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Summary of reviewsBrakanes Hotel is lauded for its exceptional location along the scenic fjord coast in Ulvik, offering guests a tranquil and picturesque retreat. Nestled amidst stunning fjord views and snow-capped mountains, the hotel provides a serene waterfront and beautiful gardens perfect for relaxation and outdoor activities. The peaceful village of Ulvik adds to the charm, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers.
The breakfast experience is largely well-received with an extensive buffet of fresh, local products and a diverse range of delicious options like fresh bread, salmon and croissants. Guests appreciate enjoying their morning meals with scenic fjord views, further enhancing their dining experience.
Despite some critiques about menu variety and high costs, many guests praise the dinner offerings for their delicious flavors and quality dishes such as halibut and veal. The ambiance and fjord views add to a pleasant dining setting, although there is a noted need for more menu options and better service efficiency.
Room reviews reveal a mix of positive and negative feedback. Guests appreciate the spacious, comfortable and modernized rooms with balconies offering breathtaking fjord views. However, some rooms are outdated and in need of renovation with complaints about poor lighting, ventilation and cleanliness issues. Amenities like tea or coffee facilities and hygiene products are also noted as lacking.
The hotel generally maintains good cleanliness standards with many guests commenting positively on the overall neatness. However, some areas, particularly bathrooms and common spaces like the indoor pool, require better upkeep.
The staff consistently receive praise for their friendliness and helpfulness. Guests highlight the warm and professional demeanor of the team, contributing to a positive experience. Some issues with the reception staff's efficiency are mentioned, but overall, the service is seen as courteous and attentive.
Wi-Fi experiences vary with many finding the connection strong and reliable, while others encounter issues with weak or slow internet. The indoor pool receives mixed feedback; it is appreciated when well-maintained and heated but is sometimes described as too small and cold. The outdoor pool and hot tub are frequently noted as out of service.
Brakanes Hotel is family-friendly with activities and amenities catering to all ages, making it a preferred choice for family gatherings. The beds receive mixed reviews with some guests finding them comfortable and others encountering issues with softness and wear. The hotel’s four-star rating is seen as inconsistent by some guests with calls for facility updates and improved services.
For business travelers, the hotel provides meeting rooms and conference spaces, making it a practical choice despite some complaints about room smells and reserved staff interactions. Accessibility options are comprehensive, ensuring a comfortable stay for guests with disabilities.
Overall, Brakanes Hotel offers a scenic and peaceful retreat with well-maintained facilities and friendly service, though some areas need modernization and improved attention to detail. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Categories
Hotel with EV Charging Stations
Luxury Hotel
Historic Hotel
Family Friendly Hotel
Dog Friendly Hotel
Romantic Hotel
Hotel with Swimming Pool
Heated Pool Indoor Pool
Business Hotel
Accessible Hotel
4-Star Hotel
Hotel with Indoor Pool
Hotel with Heated Pool
Room Types
Standard Single RoomIncludes a flat-screen TV and work desk. Guests can enjoy the city view.
Standard Double RoomIncludes a flat-screen TV and work desk. Guests can enjoy the city view.
Single Room with Fjord ViewThese rooms feature a flat-screen TV and a balcony with views of the Hardanger Fjord.
Double Room with Fjord ViewThese rooms feature a flat-screen TV and a balcony with views of the Hardanger Fjord. Some rooms include a seating area.
Guest Reviews
9.5
Excellent
Location
The Brakanes Hotel is renowned for its exceptional location, nestled along the stunning fjord coast in Ulvik. Guests consistently praise its picturesque and tranquil surroundings, which offer spectacular views of the fjord and snow-capped mountains. The hotel's positioning at the end of a narrow fjord provides a unique and idyllic setting for visitors looking to immerse themselves in natural beauty.
The serene waterfront and beautiful gardens add to the charm, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and outdoor activities. Many reviews highlight the impressive views right from the hotel rooms, terraces and the common outdoor areas, ideal for admiring the magical scenery and indulging in alfresco dining.
Guests appreciate the serene atmosphere with the peaceful village of Ulvik adding to the overall appeal. The hotel's proximity to the sea and the fjord allows for private access to swimming and other waterfront activities, further enhancing the guest experience.
