Sjømilitære Samfund

Atmospheric place to stay, about 15 minutes walk from the ferry terminal. It’s a former naval school and the old building has beautiful nautical paraphernalia, paintings & ship models. The accommodation block where my room was is a modern, bright and light building - in the winter it would be very warm and snug. In my opinion, the staff were some of the very best I’ve ever encountered in a hotel - enthusiastic, knowledgeable, perfect English, smartly turned out. They were excellent ambassadors for the hotel, Horten & Norway. Breakfast was excellent - a selection of cooked dishes and a large spread of buffet food. I had evening meals on two nights, it was a fixed menu (a sort of meal of the day) - I don’t know if a vegetarian or vegan alternative is available. It’s Norway so alcoholic drinks are very expensive, not the hotel’s fault. I needed an early departure and the staff ensured I still had a hearty breakfast before I left. There’s a large free car park - presumably the former parade ground and pleasant walking routes, it’s only a few minutes from the superb maritime museum. Negatives - not many facilities if you’re looking for extras like swimming pool, gym etc - maybe they were there but I didn’t see them. I’d be very happy to return with family in future.

The hotel comprises two properties, a 19th century grand building in the style of a Swiss Chalet and just across the car park the accommodation annex. All the rooms are on the 1st floor and there is a lift. Hotel room was fine, clean, comfortable, nice bed, good Wi-Fi and peaceful. The whole complex is set in wood land. The main building houses the restaurant, and function rooms. The restaurant overlooks the car park and the extra part of the restaurant is the old library. Both are pleasant, the library especially but the main restaurant room lacks atmosphere. Food is OK. Breakfast is part buffet part ordered. Coffee cups are much too small not jug of coffee is left on the table, so always a wait for more coffee. I had dinner one evening. Service was good but meal and presentation lacking. Around the ground floor are scattered various historical naval effects as well as many naval pictures, these of course depict the buildings history but make the place feel museum like.