My jaw dropped to the ground the second I walked into the lobby of Charmante Skostredet Hôtel in Bergen’s Sentrum. Every wall was covered in yellow floral wallpaper and paintings, the ceilings were mirrors, the lampshades were gaudy in all the best ways.
I have a firm belief that hotels should be fun, and Charmante Skostredet Hôtel knows how to deliver. Especailly after my travel partner, Sophie, noticed a small button near the front desk titled “press for champagne”. We pressed and voilà, bubbly was poured for us. Not a bad start to our Bergen, Norway trip.
About Charmante Skostredet Hôtel in Bergen
The Charmante is a boutique hotel inspired by the decadent French grandeur of the early 19th century in Paris. Everything is over the top. Wandering the 4 levels of the hotel constantly had be guessing on what fanciful display I’ll stumble upon next.
With 41 rooms, each decorated with unique decor, no two stays will be the same when you book here. Our room, for instance, had skylights, an emerald green bathroom with mirrored ceilings and a dark mauve color scheme in the bedroom area complete with quirky details like a vintage top hot on display.
Charmante Skostredet Hôtel Ammeneities
To me, what separates a good hotel from a great one are the amenities offered to guests, and Charmante doesn’t skimp. I’m an early bird and always on coffee duty when I travel. Each morning I woke up and padded down the hallway to the coffee bar station on my floor.
Here I used the Sjöstrand Coffee machine to pour high quality espresso for me and Sophie. Just enough to get be out the door and down the complimentary breakfast at the Brasserie Cherie. Here we feasted on trout croissant sandwiches, fresh fruit, omelets and yogurts.
The wifi is strong here, rooms come with fridges and there’s plenty of outlets on bedstands to charge everything you have (no need to charge your phone overnight on the floor halfway across the room, this hotel is designed to serve modern guests.)
Parking is available at a nearby lot, they can hold luggage for you, an elevator so you don’t have to drag your suitcase up 2 flights of stairs, laundry services if needed and high-quality bath products in the showers.
Oh, and that water pressure in our room was divine.
Full ammenenties list:
- Breakfast included
- Adjoining rooms are available
- Bar
- 24-hour reception
- Laundry services
- Wi-fi included
- Complete breakfast included from 06.30 to 10.00 on weekdays and from 07.30 to 11.00 on weekends
- Restaurant
- Bar/lounge
- Meeting room
- 24-hour reception
- Dry cleaning/laundry services
- Luggage storage
- Multilingual staff
- Hotel waiter/pikkolo
- Romantic packages
- Elevator
- Accessibility-adapted access
Brasserie Cherie
A true perk of staying at the hotel is direct access to Brasserie Cherie, one of the best restaurants in Bergen, Norway. It serves up French cuisine, but I also found the menu to have a distinct Norwegian influence with plenty of local, fresh fish options and caviar.
Make sure to set a reservation if you are planning on dining here for dinner. It’s popular!
Don’t Miss The Secret Bar
I wouldn’t exactly call the bar at Charmante Skostredet Hôtel a speakeasy, as there’s no secret door or passcode to access. But it is hidden from guests. We were wandering the halls looking for the bar and couldn’t find it, only to learn upon asking the front desk reception that it’s on the 4th floor and only they can buzz you up.
When we entered the space, I felt like I was transported to the set of Moulin Rouge. Scarlet red decor in dim lighting, low hanging chandeliers, fabric draped on the ceilings and an air of mystery…
I ordered a Nordic Manhattahn with Akvavit, snuggled into one of the dark corners and yapped away for an hour before dinner.
If you’re looking for a magical, luxury hotel in Bergen, I highly recommend Charmante Skostredet. I knew after day 1 of my trip to Bergen that this is a city I’ll be visiting again (I have a love affair with Scandinavia) and I’ll be booking my hotel right here.
And looking forward to that welcome glass of champagne.
