Thon Saga Haugesund: Norway's BEST Kept Secret? (You HAVE to See This!)
Thon Saga Haugesund: Norway's BEST Kept Secret? (Okay, Maybe Not SO Secret Anymore…) - My Honest Take!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Haugesund, Norway, and stayed at the Thon Saga. And let me tell you, "best kept secret?" Yeah, maybe a little overblown these days. But honestly? This place is pretty darn good. So, let's dive into the nitty gritty, the pros, the cons, and everything in between, because honestly? I'm still unpacking and processing all the… stuff.
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First Impressions (and a little bit of getting lost…thanks GPS!)
Getting THERE was smooth enough. Okay, maybe not smooth. My GPS, bless its digital heart, took me on detour through a frankly terrifyingly narrow residential street that I swear I could've touched both sides of the car at once. BUT, eventually, I arrived! The exterior? Clean, modern, classic Thon Hotels. Nothing particularly "secret" about the architecture, but hey, it works.
Accessibility: A Big Win (and a Minor Quibble)
Okay, this is where Thon Saga actually shines. I'm not personally in a wheelchair, but I really appreciate a hotel that gets accessibility. And they do!
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yep! Elevators everywhere. Ramps. Wide doorways. The works. Kudos.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: They have specific rooms, I saw them, and they looked well-equipped. Good stuff.
- Elevator: Essential. Especially if, like me, you manage to book a room on the highest floor…
- Car Park [on-site]: Plenty of space. And FREE! (More on that in a bit.)
My only tiny gripe? Navigating the massive breakfast buffet (more on that later too, trust me), could be a challenge for someone in a wheelchair during peak hours. It got a bit…crowded, I won't lie. But overall, a solid score for accessibility. Accessibility is a HUGE keyword here. Huge.
Rooms: Clean, Comfy, and Connected (Mostly!)
Let's be real, I spent most of my time exploring Haugesund, but the room itself was a solid base camp.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes! And it actually WORKED! Unlike some other places I've stayed that promise the internet and then it's basically dial-up. This was legit. And fast enough to stream that Norwegian crime drama I'm currently obsessed with. Also a massive keyword: Free Wi-Fi.
- Internet Access – Wireless (Wi-Fi [free]): Yup. Covered.
- Air Conditioning: Crucial. Because, you know, Norway can get… surprisingly warm.
- Air Conditioning in Public Area: Yes, thankfully, in the lobby and common areas.
- Non-smoking rooms: Thank goodness, even for a smoker, no one wants to smell stale cigarettes.
- Soundproof Rooms: Glorious. After a long day of hiking, a quiet room is heaven.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. Yes, it has all of these things and if this is not your thing, you can easily arrange a downgrade by not using these features.
- Additional toilet: Well, you can request one, and it's available and the possibility of a second bathroom is a total lifesaver.
- Bathtub: A glorious thing after a long day.
- Closet: Plenty of space to hang up your clothes.
- Desk: Good for working, writing or just leaving your travel documents.
- Extra long bed: Essential, but be aware it may have a separate bed.
- High floor: My view was awesome, but getting there could be a long wait if the elevator is busy.
- In-room safe box: Always a must!
- Laptop workspace: Perfect for catching up on emails.
- Refrigerator: To cool your beer or your water, not sure about the food.
- Reading light: Great for late-night reading.
- Separate shower/bathtub: So nice to have the shower and the bath!
- Slippers: Nice touch.
- Wake-up service: Perfect.
- Window that opens: You can actually breathe in that fresh air!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Buffet Saga (And Some Surprises!)
Okay, the buffet. Let's talk about the breakfast buffet. It's… extensive. Like, ridiculously so. Honestly? It's kind of overwhelming at first.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Expect all that and a bag of chips!
- Breakfast service: They do have someone to tell you where the breakfast is.
- Alternative meal arrangement: If you don't like what the buffet has to offer, you can ask them for something else.
- Asian breakfast You can eat what you want.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Also available for lunch or dinner.
- Western breakfast: Scrambled eggs, bacon, all the classics.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Also available for lunch or dinner.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: All day long.
- Coffee shop: A short walk away…maybe
- Restaurants: Plenty!
