Thon Hotel Polar

This hotel should be a four star, not a three star, and if it isn’t the number one in Tromsø i would be surprised. Firdt, the staff: everything you would expect and more. Helpful, kind, polite, knowledgeable, and goes the extra mile for example, when i was leaving very early on my check out morning, and would miss the breakfast, the reception staff inquired if they could make up a breakfast box for me. Wow! I didnt have to ask, they just offered. And when my key failed to work, another was produced immediately, literally within seconds. The staff person even gave me his direct line, sothat if this happened agon, i could call him and he could come to me, rather than me having to come to reception to him. Second, the rooms. I only had one room a superior double, but i did peek into a couple of oyhers as they were being cleaned and they appeared uniformly well appointed. Housekeeping was friendly and asked me if there were anything specific i needed, when i saw them in the hallway. Again, going out of their way to help. My room was large, even by US standards, when tend to find Europen hotel rooms pokey. I was on the ninth floor with views of downtown and the Dom Kirche, and the snow covered mountains beyond. Gorgeous at night! And the windows opened, hallelujah, so i could let in that beautiful, clean Arctic air! The bed was wonderful, the duvet just right, and the tv easy to figure out. Bathroom toiletries were luscious and nicely scented (very unisex) and the hot water was hot and abundant. The towels were good, and absorbent. They were not bath sheets, which i prefer, but i have not found bath sheets in any truly Europen lodgings. The bathrobe was roomy and comfy too! Lighting in the room was what you would want, some near the bed head, one at the desk area, and overheads available in room and hallway. Ample closet space. Real hangers, and plenty of them. Places for luggage as well as the myriad of things people bring with them on holiday. Third, the breakfast buffet, which is included in the room price. A nicely appointed dining roomwith free seating and a mouthwatering array of foods. Service was from 6-10 weekdays and. 8-11 on weekends, which makes a lot of sense. I dislike buffets which stop early so you have to get up and ready sooner than you might wish to. The food begins with a choice of cereals and yoghurts with dried fruit and nuts and again, they had plain yoghurt, not those sugary prepackaged things i have seen elsewhere. There was chia pudding as well, a selection of juices, and carafes of water. There was an entire section devoted to lactose free yoghurt and gluten free baked good with a dedicated gluten free toaster. I am not gluten free, but have friends who are, and this was remarkable attention to detail. On the cold buffet one had a choice of at least three different types of bread with various grains and seeds, and gorgeous real butter. Several types of jams were also on offer, as well as fresh fruit including apples, pears and grapes. Salad leaves, tomatoes, cucumbers and several sorts of spreads including taramosalata, chutneys, and pickled vegetables, were presented. Sliced ham, proscioutto, and lox (salmon) was next, along with a few different cheeses. If you still had room, the hot buffet offered sort of a Nordic take on a full English: baked beans in tomato sauce, grilled tomatoes, scrambled eggs, hard boiled eggs, a kind of liver loaf that reminded me of scrapple, meatballs made with chicken but seasoned like sausage, sausages, sautéed mushrooms, broiled cauliflower florets, broccoli florets in sauce, pre made cheese omelette tray bake, and i think that was all. Oh yes, they had something resembling a cross between grits and hot oatmeal and i cant remember what it was called. Two trays of croissants and pastries rounded out the offerings. I could not have moved if i ate everything, but i was there for five mornings, so was able to sample almost everything. A coffee and tea station was also presented, with teapots to make a good and proper brew. The staff here as everywhere else in this hotel was attentive and cheerful. I honestly cannot fault this hotel. It is excellent, and when i visit Tromsø again, which i intend to, I shall book in there for sure.