Viking Inn — Hotel in Solvang

Pleasant Stay with Room for Improvement at Viking Inn

Recently stayed at Viking Inn, located in the heart of the village which offers a serene yet accessible experience. Room number 2, the king with a private bath, provided a mostly modern and clean setting complemented by charming artwork.

Pros: Excellent Location: Nestled at the end of the walkable downtown village area, it's quiet yet central, with a convenient mini-mart across the street. Welcoming Staff: Friendly greetings in the parking lot set a positive tone. Pleasing Aesthetics: The room's clean design and cute artwork added to the pleasant ambiance.

Areas for Improvement: Bathroom Fixtures: During the ongoing remodeling, attention to corroded fixtures and the low shower head height would be beneficial. An adjustable shower head could accommodate guests of all heights. Bathroom Storage: Additional shelving would greatly assist with personal grooming needs, as current space is limited. Water Quality: Addressing the sulfuric odor in sink water is critical. The smell is overwhelming. Also, the water temp fluctuates from dangerously hot to cold during your shower without touching the knob. Eco-Friendly Toiletries: Switching to wall-mounted refillable toiletry bottles, including conditioner, would be a sustainable and guest-friendly move. Storage Solutions: Utilizing empty wall space for additional coat hooks or shelves could alleviate storage constraints. Entertainment Set-Up: Aligning the TV remote brand with the TV and improving the setup (e.g., hiding cords, better positioning) would enhance the viewing experience. A shelf would allow people to connect their own laptops of consoles to the TV. Beverage Options: While an electric kettle is available, the addition of a coffee machine could be a delightful touch for coffee enthusiasts. -Insulation Single pane windows and a door about 1 inch above the floor allows for bugs, cold, and noise to come through. The street can be loud especially in room 2. Investing in double pane windows and fixing the door is a mist.

In conclusion, while Viking Inn boasts a fantastic location and charming elements, certain upgrades and attention to guest convenience could elevate the overall experience. Would consider staying again, particularly to see the...

I would not recommend this hotel, especially considering its price. It felt like "lipstick on a pig" – a lot of superficial touches, but not much substance behind them.

Pros: -The A/C worked well and kept the room comfortable. -There was decent cable TV to unwind with. -The staff was very friendly, helpful, and responsive. They moved me to another room with working hot water after I reported the issue, which I really appreciated. -It's in a great location with good walkability to nearby attractions. -The hotel is dog-friendly, which is always a bonus for pet owners.

Cons: -For $250 a night, the room felt more like a $150-175 one, making it feel overpriced. -Coffee cup lids were not provided, which was a small but noticeable inconvenience. -The towels were small, scratchy, and barely covered us. -There was no outlet next to the tea/coffee station the rooms, meaning I had to plug the kettle in near the closet shelf. In another room, the kettle had to be plugged next to the trash, which was less than ideal. -When I brought up the issue of no hot water in the shower, the owner's response was that it was "finicky" and suggested leaving the shower handle facing the sink for 5-10 minutes. This wasn’t helpful, but thankfully the staff moved me to another room with hot water. -I found long black hairs folded into the towels, which was very off-putting and made me question the cleanliness. -The toilet paper was rough and cheap, which added to the overall feeling that the hotel didn’t quite deliver for the price. -Mold in shower, one room was obviously not given the same attention to detail as another with renovations. -Lack of outlets close to the beds, just a lamp with USB ports which didn't meet our needs.

In the end, I felt like I was paying for more than what I got. At $250 per night, I expected a much higher standard of quality and attention to detail. For the price, I think there are better...

With so many choices of where to stay, it is sometimes hard to find the right place. My wife and I have stayed in Solvang many times over the years. From other hotels on one side to Motels in the middle to The Viking Inn. We have now found our little gem. The location is great because you are on the beginning of the strip or end depending on which way you came into town. You can park your car and never have to drive again until you are ready to leave. Also, you are not in the middle of town with all the nightlife hustle and bustle from the restaurant bars, but you are only a block away to walk home.

The other benefit is getting personal treatment from staff or the owner Angie. This isn’t a place that just takes your booking money and off you go. The staff is courteous, friendly, welcoming, and informative. I feel like you get personalized service here. Guadalupe is the lady who does housekeeping and she is pays attention to the details and is super friendly and hard-working, so tip her when you stay.

I would suggest you set real expectations of where you are at. You are not at a 5-star Ritz Carlton so don’t expect the same. But if you are looking for a quiet, clean, maintained and cared-for place then stop looking because the Viking Inn Motel is the place. You get little extras as well, like the benefit of a firepit, a coffee pot in the room, you have a mini fridge. Just little perks that make the stay better in my opinion.

All the love and details that have gone into the renovating of this place show the love that Angie and her husband have for this little place and their guests. I highly suggest you stay here if you are not looking for a place to not break the budget, and don’t need the glamour of the Ritz but still want a safe, cared-for place to lay your head then the Viking Inn Motel is the place. Thank you Angie and staff, keep up the good work. See you next...