Hotels near Svalbard Airport - LYR, Longyearbyen

We loved the people, we met. Everyone was hospitable. And all the guides we had, were really good and dedicated. The Haugen pensjonat was, like everything else, an excellent experience. We felt everybody did their best and loved what they did. We had fish and chips at Kroa. The food was really nice and good for the price, and the room was a local experience made of timber. We went around in Longyearbyen by foot or were driven by our guides. Between the airport and the town is also a bus with reasonable prices. For my next visit, I would wear warmer clothes - a thin layer of merino wool under the gloves and normal clothes.

The end of the earth, or so it feels... we arrived for snow on the ground in September and below freezing the whole time. The one big shop, the Co-op, in the town is great, has everything you need, plus the only alcohol shop is part of it selling a big range, you need to show a boarding pass for your flight to buy drink though! Liked the Svalbard brewery by the harbour, their beer is in every bar in town but on a Friday you can book a space in their taproom, really good. Karlsberger pub (in the shopping centre) is worth a go too, lots of mining decor and a huge range of spirits. For unusual food, Mary-Ann's Polarrigg has a restaurant attached with (so I heard) superb food, but the bar there will serve food too, we had the home smoked tasting plate of Minke whale, bearded seal and reindeer which was fascinating. Didn't see any polar bears, which was both good and bad, it's a strange feeling to be walking around and not to be the alpha predator...

For somebody from South India the place can only be described as otherworldly... like going to a different planet, almost. The weather was in the minus 20 s when i visited last week and it is essential that one prepares for this if visiting in the winter. It is not exactly easy to get around in this island of 2,000 people or so. I came to my hotel in the airport bus and was picked up by the organisers of my various activities like dog sledding etc. I believe there is a taxi but am not sure it can be hailed quickly. Apart from the city centre ( which is 3 streets) other places like the church, harbour etc are a bit of a walk and one has to be prepared for that. It is impossible to walk to these places in winter in the cold and pitch dark. Vegetarian food options were available but limited. Overall, it was a memorable experience, though.

This is a very interesting fully functional Cory located in the middle of the Arctic Ocean pretty close to the North Pole. (Closer to the north pile than any other major city in the world.) Anyone can visit Svalbard and stay here as long as you like, regardless of 'nationality' / passport(s). It's great if you have money, but even if you don't you can find inexpensive food at the store (if you look hard) and there's free food left at the hostel, plus they give you free breakfast. 🙂

Friendly, clean, warm, welcoming and quirky. Excellent home cooked breakfast. Close to town. So quirky it reminded me of Banksy’s Walled Off hotel on the West Bank. Great opportunity to stay in ex-mining accommodation.

If you are active and passionate about the stunning beauty of the Arctic, Longyearbyen should be on your list. By snowmobile, skis, or even by foot, you will discover extreme landscapes, dramatic snow-covered mountains, and glaciers. In March, the colors of the sunset and twilight hours are the dream of any photographer. Pack your stay with many activities and certainly do not miss out on all the great food that the many restaurants in town have to offer.