I found a good deal for this hotel which was some ...

I found a good deal for this hotel which was some 700NKR cheaper than other hotels. Check in was a little slow at first as I didn't see the button to summon the staff - the restaurant was very busy being the week before Christmas. After that, it was slick and I was quickly in my room. The corridors are spartan and the room is best described as rustic, tying in with the hotel name which means 'Old Workshop' I was told. The room was spacious, warm and comfortable. Take a book as there wasn't much for non-English speakers on the telly. WiFi is freely available throughout the hotel.

I went back down to reception to see if I could eat in the busy restaurant. I was courteously told that there would be a short wait whilst a table was readied. I was shown a to a sofa and offered a glass of wine. The menu is in Norwegian, understandably, but my waitress was very helpful explaining it and the choice of the Christmas buffet. I opted for the lutefisk, a Norwegian specialty, and not something I had tried before. As it was served I was told that the chef would do me something else if I didn't like it, which was really generous. I did it and it wasn't so bad.

I had a good night's sleep and the buffet breakfast was excellent with many choices.

The hotel is just a couple of minutes from the railway station and the bus interchange but is also by the shops which have great displays and not one Primark to be seen!

Overall, a good stay with friendly and helpful staff and an excellent restaurant.Remember, this is Norway so will be more expensive than the UK. but to my mind was relatively good value