Hotel is a definite highlight. The complimentary buffet breakfast is widely praised as "fabulous" and "delicious," offering a diverse range of choices, always kept fresh and replenished by attentive staff. Guests particularly enjoy the custom lattes and hot chocolate available. While some reviews mention the breakfast area can be "quite small," the quality and variety of food are consistently high. The hotel also features an on-site cafe and bar, serving locally brewed beers, coffee, and teas, with an outdoor terrace available during warmer months.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Ydalir Hotel is a cornerstone of its positive reputation. Guests frequently use words like "exceptional," "helpful," "very nice," "friendly," "kind," "professional," and "wonderful" to describe the staff. Employees are noted for their genuine passion for their work and willingness to go the extra mile, such as recommending local restaurants. The hotel's team is also multilingual, including English, ensuring smooth communication for international travelers.

6. Location & Accessibility

Ydalir Hotel is strategically located on the University of Stavanger campus, providing a serene and green environment. It's a short 3-minute walk from the Norwegian Offshore Directorate and close to the Stavanger Botanical Garden and surrounding forest. While it's situated in the city outskirts, excellent public transport links are available, with the closest bus stop just a few hundred feet away. Stavanger City Center is approximately 3.4-5.4 miles away, typically a 10-12 minute drive or a short bus ride. Stavanger Airport is also conveniently located, about a 20-minute drive away. Free parking is available for guests, though some note it can sometimes be a short walk from the hotel entrance. While accessible by public transport, having a car is often recommended for greater convenience given its location outside the immediate city center.

7. Value & Pricing

Ydalir Hotel offers excellent value, especially considering its "Michelin Key Selected" status and the overall quality of the experience. While the average room price is around $204 (Agoda), prices can vary significantly by season and room type, with some deals starting from around $110. Guests consistently rate its "Value for money" highly (8.6 on Booking.com), often describing it as "affordable luxury". The inclusion of free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking further enhances its value proposition. The unique non-profit model, where proceeds benefit the university, also adds an intangible value to the stay.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted by guests:

• Breakfast Area Size: A few guests have mentioned that the breakfast area can feel "quite small".
• Breakfast Repetition: Some longer-staying guests found the breakfast options to be largely the same each day.
• Missing In-Room Fridge: A lack of a small refrigerator in some rooms was noted, though not a significant issue for all.
• Bathroom Door Lock: The absence of a lock on the bathroom door, by design, was found to be inconvenient for some families.
• Window Cleanliness: One review mentioned the large glass windows were not always perfectly clean and clear.
• Parking Distance/Charging: While free parking is available, it can sometimes be a short walk from the hotel. Additionally, one guest noted only a single car charger, which could be an issue during busier times.
• Location without a Car: Although public transport is available, some guests felt the location outside the city center would be challenging without a car.
• No Room Service: Explicit room service is not offered, though the hotel encourages guests to contact reception for any needs or requests.

Sources

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