First Marin Bergen

Stayed here om a conference in september 2005. Got a big room on the 5th floor, with comfy beds and a nice bathroom. The location is very central, close to Bryggen and the harbour and to the funicular to Floyen, and with the shopping streets only a 5 minutes walk away. Except for a good buffet breakfast, food was below average for a hotel of this class in Norway. Go for a room with breakfast only, and have lunch and dinner elsewhere.

We stayed here for three nights and were very pleased with our rooms. Great location in town. Clean, bright, spacious rooms with really comfortable beds. Breakfast buffet was good. Hotel staff very pleasant and helpful. Only minus was that the shower was a little wavery on the hot/cold. Otherwise excellent! Probably do not plan to visit Bergen again (VERY touristy town) but would stay at this hotel if we did.

Stayed here for two nights before heading out to fjords. This is a nice comfortable hote, very welcoming with an accomodating staff. It's in a great location by the harbor and is a modern interior crafted inside a number of older buildings. It's not a luxury property but they don't claim to be and from looking around town we didn't see anywhere we would rather have stayed. This definitely seemed like a better choice than the two Radisson properties which we also considered. From here we took the express boat to Balestrand, which is a great next step in touring this beautiful part of western Norway.

After taking the Norway in a Nutshell tour from Oslo, we spent the night and the following day in Bergen. We booked the First Hotel Marin through an internet discount service. I then emailed the hotel and asked about getting a nicer room. For 150 NOK (less than 25 US Dollars) we upgraded to a lovely large room with a view of the waterfront. (See photos)

The hotel is very nice and clean. The location is excellent - within walking distance of all the sights and just steps from the funicular ( a must do when in Bergen!)

The hotel is similar to a Marriott Courtyard type of hotel. It appears that tour groups use this hotel as there were times when the lobby and breakfast room were very crowded. The staff was very helpful and friendly. The room I was in was a non-smoking room but there were ashtrays in there so I was scratching my head on that one!

All in all this is a safe stay in Bergen.

Stayed at the First Hotel Marin in June 2005. Had intended to stay 5 nights so booked a junior suite. Asked on checking in whether this could be downgraded to a superior double but they were full, so took the suite at the rate of NOK 2095 per night. Hotel is well situated (but so are most of the big hotels) and the suite on the 6th floor was quite large and comfortable with wooden floors, sofa and 2 armchairs though with only 2 windows in the roof, so no view whatsoever, which was disappointing for that price. Breakfast was very chaotic as too many guests for the size of the room and extremely slow and careless staff in attendance so it was difficult to find anywhere to sit. Left 2 days early.

We used a discount service to book our room and did not get a large room with a view. We did however have a nice room that was well furnished and very comfortable. The hotel's location was perfect...close to everything but not on the main street. The staff was very accommodating when we arrived. It was a nice surprise to be able to check in just after 10 am. The breakfast was very nice and was included even at the discounted rate.

We stayed for two nights on a pre-Christmas break (15-17 Dec 2004).

Hotel is in a convenient spot - a 2 minute walk from the airport bus stop on Bryggen, close to the funicular to Floyen and plenty of shops, restaurants and tourist info.

The room we were initally given, on the top (5th) floor was intimate but on the small side with a shower but no bath. One of the blackout blinds would not close properly.

When we reported this, with absolutely no fuss and without us asking, we were offered an alternative room instead - this was large with bathroom and good views of the waterfront, and beautifully appointed with wooden floors and beams in the ceiling, with lovely brickwork walls.

Breakfasts were a very relaxed affair - leisurely, entirely self-service and with plenty of variety and good quality. A totally unruffling and unhurried experience. The same could be said for the bar, attached restaurant and other rest/sitting areas in the hotel.

It was such a nice hotel to visit, the incessant rain bouncing off the roof and several soakings outside just didn't seem to matter. And, of course, Bergen is an especially picturesque place.

A word of thanks, too, to the reception staff, in particular Tone, for whom nothing was too much trouble and who's attitude and smile enhanced our stay.

We intend to be back.

Norway is an unbelievably expensive country (and I live in London!). The First Hotel Marin can therefore be considered a real bargain.

The location is excellent, opposite the fish market and harbour and literally seconds from the main batch of restaurants. The entrance is in a new building one road back from the harbour, but the hotel runs through the block to the water. The better rooms seem to be the 12 deluxe suites that directly overlook the harbour.

We had two deluxe suites, each about 40 sq metres. (Note - in Norway, any large room is called a suite.) This is twice the size of the standard rooms at the Radisson Royal next door, which are the same price and have no view! The two suites were not the same. Mine, 325, was the only room with a small balcony overlooking the harbour and also had two sinks and a separate bath and shower. My friend had 428, which was slightly smaller, had just one sink, no bath and no balcony, but the same lovely view and some exposed beams.

The hotel is relatively new and the furnishings and staff were well up to four star standards. My only niggles were slightly battered corridors and poor housekeeping - tea / coffee not replaced, not enough towels left etc.

We paid just NOK 1299 per suite per night, booked at a Summer Promo rate on the First Hotels website, which included a huge buffet breakfast. Standard rooms are smaller but cost less. This is excellent value for money in a country where even a McDonalds meal costs NOK 70 ($10-$11). For the combination of location, view, price and quality, I don't think you'll do better than the deluxe suites here.

The hotel is 5 minutes walk from Radssions SAS Royal Hotel where the airport shuttle stopped. The hotel is centrally located and within walking distance of everything, including the fish market.

The room is medium in size and in a classical style. Our room can barely see the harbour from the window.

If u do not have to carry large suitcase, this hotel is alright. However, if you have large suitcase to be carried, like my hubby and I, it is advisable to consider staying at Radssions SAS Royal Hotel.

Very Comfortable hotel. I had a nice, sea view room, over looking the harbour from Bryggen. Reception Staff were extremely helpful, courteous and efficient. Good buffet breakfast. Ideal hotel for business or pleasure, in an excellent location.