With its stunning location, Brakanes Hotel offers an incredibly picturesque and peaceful retreat, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and those seeking a scenic escape in the heart of the fjords region.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at Brakanes Hotel receives generally favorable feedback from guests. Many reviews highlight the breakfast as very good, great or excellent, often noting that it is varied and offers a wide selection. Positive mentions focus on the extensive buffet with fresh, local products and a diverse range of delicious options including fresh bread, salmon, croissants and various toppings.
Guests appreciated the scenic fjord views that accompany their morning meals, adding an extra pleasant dimension to their dining experience. The breakfast service is frequently described as friendly and attentive, further enhancing the overall positive perception.
However, some guests felt that the breakfast offerings could be more exciting or varied, mentioning that the selection could feel a bit limited or boring at times. There were also occasional comments about specific items such as raw eggs and a lack of gluten-free options detracting from the otherwise good impression.
In summary, while there are minor areas for improvement, the breakfast at Brakanes Hotel is largely well-received, praised for its variety, tastiness and the beautiful views that set the perfect tone for the day.
Dinner
Brakanes Hotel's dinner experiences have elicited diverse opinions from its guests. Many visitors praise the à la carte restaurant, commending its high standards and well-prepared local dishes. Phrases like "heavenly," "exceptionally good," and "sublime" describe some guests' experiences, particularly highlighting the delicious flavors and the excellent quality of dishes such as halibut and veal. The ambiance and setting also offered a pleasant dining experience, accompanied by a scenic view over the fjord.
However, the dinner menu has received criticism for its limited options with many diners noting that it lacked variety and often repeated the same choices daily. This limitation detracted from what could have been an otherwise satisfactory dining experience. Several guests remarked that the menu could benefit from more diverse and appealing choices.
Moreover, the cost of dining at the hotel was a significant point of contention. Many reviewers felt that the prices were excessively high, especially considering the portion sizes and the occasional poor quality of certain dishes. Some described the meals as overpriced and not worth the expense, a sentiment that was exacerbated by other complaints about long wait times for drinks and service that failed to meet expectations.
In summary, while some aspects of the Brakanes Hotel's dinner service, such as the taste and presentation of certain dishes, received positive feedback, there were notable concerns about menu variety, pricing and service efficiency.
Rooms
The guest reviews for Brakanes Hotel reveal a mixture of feedback about the rooms with many patrons noting both positive and negative aspects. The positive highlights include spacious and comfortable rooms, particularly those with balconies offering breathtaking fjord views. Guests appreciated the renovated rooms that felt modern and clean and many found the beds to be comfortable, contributing to a restful stay. Specific rooms were described as cozy and simple but clean with some rooms showcasing lovely and beautiful garden views. The addition of balconies in several rooms was a significant plus, providing an enjoyable outdoor space and enhancing the overall experience.
However, many guests pointed out that several rooms felt outdated with old furniture and decor that seemed worn and in need of maintenance and renovation. Common complaints included poor lighting in bathrooms, inadequate ventilation and a general sense of the rooms being basic and not up to modern standards. Some rooms were described as dingy, small and cramped with bathrooms particularly in desperate need of an upgrade. Several reviews mentioned an unpleasant smell in the rooms, adding to a less than ideal impression. The lack of attention to amenities, such as the absence of tea or coffee facilities and minimal hygiene products, was also noted by some guests.
In conclusion, while the Brakanes Hotel offers stunning views and some well-renovated rooms that provide comfort and space, there remains a need for a more widespread modernization of its accommodations to enhance the guest experience fully.
Beds
Brakanes Hotel features a range of beds that have elicited mixed feedback from guests. While some guests found the beds to be good, comfortable and fitting well within their large rooms, others experienced issues with various aspects of bed quality. Some beds were described as too soft, too hard or uncomfortable with a few guests mentioning racetrack-like mattresses and soft mattresses lacking support. Several reviews pointed out that the beds seemed quite worn out or old with some requiring sheet upgrades. Despite these mixed reviews, some guests noted that the beds were not problematic, indicating that experiences can vary widely. Guests might want to check specific rooms or inquire about bed types when booking to ensure they meet their personal comfort preferences.
