Mary-Ann's Polarrigg — Hotel in Spitsbergen

I had the luck to stay at Mary-Ann's Polarigg for 5 weeks in January/February 2022. What an amazing and eclectic place!

The place is filled with memorabilia and photos of yesteryear and the character. The common spaces are filled with comfortable places to sit and enjoy the ever available coffee and company of other guests. There are books for you to borrow and chess games out for a friendly games.

The breakfast is OUTSTANDING and if you are extra lucky, there will be some oatmeal raisin type of cookies that will rock your world. You will not go hungry there... There is fruit, cereal, bread, bacon, eggs, and vegetarian options. A great start to a great day for sure.

I originally only booked two weeks but fell in love with Longyearbyen. I asked to extend my stay and Bojana worked with me to make sure it could happen. I then changed my plans to stay even longer. Each request was met with a "Can - do" attitude - even though busy season was approaching. EVERY member of the front desk was the absolute best! No matter what I asked - to book a tour, to get a bottle of wine (OK, several), how to get to a certain location, etc.. was met with a genuine smile and professionalism.

The restaurant (Vinterhagen) is most tasty. Do try to Beet Salad (if it is still on the menu) and the smoked reindeer. You will not be disappointed! The service is excellent.

And the location - so close to everything. A quick walk to the main strip! You will not be disappointed here - the rooms are small but immaculately clean and cozy, the staff amazing, and the breakfast outstanding. You will not be disappointed if you stay here - and if you are lucky, you will make some amazing friends...

This place is on itself one of my favourite bits of Longyearbyen. Super nice, helpful, knowledgeable and patient staff, the place itself is gorgeous and the rooms are cabin-like. Not huge, but plenty enough for having your clothes drying and sort yourself out. The common area is absolutely beautiful, with a lot of old artifacts and pictures, and a quiet but social atmosphere to chat with other travellers and staff alike ( sometimes even some very great huskies ), cook if you want, or just listen to some jazz with a cup of warm coffee in a comfy sofa. Bathrooms have great showers and are incredibly spacious, ( which I don't personally need but I'm sure someone would find that useful ). There is a boat where you can go to get a bit of a vantage point to see auroras behind the mountains. It's also situated near a small river that you can cross through a bridge to get to the shops/city, specially close to a great sports gear shop and fruene,a really nice coffee/food place. Also contains a very good restaurant that offers a nice sample of local food in a lovely location with ample windows and lots of plants, where you also have a lot of artifacts from the mines and get a great breakfast every morning. Probably gonna miss the place and the people there about the same as the...

It’s not my first stay at Mary Anns, and won’t be my last. It’s one of my reasons for returning to Svalbard! ||The staff always give such a warm welcome. I was in a foul mood following a luggage loss and they were so helpful and offered me spares of some items. |The rooms are basic, but have more than everything that you need, controllable heating, a desk, wardrobe, mirror, even black out blinds. The bed is probably the most comfortable bed I’ve ever stayed in! |The shared bathroom are immaculately cleaned (cleaned 3 times daily) and have piping hot, good pressure showers. ||The décor is amazing as always, from stuffed polar bears and foxes, to old mining maps. The exterior has been furnished with 100 christmas trees imported on pallets. ||The common lounge is also amazing, comfortable, with a full (immaculate) kitchen, TV, fireplace, wifi, tea and coffee. It’s pure bliss. |The breakfast is also just incredible. Freshly cooked, and well presented it has a huge range of meats, berries, cereals etc. The breakfast makes a stay here incredible value. ||100% recommend and WILL be...