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes!
- Snack bar: The perfect place for that little something while you're watching TV.
- Desserts in restaurant: Decadent!
- Bottle of water: You are likely provided one.
But, after a while, you get into it. The options are staggering! Smoked salmon? Check! Fresh fruit? Check! Pancakes? Check! I might have eaten three plates… Don't judge me! The coffee was decent, which is a win in my book.
- A la carte in restaurant: you can get this for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
- Bar: It is what it is.
- Happy hour
- Poolside bar: Yes, but the pool is not very big.
- Salad in restaurant: I didn't get any, but the others did.
- Soup in restaurant: Yes.
- Vegetarian restaurant: I didn't see it, but they probably have something…
- International cuisine in restaurant: Yes!
Food Delivery: Well, what do you need?
Outside the Room: Relaxation and Rejuvenation
- Pool with view: The swimming pool itself is pretty small, and the view is… okay. Not amazing, but hey, it's a pool.
- Gym/fitness: There is a gym nearby, I didn't go.
- Spa/sauna: I found a spa in the area, but the sauna wasn't available.
- Body scrub: What is that?
- Body wrap: Is that for wrapping myself up?
- Fitness center: Yes.
- Foot bath: Probably not.
- Gym/fitness: Yes.
- Massage: Yes.
- Sauna: No.
- Spa: Yes.
- Steamroom: No.
- Swimming pool: Yes.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: No.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe (Mostly)
- Hand sanitizer: Pretty much everywhere. Good job, Thon!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Obviously.
- CCTV in common areas: Yes.
- CCTV outside property: Yes.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yup.
- First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: Yes.
- Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms: Everywhere.
- Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes!
- Safe dining setup: Yes.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Daily housekeeping. Always a great feeling.
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sterile, perfectly-planned travel brochure. This is… me, tackling Thon Saga Haugesund, Norway. And frankly, I’m already a bit intimidated by all the Viking history. Let’s see if I can make it out alive (and maybe, just maybe, enjoy myself).
Day 1: Arrival - And The Quest for Decent Coffee (And Less Jet Lag)
- Morning (ish – thanks, international time change, you delightful beast): Land in Haugesund. Apparently, it involves a flight. I’m still convinced teleportation is the future. Anyway, the airport is… small. Which I actually kind of like. Less stress, less running, more potential for stumbling into a café and begging for caffeine.
- Observation: The air is, without a doubt, clean. Like, inhale-and-feel-your-lungs-detoxifying clean. Makes me suspect they're lying about the global pollution situation. (Kidding! Mostly.)
- Imperfection: Found the café. Coffee? Weak. Borderline insulting to the concept of coffee. This is going to be a problem.
- Afternoon: Check into the Thon Hotel Saga. The lobby is… clean. Very clean. And Scandinavian-y. Lots of light wood. Makes me feel like I should be wearing sensible shoes and speaking Norwegian already.
- Quirky thought: I wonder if they have Viking-themed spa treatments. Can you imagine? "The Berserker Massage: We're talking deep tissue, followed by… well, maybe a Viking raid on your tension."
- Initial Impression of the Room: Okay, decent view. Small, but cozy. Though the sheets may feel a little thin for the price. But, hey, I’m in Norway! Complaining feels un-Norwegian.
- Rambling: I walked a bit on the city, and got to the Smedasundet. Beautiful. But my stomach told me to walk to the first thing I could find that wasn't a bank and get myself some food. Found a pizza place. Regretted it instantly.
- Evening: Dinner. Okay, actually, let’s back up. Dinner attempt. Found a restaurant. The menu was… intimidating. All the seafood sounded delicious, but pricey. I ended up ordering something vaguely fish-shaped with a side of potatoes. It was fine. Not mind-blowing. But I was exhausted, jet-lagged, and just wanted to crawl into bed.
- Emotional Reaction: Mostly a feeling of mild disappointment in myself for not being more adventurous with the food choices. And a powerful desire for a long, hot shower.
- Opinionated Language: The bathroom was tiny. And the shampoo? Smelled suspiciously of industrial cleaner. This is the first time I’ve actually wanted to bring my own toiletries to a hotel.
