Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, in Bergen, Norway is centrally located

Discover Beautiful Bergen, Norway

My father’s side of the family hails from Alesund, Norway. I’ve always wanted to visit Bergen, Norway – the gateway to the Fjords of Norway. Be warned, Bergen is expensive to visit, as are most Norwegian cities. With that in mind, I’ll share my lodging secret with you. Thon Hotels – with properties in Norway, Sweden, Belgium and Holland, is affordable and a good value.

Hotel Rosenkrantz – Ideally Situated

Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz has an excellent location to Bergen’s downtown and the well known wharf area. The entire city is deemed a UNESCO WORLD Heritage City, but the popular spots appear to be the Fish Market, the Finicular to Mount Floyuen and the many Bergen art museums; all within walking distance of Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz.

Standard Single Room #215 at Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz

The 129 room Thon Rosenkrantz has 18 smoking rooms and one handicapped room that is currently under-going renovation. Several of the rooms are pet-friendly. There is a television, telephone and vending machine type mini fridge for drinks and snacks.

If you didn’t get enough exercise walking Bergen, the hotel has an agreement for guests to use the nearby gym. Those looking to stay connected will appreciate the free wi-fi in room and large desk with good lighting. There is also a complimentary computer for guest use, however, it was not operating during my visit. Every staff encounter, from front desk to restaurant, to house-keeping was friendly and polite.

Room with a  View

My room, #215, is a standard single and rents for 1,395 Norwegian Kroner (Norway is not part of the EU.) While most places accept US credit cards and euro, it is best to ask what form of currency is accepted in advance of your stay. Room #215 is accessible via elevator and stairs. The room faces out to a side street and local garden. There is street noise, so bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper.

Thon Rosenkrantz provides free internet and a comfortable place to work with a laptop computer.

Bathroom Efficiencies

While I am happy to have my own bathroom and shower at Thon Rosenkrantz, I take issue with the shower drainage. The shower allows direct access to the shared floor in front of the bathroom sink, where an electric hairdryer awaits your use. I used a towel to mop up the pooling water in front of the sink basin, yet I was still weary to use the hair dryer, not wanting to test my body’s ability to transfer electricity.

Breakfast and Dinner Included

Budget conscientious travelers will appreciate the fact that breakfast and dinner are included in the price of lodging. Breakfast is served from 6:30-10 a.m. and includes juices, coffee, hot chocolate and espresso, hot buffet, fruit, cereals, meats, cheeses and wonderful – and I do mean wonderful – local breads.

Dinner is considered a light supper by Norwegian standards, but I found the hot entree, homemade soup, salad and fruit quite filling. Americans will be surprised to learn that Norwegians eat their waffles for dessert. I almost passed up making myself a waffle, thinking I would have one the next morning at breakfast. Good thing I changed my mind, as no waffle maker appeared in the morning. Along with the breads, the waffles are a carb-lovers dream come true. Slather on some of the raspberry, strawberry or lingonberry jam and you’ll have yourself a party. Supper is served Monday-Thursday from 6-9 p.m.

If You Go:

Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz +47 55 30 14 14

Rosenkrantzgate 7, N-5003 Bergen, Norway

Related Post:

Things to Do in Bergen, Norway

Article written by and photos courtesy of  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip I was a guest of  Thon Hotels. For more information on Norway, go to:

VisitNorway.com/us  and VisitBergen.com.

On a Los Angeles business trip with a friend, we needed a hotel that was close to Universal Studios Hollywood and convenient to Burbank. We found it with the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn (also known as the Holiday Inn at Universal Studios Hollywood)

The Retro Brick Wall at the Beverly Garland

Located just north of Ventura Blvd. in North Hollywood, the Beverly Garland is tucked away on a tree-shaded plot of land that almost makes you think you’re not in the heart of the city – if it weren’t for the noise of the nearby freeway.

The rooms feature a choice of one king or two queen beds and all guestrooms are smoke-free (something I really liked). The hotel recently renovated the property, adding new beds and carpeting and updating the public areas, like the pool. However, the hotel still has a retro feel to it. The room I stayed in had a faux white brick wall opposite the bed, giving the room a 50’s feel to it.

All rooms also come with private balconies, though they are small, and free WiFi. Security is a priority, with all entrances besides the main one requiring a room key to enter. There is also a free shuttle to Universal Hollywood, where you can also catch the Metro down to Hollywood Blvd. and beyond.

The Tiny Balcony of the Room at the Beverly Garland

The Beverly Garland has an on-site restaurant and lounge, but I didn’t try either once I discovered there was a nearby In’n'Out burger.

Families will enjoy the KidSuites. There are five of them and they feature a partitioned room separating the “parent” queen bed from a set of bunk beds. These rooms also come with a refrigerator, microwave and a small game table. And since this is a Holiday Inn, kids under 12 eat free, too.

