Clarion Hotel® Ernst

Nice to see this famous old hotel back to its former high standard, back to normal after Covid-9. Given a nice room on the third floor, well equipped, Friendly staff. The best was the restaurant. We ate dinner at the hotel every day and took the waiter's advice to choose - dish of the day "dagens". Superb food, real gourmet. Breakfast was also of a high standard. Nice location a few minutes walk from the city main street and a couple of minutes from the railway station and bus station. Will definitely be back at this hotel in the near future.

We booked a standard double room for 2 adults and 1 kid. Given room at the 4th floor and ceiling were slant. It was very difficult to move freely in the room as at times there was danger of hitting our head to the slant ceiling. For a family, we would expect hotel to provide different room than the ones with slant ceilings. Breakfast was okay but you have to prebook for the next day in advance. There were 2 areas for breakfast, one in the same floor as of reception and other one was downstairs which is primarily a conference hall but being used a breakfast area because of many guests. Conference area doesn't have all the breakfast items as compared to other one at the ground floor for ex no coffee machine or half fried eggs. I was told both areas offer same breakfast :( So make sure to book breakfast in the ground floor area well in advance otherwise slots get full quickly. In the room few basic things like coffee powder and sugar were not given on daily basis. Few positive things: Location is very prime and close to almost every important place like bus terminal, train station and shopping street. They were offering free water bottles near the reception which is really required in hot summer. Booking the breakfast through mobile was quick and easy. They offered storage area to put our luggage as we arrived bit early than 15:00 hrs and you can checkout and still keep the luggage which is a really nice things. At the entrance, there were quite a few informative templates about the places you can visit in Kristiansand.

Uninterested receptionists, room was not prepared (in spite late check in), breakfast was the most disappointing ever: chaotic, no service, freezing cold + bad smell in the restaurant, lack of food + low quality, terrible coffee. In spite of pandemic; I expect much more from Clarion. We didn’t feel welcome, it wasn’t worth it.

I have to admit how surprised I was when I arrived at the hotel. The pictures on here and on their website make it look wonderful. The lobby was uninviting and bland with weird mis-matched decor. There is a small area off the lobby with bathroom items for sale... all of which were VERY dusty. There was a "dj music cart" parked off in the corner.... that just didn't feel right in an "upscale hotel". We stayed during weekend and there was never any music. We booked a "family room".... and have stayed in MANY family rooms in other hotels.... this room was barely large enough to sleep two people comfortably! Kids bunk-beds crammed into a corner, barely enough room to walk around the bed, etc... The room was so hot that we had to keep the window open at all times. And unfortunately, the window would barely open. The bathroom was tired and in need of a redo. Paint peeling on door frame, holes in tile around the vanity, sink overflow drain wasn't connected a drain, so water would just pour out onto the floor. A positive note, the staff was very kind and welcoming and the hotel location is good. When we visit Kristiansand again, we won't be staying here. For the $, there are nicer options.

Comfortable big beds single beds and comfortable bunk beds perfect for 4 people. I love the big pillows. Nice clean bathroom with bathtub with Ritual (brand name) soaps, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion. Delicious breakfast with lots of choices. Clean, modern and practical room. Great location in the middle of Kristiansand, close to café, restaurants, shops etc.