Cleanliness
The Brakanes Hotel, located right by the fjord, generally garners positive remarks for its cleanliness but shows areas needing improvement. Many guests appreciated the overall cleanliness and neatness delivered by the cleaning staff. Rooms are frequented by positive comments highlighting their cleanliness with descriptions such as very clean, clean and lovely and fresh. The hotel's maintenance generally reflects good upkeep and guests found the hotel to be superbly clean at times.
However, several reviews pointed out deficiencies in the upkeep and housekeeping standards. Some rooms and bathrooms appear dated, needing upgrades and better cleaning with specific mentions of mold, unpleasant smells and outdated equipment. Issues like moldy bathrooms, dirty shower curtains and dead flies on window sills detract from the overall experience. The cleaning standards, particularly in common areas like the indoor swimming pool and dining area, also received criticism, indicating room for improvement in both cleanliness and maintenance.
In summary, while Brakanes Hotel is often seen as clean and well-maintained, there is consensus on the need for upgrades and more consistent, thorough cleaning to meet guest expectations fully.
Staff
The team at Brakanes Hotel consistently garners praise for their friendliness and helpful nature. Many guests highlight the welcoming and professional demeanor of the staff, expressing particular satisfaction with their politeness and readiness to assist. The majority of interactions with hotel personnel are described as pleasant and attentive, contributing to a positive guest experience.
However, some reviews indicate occasional issues with the reception staff's approachability and efficiency. There are mentions of a lack of informativeness and varied service levels among employees. Despite these few discrepancies, the overarching sentiment remains positive with guests frequently noting the staff's courteousness and exceptional service in making their stay enjoyable.
Overall, the service at Brakanes Hotel is largely seen as friendly and efficient with special commendation for the wonderful and attentive staff who go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay for their guests.
Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi experience at Brakanes Hotel varies among guests. Many visitors found the internet connection to be strong and reliable with good coverage extending to the rooms. However, some guests encountered issues, describing the Wi-Fi as weak, moderate or very slow, at times to the point of being unusable. Despite these occasional problems, others have noted that the Wi-Fi was fine and met their needs during their stay.
Pool
At Brakanes Hotel, the indoor pool receives mixed feedback from guests. Some appreciate it as good and even describe it as nice, while others find it too small and not well heated. There are also mentions of the pool being freezing cold at times. The outdoor pool is frequently noted as being out of service, which has led to some disappointment. Despite this, the hotel offers other amenities like a large pier with a sauna and a hot tub, although the outdoor hot tub is also noted to be closed on occasion. Overall, the pools at Brakanes Hotel seem to vary in quality with some positive remarks about the indoor pool's temperature when it is well-heated.
Family
Brakanes Hotel offers a welcoming and family-friendly environment with activities that cater to all ages. Families have consistently enjoyed their stays, highlighting the family-oriented ambiance and numerous activities designed to keep everyone entertained. The hotel has become a favorite spot for family reunions and gatherings with plenty of spaces and options for all ages to enjoy.
Guests have noted the good family atmosphere and excellent amenities for families, making it a preferred family getaway. The positive experiences and fun activities have led many families to plan return visits, reinforcing its reputation as a good family hotel.
4 Star
Brakanes Hotel has received mixed reviews from guests regarding its four-star rating, facilities and services. Some guests believe the hotel meets or even exceeds four-star expectations with some expressing satisfaction with the level of service and amenities provided. However, there are several reviews indicating that the hotel falls short of its four-star rating.
Criticisms often focus on the facilities, which some guests describe as outdated and lacking in amenities expected of a four-star establishment. For instance, certain guests highlighted the absence of room refrigerators and mention that the overall comfort of the rooms could be improved. A few guests also felt that the staff performance did not align with four-star standards and mentioned instances where services should have been offered proactively rather than upon request.
Overall, while some guests find that Brakanes Hotel meets or matches what one would anticipate from a four-star hotel, others feel it does not fully live up to that classification, suggesting room for improvement in both facilities and service quality.
