Scandic Ishavshotel — Hotel in Tromsø

Very disappointing stay – does not live up to expectations

My stay at the Scandic Ishavshotel in Tromsø was, unfortunately, one of the most disappointing hotel experiences I’ve had in recent years. I had booked a Superior King Room with a large double bed, but from the moment of arrival, the experience went downhill.

Check-in was unprofessional and chaotic. The reception area looked messy, disorganized, and lacked any welcoming atmosphere. To make matters worse, the room I was given had two single beds instead of the large double bed I had reserved. After going back to the front desk, I received a second room—again with two single beds. Only after insisting did I get a so-called junior suite. While it did have a large bed with one mattress, it was made up with two single duvets, which significantly reduced comfort.

The room itself was not clean and felt poorly maintained. The shower showed signs of limescale and soap residue, the towels were thin and rough, the minibar contained only water and a few alcoholic drinks, and although there was a Nespresso machine, there was no milk provided. The smart TV did not offer access to Netflix or other streaming services, which is something I would expect in this price range.

The lighting in the room was poor, creating a dull atmosphere, and the curtains were not blackout. Considering that Tromsø experiences 24-hour daylight during this season, this was a major issue. I had a very poor night’s sleep, likely due to the light coming in and the uncomfortable bedding.

Breakfast was average at best. The hotel’s website presents it as a highlight, but in reality, it was quite standard with nothing special or memorable about it.

Check-out was equally unimpressive. No one asked about my stay or showed any interest in guest feedback, which sadly reflects the overall lack of hospitality I experienced during my visit.

There was nothing about this stay that I found positive. From the service to the comfort, and from cleanliness to communication—nothing met the expectations created by the hotel’s own presentation. I will not return, and I definitely do not...

Very good hotel. Warm and cozy. Stayed here as our staging point to venture out in the lake and mountain to watch the Northern lights. No regrets. No disappointment. Watching the Northern Lights near Tromsø, Norway, is an otherworldly and humbling experience.

Tromsø, located well above the Arctic Circle, offers a dramatic stage for the aurora borealis—snow-draped mountains, icy fjords, and vast, open skies free from light pollution. On a clear winter night, the air is crisp, often bitingly cold, yet the anticipation keeps you warm as you scan the darkness for the first signs of movement.

At first, it might seem like a faint, silvery mist or a pale green smear across the sky—almost like a wisp of cloud. But then, it moves. The light begins to dance, growing stronger, shifting shapes—curtains, spirals, or rivers of neon green, sometimes tinged with violet or pink. The aurora pulses, swirls, and flickers as if alive, responding to some invisible cosmic force.

Standing under the shimmering lights, you feel a deep connection to nature’s grandeur. There’s an eerie silence, broken only by the occasional gasp of fellow watchers or the crunch of snow underfoot. The lights reflect off frozen lakes and snowfields, amplifying their glow. Suddenly, the display intensifies—waves of color crashing across the sky in a spectacle that feels both intimate and infinite.

It’s impossible not to feel small yet strangely "alive" under the aurora’s glow. Some describe it as spiritual; others simply stand in awe, forgetting the cold. Cameras struggle to capture its true majesty—this is a moment best absorbed with your own eyes, imprinted in memory.

After the show fades, you retreated to our car amd others to a stool for hot chocolate, your breath still visible in the Arctic air, knowing you’ve witnessed one of Earth’s most...

This is a mixed review. I will be filing a complaint with the Norwegian regulatory agency about deceptive practices over the booking. The policy clearly stated that changes were possible, and the cancellation policy was also clear and limited. However, when I arrived I was told after the manager consulted higher authority that while I could change things I could not be refunded for any nights I had already paid for. I find this deceptive. It nearly ruined my holiday, with loss of sleep and worry about the money. I cut my dive holiday in half and accepted the loss of money (paying twice for accommodation for that part) which doubled the cost of my scuba dives.

I returned early from my dive holiday (the dive operator lost money because of this) and reluctantly stayed in the Scandic Ishavshotel, because after all I'd paid for it.

However. The hotel is a very nice place to stay. The food is good, and the view spectacular. I particularly appreciate that they keep the windows sparkling clean. I got some stunning photos.

And, if you don't pay twice, the rates are reasonable.

But the cancellation and change policy stinks. I'll never get my money back and I'll have to just eat it. This grates me. I'll see if I can get it changed for others in future by making a formal complaint. But my advice to you is don't believe them when they say the booking is flexible. Treat it as being carved in stone. Don't make any mistakes either.

Finally, the people are actually very nice. They were distressed that I was caught like this. And I was able to stay one extra night (which was because I hadn't worried about the end dates because I thought I was going to change things). So it worked out well...