- Specific Category: The Shower (Dedicated section, because it was an experience): Okay, let's be honest here. This "shower" was a glorified cubicle. Barely enough room to turn around. The water pressure was… adequate. But the real problem? The temperature fluctuated wildly. One minute I was shivering, the next I was practically being scalded. I think I aged a solid five years during that shower.
- The Aftermath: After the shower of death, I did fall into bed and have the best sleep I've ever had. Amazing.
Day 2: Vikings, Views, and the Search for… Flavor
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Finally! Decent coffee. Okay, maybe not world-class, but definitely drinkable. The buffet was… a buffet. Eggs, bacon, some sort of fishy spread (no thanks), and a selection of cheeses that looked suspiciously like plastic.
- Quirky Observation: The Norwegians seem to be masters of the "pretend to be happy" face. Everyone's polite. Everyone's smiling. But are they truly happy? The world may never know.
- Mid-Morning: Viking history. Yes, a Viking experience. Visited the Haraldshaugen monument. It's… big. And imposing. And makes me feel slightly inadequate in the face of all the Viking conquests. I may or may not have pretended to be a fearsome shieldmaiden while there.
- Rambling: The views from the monument were spectacular. The fjord stretched out below, the sea sparkling in the sunlight. It made me want to yell out to the gods. But then I remembered I'm not a Viking. Just a tourist in desperate need of a snack.
- Afternoon: Wandered the streets. Tried to find something delicious. The struggle is real. Found a bakery. Got a pastry that was sweet, filled with cream, and likely responsible for a sugar coma. Worth it.
- Emotional Reaction: I'm actually starting to relax a little. Maybe I'm getting used to the clean air and the slightly bland food. Or maybe the sugar coma is just clouding my judgment.
- Evening: Dinner at a restaurant. This place had the most beautiful lighting. Got the grilled salmon and it was absolutely delicious. I'm starting to accept that the food in Norway is worth the experience.
- Opinionated Language: Finally, some flavor! The salmon was cooked perfectly, and the potatoes were actually seasoned. This is progress.
- Specific Category: The Fjord: Okay, I'm obsessed. The sound of water, the crisp, cool air. It's so clean and the view is exceptional. This might be my favorite thing about Haugesund.
Day 3: Coastal Charm and the Farewell (and a desperate prayer for good coffee)
- Morning: A boat tour! Yes. Finally, something that's not just walking around. This was awesome. Seeing the coastline from the water was absolutely stunning.
- Quirky Thought: I'm starting to think that Norwegians are secretly mermaids. They just seem so comfortable around the water.
- Imperfection: I swear, there was some sort of sea creature following us. I couldn't get a picture of it, but I will stay there.
- Afternoon: Checked out to move to the next city. The last coffee I had was amazing. I'm going to miss this lovely place.
- Emotional Reaction: A pang of sadness as I leave. Three days wasn’t a lot to spend in Haugesund, but at least I got to truly experience it.
- Opinionated Language: I'm going to miss Norway and its beautiful landscapes.
- Specific Category: The Souvenir Shop: Every souvenir shop is the same. The things they sell are the things you'd expect to see for a country in that region.
Post-Trip Reflection (aka "What I Really Think"):
Haugesund? It's… wonderful. The beauty is undeniable. The people are polite. The history is fascinating. But it's also… a little quiet. And the food took some getting used to. But I'd go back. The fjords and memories will last forever. But the coffee situation? Definitely needs improvement. I'm going to bring my own French press next time.
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Okay, Okay, Thon Saga Haugesund: "Norway's Best Kept Secret"? Really? Is it *actually* worth the hype?
Look, let's be honest. "Best Kept Secret" titles are, like, 90% marketing fluff. I went in expecting a slightly above-average Norwegian coastal town, you know? Cute, maybe a bit charming. What I *got* was... well, it kinda knocked my socks off. It's not perfect (more on that later!), but yeah, *for me*? Absolutely. Hype? Probably. Worth it? Absolutely. Think stunning fjords, Viking history oozing from every cobblestone, and seafood that literally made me weep with joy. Seriously. Weep. (Okay, maybe not weep, but my eyes watered, and I’m not ashamed!)
