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Summary of reviews'Skaret by Vander' is a popular choice for visitors to Tromsø owing largely to its exceptional location. Nestled in the city's heart, it allows easy access to key attractions, shops, restaurants and public transportation. Guests appreciate being close to the harbor, supermarket and Hurtigruten terminal, often praising the picturesque views of fjords and mountains from higher floors.
Though the hotel does not offer in-house breakfast, the nearby large supermarket and local cafes provide convenient alternatives. The ground-floor restaurant is favored for its evening meals, especially the reindeer steak, though a strong smell from the restaurant can be pervasive within the building. The rooms come with well-equipped kitchenettes, offering guests the flexibility to prepare their own meals, adding to the overall convenience.
The rooms are modern, spacious and mostly immaculate, providing a comfortable and practical environment for extended stays. Large windows offer stunning views of the sea and mountains and the accommodations are noted for their comfortable beds and large bathrooms, though there are occasional reports of cleanliness oversights.
The staff at 'Skaret by Vander' receive high marks for their friendliness and helpfulness, contributing significantly to the positive guest experience, despite the hotel's limited on-site staffing and reliance on an app for room access. The app, while innovative, has mixed reviews regarding its reliability.
WiFi at the hotel is generally good, most guests finding it reliable and easy to use with only occasional issues of slow speed or intermittent connectivity. The comfortable and cozy beds further enhance the stay, although there are some variances in mattress firmness preferences.
While the hotel's central location is ideal for most, accessibility for guests with disabilities is mixed. Automated systems can be complex and physical access to some areas poses challenges. Nevertheless, staff assistance upon request can help mitigate these issues.
Overall, 'Skaret by Vander' is lauded for its fantastic location, modern amenities and the flexibility it offers to guests, making it a strong choice for travelers looking to explore Tromsø comfortably. Show more
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Accessible Apartment
4-Star Apartment
Room Types
One-Bedroom ApartmentThis apartment comes with 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. Meals can be prepared in the kitchen, which features a stovetop, a refrigerator, a dishwasher and kitchenware. The apartment has parquet floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, soundproof walls, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a dining area. The unit has 2 beds.
Studio ApartmentFeaturing free toiletries, this apartment includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. In the well-equipped kitchen, guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, a dishwasher and kitchenware. The apartment has parquet floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, soundproof walls, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a dining area. The unit has 1 bed.
Two-Bedroom ApartmentThis apartment features 1 living room, 2 separate bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. Meals can be prepared in the kitchen, which has a stovetop, a refrigerator, a dishwasher and kitchenware. The apartment has parquet floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, soundproof walls, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a dining area. The unit has 3 beds.
Studio with Sofa BedProviding free toiletries, this studio includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. Guests can make meals in the kitchen that comes with a stovetop, a refrigerator, a dishwasher and kitchenware. The studio features parquet floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, soundproof walls, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a dining area. The unit offers 2 beds.
Studio with Ocean ViewOffering free toiletries, this studio includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. In the well-fitted kitchen, guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, a dishwasher and kitchenware. The studio features parquet floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, soundproof walls, a tea and coffee maker as well as sea views. The unit offers 1 bed.
Apartment with One-Bedroom and Sea ViewThis apartment includes 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. In the fully equipped kitchen, guests will find a stovetop, a refrigerator, a dishwasher and kitchenware. The apartment has parquet floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, soundproof walls, a tea and coffee maker as well as sea views. The apartment offers access to a shared laundry room. The unit has 2 beds.
Apartment with Two-Bedrooms and Sea ViewThis apartment comes with 1 living room, 2 separate bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. The well-fitted kitchen features a stovetop, a refrigerator, a dishwasher and kitchenware. The apartment has parquet floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, soundproof walls, a tea and coffee maker as well as sea views. The unit has 3 beds.
Guest Reviews
Location
Nestled in the heart of Tromsø, 'Skaret by Vander' boasts an exceptional location that garners high praise from its guests. This hotel is perfectly situated, allowing easy access to the city's main attractions, shops and restaurants, all within a short walking distance. Guests appreciate the convenience of being close to the harbor, supermarket and public transportation, making it an ideal base for exploring the city and embarking on various tours. The central positioning near the Hurtigruten terminal and main street Storgata is particularly noted, providing guests with picturesque views of the fjords and mountains from higher floors.