Business
Brakanes Hotel offers a conducive environment for business travelers, featuring an array of business-friendly amenities. With multiple meeting rooms and conference spaces available, it caters well to corporate events and business conferences. The hotel is strategically located, making it a convenient business spot. The business-oriented rooms and work-friendly spaces enhance the overall productivity of guests. While the hotel excels in providing a beneficial business experience with accessible facilities and services, it is noted that the smell in some rooms and bathrooms can be unpleasant and staff interactions are described as reserved. Nonetheless, Brakanes Hotel stands out as a practical choice for business trips, despite the lack of additional activities at the hotel.
Accessible
Brakanes Hotel offers a highly accessible environment for guests with disabilities, ensuring a comfortable stay. With wheelchair access and an elevator available, the hotel caters to the needs of all visitors. The accessible facilities and amenities received positive feedback, highlighting the comprehensive accessibility options and lack of issues. Guests particularly appreciated the hotel's effort to be inclusive, making it a great choice for families.
Heated Pool
The heated pool at Brakanes Hotel receives favorable mentions for being well-maintained and providing a pleasant experience for guests. Described as good and nice, this indoor pool with heated water is a highlight for many. Additionally, the hotel offers a Jacuzzi and sauna by the fjord for a small fee, although the outdoor sauna and hot tub are currently closed. Some reviews noted that the pool area could be cleaner and found the pool to be rather small and occasionally empty, impacting the overall experience.
Indoor Pool
Visitors to Brakanes Hotel have shared mixed feedback regarding the indoor pool. Positively, the pool is well-maintained with good cleanliness and a pleasing ambiance. Guests also appreciated the overall quality of the pool area. However, the pool is noted to be small and the temperature is described as cold. There were instances where both the pool and the indoor sauna were out of service, which affected the overall experience. Despite this, the pool's upkeep and environment are generally appreciated by those who used it.
Historic
Brakanes Hotel exudes a sense of history and classic charm that appeals to visitors who appreciate its historic ambiance and classic exterior. This historic property stands out with its notable historic details and rooms that transport guests to a bygone era. While some areas of the building show signs of old age and require modernization, the historic feel remains intact and adds to the overall experience. Despite the tired and dated interiors, the worn look is consistent with the standard of hotels in Norway. For those who find beauty in the classic aesthetic, Brakanes Hotel offers a large and beautiful old-world stay that aligns well with contemporary expectations.
Luxury
Brakanes Hotel offers an impressive luxury feel throughout the property with spacious rooms that exude a high-end experience. Guests can enjoy a luxurious environment with stunning views and beautifully maintained gardens. The restaurant adds to the luxurious ambiance, providing a high-end dining experience. The hotel captures an authentic feel, making it a memorable stay for visitors. Many express their gratitude for the lovely time spent and look forward to returning, highlighting the overall satisfaction and comfort experienced at Brakanes Hotel.
Romantic
Brakanes Hotel offers an enchanting setting perfect for a romantic getaway, enveloped in a romantic atmosphere that couples find appealing. The hotel's location is superb, providing a romantic view and ambiance that creates a cozy, intimate mood. Guests rave about the romantic dining space and the beautiful romantic garden, both of which enhance the overall romantic feel of the stay. Cleanliness is meticulously maintained with fantastic cleaners ensuring a pristine environment. Overall, Brakanes Hotel stands out as a great place for a romantic hideaway, favored by couples seeking a special spot to spend quality time together.
Dog Friendly
Brakanes Hotel is well-regarded for its dog-friendly environment, making it a convenient option for those traveling with pets. The hotel goes out of its way to accommodate dogs, offering dedicated dog-friendly spaces, areas and a range of amenities specifically for canine guests. Rooms tailored for pets are provided with some featuring garden exits and stunning views of the fjord, adding an extra touch of comfort for both owners and their pets.
Guests with dogs often receive rooms with direct access to the garden, enhancing the stay with convenience and beautiful scenery. The exteriors and common spaces of the hotel are also designed to be welcoming for pets, making it a pleasant experience overall.
However, it is important to note that there is a daily charge of 300 kr for bringing a dog, which might be a consideration for future stays. Despite this additional fee, the hotel remains a favored choice for pet owners due to its comprehensive dog-friendly benefits and amenities.
Yes, Brakanes Hotel has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Heated Pool, Indoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Brakanes Hotel.
Yes, Brakanes Hotel welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Brakanes Hotel.