Hotel No 13 in Bergen: not just another set of walls to sleep in, but an unapologetically bold little corner at the heart of Norway’s picture-perfect harbor city. We landed in Bergen after a rain-splattered VY train adventure from Oslo. Umbrellas flipping inside out and bags growing heavier with every block, we were in search of something softer than the evening drizzle—a place to dry off, exhale, and drop our guards and we found it.
If you’ve been following our Globalust series (see our Bergen article here), you know we don’t sugarcoat the ordinary. And Bergen? She’s not a city for the sun-seekers—she’s for the wet and the wild, and she demands a hotel that can handle her weather and her mood swings alike. So, here’s our honest tale of Hotel No 13, told from the perspective of two travelers who crave the offbeat, the cozy, and a wild dash of Euro-glam.
Our First Impressions: A Bar, a Plaza, and Zero Lobby Fuss
We arrived soaked, half-lost, and more than a little squishy around the ankles. Perfect time for a first impression, right? The hotel sits smack in a bustling pedestrian plaza—think European square, all pink umbrellas and cobblestones, and mercifully, no traffic wailing past your window at 2am. Safety? In the center of it all, you feel watched over—not by cameras, but by the buzz of locals and tourists mixing shoulder to shoulder.
But the real heart-stopper: the check-in. No desk, just the “barception”—literal bar-cum-reception—greeted us with a cheeky nod to Bergen weather (“Welcome. Hope you enjoy the rain.”). “The gentleman behind the counter said, ‘yes, it’s a barception.’ And it was, it was pretty nice,” Angela tells it exactly like it is. No sterile counters, just the clink of glasses and grins. We weren’t just guests—we were in on the secret.
Why Hotel No 13 in Bergen Feels Like the City’s Best-Kept Secret
Let’s cut to the chase. What makes a hotel memorable when you’re stranded indoors by Norway’s relentless drizzle? How about bold design that gives Pinterest minimalism the finger, rooms that feel more like secret dens, and the kind of awkward, wonky floor plans that can only exist in a centuries-old city pressed against the water’s edge?
The rooms at No 13 aren’t your average boxes. We booked a VIP junior suite, which, okay, isn’t two whole rooms, but what you do get is a split-level setup with a half wall—lounge here, sleep there, no partner-waking lamp battles required. “The separation of space was wonky,” Norman admits, but it works—each tier a statement, every piece of art a conversation starter (sometimes blush-inducing, sometimes outright risqué, and always Norwegian).
Angela says it best: “My initial thought was Pleasure palace because everything had a risqué feel… There were sexual suggestions in the decor and the artwork. And… the bathtub, it looked like a lover’s palace basically to me.” If your sensibilities run prudish, brace yourself. Here, sultry is part of the local culture, not a sideshow.
Safety, Vibe, and All Those “Little Big Things”
We never once felt out of place—travelers of all ages drifted in and out at breakfast, from giggling families to solo seniors snagging an extra pastry. Women traveling solo or with partners: you’ll feel right at home, even if a little surprised by just how frank Norwegian decor can be.
Let’s talk value. You’re not paying for gold faucets but for thick, high-quality sheets, guest robes you’ll actually wear, windows that pour in soft light, and hairdryers that fight frizz like warriors. There’s no closet big enough for your clothes or drawers—you’ll have to embrace the “suitcases as interior design” aesthetic since the only place for them is in the “lounge area.” The soaking tub became our rain gear locker while we were there.
Breakfast? “Really a wonderful way to start your day and fuel yourself up,” Norman says—think big spread, solid coffee, and that Scandinavian mix of savory and sweet. No hot lunch or dinner menus, but who cares when Bergen’s food scene is a quick stroll away? You can always nurse a wine in the cozy restaurant lounge while you map your next adventure.
The staff? Small team, big hearts. Over three days we got to know every face: helpful, genuine, and working overtime to make every guest feel like part of the club.
Verdict: Who’s This Really For?
Hotel No 13 is for travelers who want Bergen in their bones. For women who need safety, personality, and the flexibility to lounge, work, or simply people-watch with a coffee as the world spins past. Not designed for those chasing silent luxury or anyone hoping to unpack five suitcases and a ballgown. But if you crave creative spaces, bold design, and a staff that remembers your name, this is the place.
As for us? We felt seen. Cared for. And stylishly sheltered from the rain—all while staying on budget.
When your Bergen plans call for a dash of drama, comfort in the storm, and the feeling you’ve discovered something the masses haven’t, Hotel No. 13 delivers. Skip the beige. Come for the barception, stay for the purple tables and the wild, vivid coziness. See you at breakfast.
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