What's the vibe like? Is it all tourists and souvenir shops?
Thank GOD, no. Well, okay, there are *some* tourists, and yeah, you can find a few shops selling the usual touristy stuff. But it’s way more authentic than you’d expect. It feels… lived in. Like a real place where real people go about their real lives. I spent hours just wandering around the harbor, watching the fishing boats come in, chatting with (attemptedly) locals in my broken Norwegian. (They were very patient, bless their hearts.) It’s got a relaxed, friendly vibe. Think cozy sweaters, strong coffee, and the constant, gentle scent of the sea. Bliss.
Okay, lay it on me… what's the *one* thing I HAVE to do while I'm there?
Alright, buckle up. This is going to get specific. Forget the tourist traps. Forget the museums (though they're decent). You HAVE to, and I mean *HAVE TO*, take a RIB boat tour out to the islands. Specifically, a tour that focuses on the history of Avaldsnes.
Let me paint you a picture, because I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it. We're crammed into this ridiculously fast, open-top RIB boat (don't wear a dress, trust me on this). The wind is whipping through your hair. The salty spray is hitting your face. The guide, a burly Norwegian dude with the kindest eyes, is pointing out ancient Viking burial mounds and whispering stories of kings and queens. It's *intense*.
We zoomed past those rugged, gorgeous islands, and the guide, I’m pretty sure, took us to the "secret" spot - the "hidden gem" or whatever. It was some little spit of land sticking out into the water that looked like it hadn't changed in a thousand years. He brought a huge thermos and big plates of shrimp. They tasted like… *freedom*. The sun was setting, casting this unbelievable golden glow…I can't even. I swear, I almost cried again. Maybe I *did* cry. It was epic. Book that tour. *Do it*.
What about the food? I'm assuming it's all fish, right? And is it *good* fish?
Yes, and yes. Okay, mostly yes. It's *amazing* fish. Prepared in a thousand different ways. You'll find your standard fish and chips (which are incredible), but then there are the more adventurous options. Smoked salmon is a given, and I swear they put a little magic dust in their gravlax. Get the seafood platter. Trust me. Just… do it. I am still dreaming about the langoustines.
Now, the *drawback*: it's Norway, so it isn't cheap! My bank account shuddered every time I saw a menu. But honestly? Worth it. Sometimes you just gotta splurge on a perfectly prepared plate of fresh seafood. Live a little! And don't forget the pastries. The pastries are a national treasure.
Are there any downsides? Anything I should be aware of before I go?
Okay, honesty time. It's not all rainbows and Viking ships.
Firstly, the weather can be… unpredictable. Pack layers. Seriously. One minute it's sunshine, the next you're getting soaked. Expect rain. Embrace the rain. It's part of the charm (eventually).
Secondly, the prices. I already mentioned this, but it deserves another mention. Bring more money than you think you need. Like, a *lot* more.
Thirdly... and this is a tiny thing, but it bugged me: the signage. I have NO Norwegian. And sometimes, finding things was a little… challenging. Download a good map app – or better yet, brush up on your Norwegian beforehand (or at least learn “takk”!).
Fourthly, it's not a party town, so don't expect a wild nightlife. It's more about enjoying the scenery, the food, and the history.
What's the best time to visit Haugesund?
That depends on what you are looking for. Summer is the BEST weather - with the midnight sun! It might be crowded, but it's the best experience if you want to spend your days outdoors and want to see the full beauty of the city. I hear that Winter might not be the worst for your wallet if you're wanting to be cost-conscious.
I don't know what I want to do there. Do you have any non-touristy recommendations?
I think you should try to find the hiking trails or going on one of the local boat rides that explore hidden islands. Try to find a concert at the Haugesund Concert Hall. Try to find an old cinema; sometimes looking for the older places has the most charm. Just sit on the docks, close your eyes, and enjoy the fresh air.
What kind of clothing should I pack?
Layers, Layers, Layers! Pack waterproof jackets, pants, and hiking boots. You will want versatile clothing that is good for rain or sunshine. And don't forget a warm hat and some cozy scarves!