The location's strategic proximity to the airport bus stop and major attractions enhances the hotel's appeal for travelers. Moreover, the modern, stylishly furnished apartments and superb amenities ensure both comfort and practicality. With everything guests might need just around the corner, this hotel's prime location and excellent facilities make it a favorite for visitors looking to experience the best of Tromsø.
Breakfast
When planning a stay at 'Skaret by Vander,' it is important to know that the hotel does not provide an in-house breakfast. Many guests have noted this absence, leading some to resort to nearby cafes or to preparing their own meals. Despite the lack of an on-site breakfast option, the convenience of a large supermarket next door allows guests the flexibility to create their own breakfast experience.
For those preferring a restaurant setting, the open-air Oasis restaurant offers breakfast, but it might not always be available as it opens later in the day or charges an additional fee. Guests can also enjoy a cozy breakfast in their rooms using items from the supermarket, making it a practical solution for many.
While some have experienced issues such as no plates being available and a limited variety of food at the hotel, the surrounding area offers adequate alternatives to ensure a comfortable start to the day.
Overall, while the hotel itself lacks breakfast amenities, the proximity of external options and the ability to prepare breakfast in-room provide a reasonably comfortable and convenient stay.
Dinner
Skaret by Vander appears to offer a pleasant dining experience at its ground floor restaurant, which guests have found to be a good choice for an evening meal. The reindeer steak, accompanied by a great sauce, receives specific praise, as does the hot pot available in the building's lobby. Its convenient location places it within walking distance of other dining options, grocery stores and day trip meeting points.
However, a recurring issue is the pervasive smell from the restaurant, which can be quite strong and spread throughout the building, even reaching the rooms. While the food quality at the restaurant downstairs is appreciated, this strong odor has been noted as a negative aspect by several guests.
Despite the smell issue, the kitchenette facilities in the rooms are another positive highlight. They are well-equipped with utensils, a dishwasher and an oven, allowing guests to prepare their own meals comfortably. Additionally, the option to enjoy a meal with a sea view or sip high-quality coffee or wine against the backdrop of the midnight sun adds to the overall appeal of the stay.
Nonetheless, the lounge area's cleanliness at times, as well as a lack of available coffee or tea in the rooms, could detract from the experience for some guests. While the spacious and well-equipped nature of the accommodations is overwhelmingly appreciated, the issues with food odor and occasional mess in common areas are considerations for potential visitors.
Rooms
At 'Skaret by Vander', guests generally appreciate the modern, clean and spacious accommodations offering beautiful views of the sea and mountains. Each room or apartment tends to be well-equipped with modern appliances, a fully functional kitchenette and necessary amenities, making them ideal for extended stays. Multiple reviews highlight the cleanliness and cozy atmosphere of the rooms with particular praise for the large bathrooms and comfortable beds.
The apartments, described as stylishly furnished and practical, often come with large windows offering exceptional views of the harbor or fjord. Many guests were surprised by the spaciousness and modernity of the rooms, finding them to be much larger and better equipped than expected. Additionally, the central location and quiet surroundings add to the overall positive experience.
Despite some minor issues such as occasional cleanliness oversights and the occasional lack of some room furnishings or equipment, most guests found their stays highly satisfactory. The fully equipped kitchens, modern amenities and cozy interiors seem to meet the practical needs of travelers, ensuring a comfortable home-away-from-home experience.
In summary, 'Skaret by Vander' offers well-located, spacious and modern accommodations with excellent amenities, making it a preferred choice for many visitors looking for a comfortable stay with beautiful views and the convenience of self-catering facilities.
Beds
At Skaret by Vander, guests frequently highlight the exceptional comfort of the beds, making it a notable aspect of their stay. Many reviewers found the beds very comfortable, often describing them as super comfy, cozy and equipped with soft and pleasant bedding. The choice of duvets and pillows received high praise, contributing to an overall restful sleep experience.
However, some feedback indicated variability in comfort. A few guests found the beds to be slightly hard or too firm and others mentioned specific issues such as the mattress topper slipping or the bed being poorly made. Sofa beds, in particular, drew criticism for being too soft and sagging in the middle, which was likened to sleeping in a hammock, making them less usable.
For the most part, however, the primary beds in the rooms received overwhelmingly positive mentions with many guests appreciating the ample space and cleanliness of the bedding. Special highlights include the beautiful views of the fjords from some beds and the thoughtful provision of plenty of pillows and duvet covers. Despite some minor complaints, Skaret by Vander seems to deliver a largely comfortable sleeping environment for the majority of its guests.
