Marken Guesthouse — Hotel in Bergen

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!! I had a terrible stay in City Hostel Bergen in August 2025 (14-16/8) as their staff did NOT send me check-in details prior to my check in, so I ended up having to stay in common area midnight. I was supposed to check in on 14/8 and the hostel claimed to send me check in details, such as lobby door password, my room number, room password, on my check-in date (14/8). For the record, the hostel replied me through Agoda message on 14/8 afternoon, so I was fairly certain they had adequate time to send me the check in details within business hour, prior to my arrival. I also asked them several times for the check-in details in the evening, but no reply was received. Reception was closed when I arrived after 10 PM, so I tried to reach out through phone calls (used multiple phones from guests in hostels as well) & phone texts, but staff did not respond. I still got no email/text from the hostel that night (checked spam folder too and I got nothing), not until the next day 15/8 8:27 AM ICT as shown in the photo, which was 3:27 AM in Norway time. It was totally UNACCEPTABLE that I had to wait overnight to receive these simple check-in details. It was sweet that a guest lent me her extra blankets for me to stay warm in common area over the night, as I did not know my room number and password. What's worse is I did NOT get any kind of apology or compensation from the hostel. They did not even care to reply me after I reached out for explanation regarding this matter. Totally disastrous management and poor attitude! I absolutely hope this won't happen to any other guest. AVOID AT...

This hostel is a solid fine. And there is (often) nothing wrong with that. And there isn't anything wrong with it here.||It's a hostel. Basic, no frills accommodation in the heart of Bergen. Short walk to the train and bus station and to the heart of the city.||The hostel is in a building shared with offices and a pool hall on the first floor. The pool hall can make a lot of noise at night (or did while I was there). Otherwise it's fairly quiet and people are quiet too and keep to themselves.||Laundry is available with assistance from reception. Basic kitchen is available and well stocked but not well maintained (or the cleanest).||Wifi is very good throughout the hostel, no issues there.||Staff isn't super friendly or communicative though, including to the reception SMS number listed at reception. When I was there, we had the fire alarm go off four times in the evening and received no direction from the staff after of what caused it or if it would happen again. After the third time, people even stopped going out. In late May, staff is also only there until 6pm so you need to make sure to catch them if you need something.||I'm not sure what would have been the best tool to notify people that things were okay but it lead to a lot of confusion among guests and wasn't a good look from the staff.||Despite all of this. I would stay again because the cost and location...

The biggest advantages of choosing Marken Gjestehus over anything else are:

The location. Marken Gjestehus is only 5 minutes walking from Bergen train station. It takes only 10 minutes to walk up to the bus station from where you can get buses to the airport as well. Most of the attractions of Bergen - Bryggen, Floyen, Fish Market, Harbour etc. are just 5-10 minutes walking from the Guesthouse. So it's a win win for travellers. (PS. If you are not going to go the aquarium of Bergen city, don't take the Bergen pass & stay in Marken Gjestehus. You'll save a lot of money on transportation)

Guesthouse condition Marken Gjestehus's building looks classy. It's very old yet strong. The guesthouse, from inside, is loaded with facilities. Perfect ambience, lighting, long lobbies, spacious dining hall & great kitchen. You'll find everything here. It looks no less than a 5-Star hotel. Also, the view from its rooms & the dining hall is lovely.

Sleep quality. The beds are nice & comfortable. The only negative point about this guesthouse is some of its beds. In bunk beds, if one of the person moves too much during sleep, it makes the whole bed shake.

Staff is really friendly & nice. All necessary information are also put in everywhere.

Overall, I suggest you to take Marken Gjestehus over...