One thing I didn’t like was the elevator in the main building where I was staying. It was small and smelled a bit all three days I was there. I also didn’t like that the hotel charged guests a $14 per night parking fee.

If you decide to stay here, sign up for Holiday Inn’s Priority Rewards loyalty program (it’s free!). You’ll not only accrue points for future HI stays, but this hotel offers discounted parking for members.

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Beverly Garland Holiday Inn
4222 Vineland Ave
N. Hollywood, CA 91602
Phone: 818-980-8000
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[Photos courtesy Michelle Snow]

Fort Boonesborough State Park, a living history museum

Back in the spring, I caught Kentucky State Parks fever after writing about several for Uptake. The post about Natural Bridge State Park, and my discovery of a screamin’ lodging deal inspired me to go there again and take in Ft. Boonesborough while we were in the area. Ft. Boonesborough is where Daniel Boone lived in between his explorations of the Cumberland Gap.

Daniel Boone did not wear a coonskin cap

Ft. Boonesborough is a worthy stop for all ages, particularly if you’re there when the Daniel Boone interpreter is offering talks. Anyone who loves the idea of Daniel Boone wearing a coonskin cap will be sorely disappointed. It didn’t happen. As I learned, Daniel Boone was a gentleman type and wouldn’t have worn a coonskin cap for anything. That chapeau idea came about with the 1960s series when Fess Parker brought Boone into living rooms across the United States.

Although the fort you see today is a replica and not on the exact spot, it’s a perfect place to gain an idea of what life was like back in the frontier days. The weekends are the best for visits since the costumed interpreters are more likely to be doing their crafts like candle dipping, weaving and gun making. My son was promised a gun by the gun maker if my son brought a thousand plus bushels of salt the next time we visit. Or maybe it was a thousand pounds. Whatever, we don’t have that much salt so there’s no way he’ll get that gun.

Walk under the bridge for the best perspective

Ft. Boonesborough does have a lovely campground. We drove to Natural Bridge State Park, however, to stay in Hemlock Lodge there. The drive is roughly 45 minutes or so and is a way to take in the gorgeous scenery of the Red River Gorge section of Kentucky.

Natural Bridge is splendid. The sky ride to the top of the bridge is worth it. My son and I hiked up there earlier in the day, but we wanted to sky ride experience as well. If you do take the sky ride, walk down the path after you cross the bridge in order to see what the bridge looks like from below.

About camping at Ft. Boonesborough:

• Open all year round
• There are 167 sites with water and electricity hook-ups
• Campground has central shower location and small grocery store
• Campground email booncamp@bellsouth.net

Related posts:

• John James Audobon State Park
• Daniel Boone’s Home in Missouri
• Prairie State Park Missouri, where bison roam

Photos courtesy of Jamie Rhein

With 100 or more places to stay by the beach in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta, why would you choose one that’s not facing the water? In most cases, you wouldn’t, but these three lodging options are unique enough to make up for their location further inland.

Suite at Hacienda San Angel in Puerto Vallarta

Hacienda San Angel – Downtown Puerto Vallarta

Some people are beach people, others are more interested in cities and a sense of place. For the latter group, the best inn to be found in Puerto Vallarta views the bay from above the city’s iconic Guadalupe Cathedral. Hacienda San Angel is a unique boutique hotel with 19 rooms and suites, each a bit different and all filled with museum-quality artifacts, mostly from Mexico’s colonial history. Some rooms have panoramic views of the city and bay and so does the highly regarded restaurant, which is open to non-guests. Official rates start at $435 double with breakfast but package deals can bring it down. See more at HaciendaSanAngel.com.

View from a suite at Casa Velas, Puerto Vallarta

Casa Velas – Marina area, Puerto Vallarta

This sister property to the larger Grand Velas is an intimate hotel situated on the Marina Vallarta Club de Golf, where all-inclusive means you order off a menu for all meals. With only 80 rooms, guests get plenty of personal attention here and it’s easy to get to know other vacationers at the lobby bar or swim-up pool bar. You can still get in plenty of beach time here though: the resort has its own private beach club less than five minutes away and a complimentary shuttle is part of the package. Rates start at $480 double, all-inclusive. Get details at HotelCasaVelas.com

Tahéima Wellness Spa and Resort – Nuevo Vallarta

Taheima Wellness Spa and Resort room

The newest hotels in the Nuevo Vallarta region is also situated on a golf course, in this case El Tigre. The main focus here is on healthy living and conditioning, however. One of the largest public spaces is a yoga studio, there are daily Pilates and Tai-chi classes, and the menu emphasizes nutritional but tasty meals. (Yes, you can get a cocktail or beer, but not until after 5:00.) The rooms and public spaces are a visual delight, there are two large pools with snack service, and guests have access to a condo complex’s beach club nearby when it’s time for sun and surf. Current soft opening rates start at $324 double all-inclusive. See more at Taheima.com.

Review and photos by writer and travel destinations expert Tim Leffel, author of four books including Travel Writing 2.o.