Cleanliness
At Skaret by Vander, the cleanliness of the hotel has evoked mixed sentiments from guests. On the positive side, many reviews highlight the establishment's exceptional cleanliness with phrases like spotless, immaculate and extremely clean frequently mentioned. Guests often found the rooms clean, tidy and well-maintained upon arrival, appreciating the modern and spacious accommodations. The common areas, including bathrooms, were often praised for being polished and clean. The facilities and rooms were considered very clean and well-equipped, offering everything from fresh studio apartments to comfortably furnished spaces with good views.
However, not all reviews were glowing. There were several complaints about dust accumulation in rooms, poor housekeeping and instances where cleaning wasn't up to standard. Some guests reported specific issues such as dirty bathrooms, unclean kitchen areas and even garbage odors within the facility. Others noted that surfaces were not thoroughly cleaned with dust, hair and dirt sometimes left behind, especially in less visible areas like under furniture and in cabinets. Certain guests pointed out the need for more rigorous cleaning practices and regular housekeeping services during their stay.
Overall, while many guests found Skaret by Vander to be a clean and comfortable choice with modern amenities, there are notable instances where the hotel fell short of maintaining consistent cleanliness.
Staff
When visiting 'Skaret by Vander,' guests can generally expect an amiable and supportive staff ready to assist with any issues that arise. Numerous reviews highlighted the friendliness and helpful nature of the staff with many guests noting quick responses to their inquiries and efficient handling of problems. The reception team, along with other employees, often went out of their way to ensure a pleasant stay, charming visitors with their courteous and accommodating manners.
However, it's worth noting that the property has an unconventional setup with limited on-site staff, especially at night. Some guests reported difficulties due to the absence of a permanent reception, relying instead on an app for room access, which occasionally malfunctioned. In such cases, the staff—though not always immediately available—were reportedly responsive via phone or email with issues often being resolved by helpful team members from various departments, including cleaning staff and security personnel.
Dining experiences were also positively influenced by attentive and friendly service in the accompanying restaurant. Despite some lapses in communication and occasional operational hiccups, the general consensus remains that the staff at 'Skaret by Vander' significantly contribute to the overall positive experience through their warm and helpful demeanor.
Wi-Fi
When it comes to the WiFi at Skaret by Vander, the experience can vary. Many guests found the WiFi to be very good and reliable with uncomplicated access and the added benefit of being free. Enjoying a good functioning WiFi connection, some visitors noted that the internet included in the rooms was reliable and provided good value for money. However, there are occasional issues reported, such as WiFi cutting out at times or the signal being weak and some guests experienced very slow internet speeds.
A unique feature of this hotel is its reliance on a mobile app for accessing rooms and the building, which some guests found smooth and effective. However, others faced complications with the app, including set-up issues and needing to be connected to WiFi to use certain features like operating the elevator. This dependency on the app could be challenging for those without prior internet access, especially for international travelers.
Overall, while the majority of guests had a positive experience with the hotel's WiFi and praised its reliability and ease of use, there are occasional hiccups that could affect one's stay. Planning ahead for these connectivity needs could ensure a smoother experience at Skaret by Vander.
Accessible
While 'Skaret by Vander' boasts a superb location close to the city center of Tromsø and is well-connected by public transport, accessibility for guests with disabilities presents mixed impressions. The hotel is conveniently placed near restaurants, supermarkets and the bus and ferry terminals, all within short walking distances, making it easy to navigate for most guests. The self-check-in process facilitated through a mobile app ensures streamlined access and the staff are noted to be helpful when contacted.
Guests enjoyed features such as being able to see the Northern Lights from the comfort of their bed and appreciated the soundproof, comfortable and spacious rooms. Additional amenities like the on-site gym and laundry room contribute positively to the experience.
However, there are notable areas where accessibility falls short. The automated systems and entry via an app can be complex for wheelchair users and those with other mobility issues. Guests needing assistance are advised to speak with the reception, especially for after-hours access. Obtaining the necessary information beforehand, including downloading the Vander app, is crucial for a smooth experience. The entrance and some areas pose challenges for those using wheelchairs or carrying heavy luggage and the elevator has been described as not always reliable.
While 'Skaret by Vander' offers many conveniences and comfort, it is important for guests with disabilities to prepare adequately and seek staff assistance upon arrival to navigate potential hurdles.
No, Skaret by Vander doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Skaret by Vander.
No, Skaret by Vander doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Skaret by Vander.