Where to Stay in Longyearbyen from a Tour Leader's Perspective
Longyearbyen has understandably transformed into this incredible tourist destination. Thanks to modern means of travel, it is now possible to go to a place that was once inhospitable. Us visitors no longer have to rough it like the explorers did just over 100 years ago; today accommodation choices make you feel like you’re in Oslo or Bergen. They are modern, trendy, but still maintain a cozy feel that highlights the incredible natural surroundings.
I’ve been to Longyearbyen a few times both for work as a tour leader but also as a tourist. At first the hotels felt overwhelming, but after getting my bearings in Longyearbyen, I can see the variations of choice available.
There is no such thing as budget travel to Svalbard, which I actually believe is a good thing as it prevents mass tourism. Still, there are ways to keep to a budget when travelling to Longyearbyen, and as you’ll see in this guide, one of the ways is by choosing the right place to stay.
I’ve put together this comprehensive but to-the-point guide for where to stay in Longyearbyen based on your preference.
Tip: The most popular hotels sell out months in advance, so it’s important to plan well ahead of time. For this guide I looked at hotels 10 months in the future (March 2025) and already some hotels were sold out.
Tip: No matter where you stay, the excursions you book will pick you up from your hotel.
Tip: The airport bus doesn’t stop at every hotel, but it stops close enough to many of them.
Price guide:
- Budget friendly: 1500 NOK a night or less (marked green on the map)
- Mid-range: 1500 NOK – 3000 NOK a night (marked blue on the map)
- High end: 3000 NOK+ a night (marked red on the map)
Affiliate Links:
None of the hotels recommended here are paid placements or have sponsored this article in any way. I wrote this guide after visiting all the hotels when I went to Longyearbyen in March 2024. That said, if you book through the link provided here, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you, and that money contributes to this website. I appreciate the support!
In this article...
Be sure to check out my Svalbard travel guide, which includes practical information about travelling there but also information about the various settlements and wildlife.
Map of Svalbard
Here is my overall map of Svalbard. The hotels are coloured according to their price (green = budget friendly, blue = mid-range, pink = high-end).
Longyearbyen Centre
Why Stay Here?
Yes, there is such a thing as a city centre in Longyearbyen. This is the perfect spot to stay if you don’t want to be more than a 10 minute walk from the shops and restaurants. This is especially perfect in the winter months, where the temperatures of -20C don’t exactly make it appealing to walk to the way into the city.
However, the convenient location does mean prices are a little higher.
High End
Svalbard Hotell the Lodge
Svalbard Hotell the Lodge is expensive (prices for March 2025 for two people/two nights was 15000NOK!) but there’s a reason for it. The Lodge isn’t a traditional hotel; in fact it’s self-serviced apartments! Meals aren’t included here (you can add breakfast for an additional fee) but what you get instead is a full apartment with your own kitchen. This can be a way on cutting down costs if you don’t want to go out every night. To be honest, I’m not sure the high price justifies it. Also, on their website they say this:
“Some of the apartments are subjected to noise from the pub on the first floor, especially during the weekends”
So, I’m not sure it’s worth the price tag. Still, it comes down to personal preference.
Mid Range
Radisson Blu Polar Hotel
This is where I stayed on my most recent visit, and I absolutely loved it! I know online it has a reputation for being the ‘tourist hotel’, but I was travelling as a tourist. Some excursions only start from one spot (so you have to make your own way there), and more often than not that one spot was the Radisson Blu. The airport bus to the airport also leaves from right outside here. It took me 5 mins to walk to the shops, 5 mins to the museum, and 15 mins to the old town. It was perfectly located.
This hotel was the first hotel that was built in Longyearbyen. It opened in 1995 and the buildings are from the Lillehammer Winter Olympics 1994.
There are a couple restaurants located inside and the included breakfast is perfection. The rooms are big and I got a spectacular view of the mountains from my room.
I also want to add that the staff were some of the nicest I’ve encountered, and there’s a fantastic shop in the lobby.
This hotel is borderline high-end, with prices hovering between 2,500 and 3,000 NOK a night.
Basecamp Hotel
I’ll admit, when I saw this hotel I kind of wished I had booked it instead. If you are trying to go for a more rustic Svalbard vibe, this hotel is a great option. Basecamp Hotel is designed to look like one of the historic cabins where hunters would stay. The recycled interiors are inspired by Arctic trapper’s huts.
Breakfast is included and the wonderful Kroa restaurant is part of the complex. The hotel also organises their own excursions.
This hotel is practically across the street from all the shops.
This hotel is mid-range with prices starting at 2,300 NOK per night, but it can easily go into the high-end category if you want a larger-than-standard room.
Tip: If travelling in the summer months, be sure to pack a sleep mask. Not all hotels have black-out curtains, or curtains that work efficiently, so it’s important to bring one to get some sleep!
Svalbard Hotell Polfareren or the Vault
Please note that these are two different hotels under the one chain. Svalbard Hotel Polfareren is located on the main street, while the Vault is located a couple blocks away. However, I’ve included them under one because they are priced similarly.
Svalbard Hotel Polfareren is a boutique hotel taking inspiration from Svalbard’s distinctive character. The Norwegian explorer Eivind Astrup (1871-1895) was the inspiration for the hotel. He was Norway’s youngest recipient of the Order of St. Olav, so keywords such as rustic, timeless and robust are the reasons for the hotels design. The restaurant Polfareren is inspired by Nordic cuisine and changes with the season.
Svalbard Hotel The Vault is a little more functional (rather than stylish) and takes inspiration from the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. The restaurant located here is Nuga, a Japanese restaurant.
Honestly, I can’t see a huge difference between the two! I guess it comes down to price and location.
Longyearbyen City Outskirts
Why Stay Here?
If nature is why you’re here, there are a number of excellent choices in the ‘suburbs’ of Longyearbyen. The prices vary a lot, from luxury accommodation to budget friendly travel.
Keep in mine that it takes at least 20 minutes to walk to where the shops and restaurants are, so there will be a bit of back and forth. There’s no public transportation in Longyearbyen, but there are taxis.
High End
Funken Lodge
Funken Lodge is the most expensive place to stay in Longyearbyen. Rooms are large and modern and there’s a French restaurant in the property. The hotel has more amenities than other hotels in Svalbard, including a luxury gym and champagne bar.
It is a 10-15 minute walk into Longyearbyen from Funken Lodge.
Mid Range
Mary-Anns Polarigg
This is another contender for ‘places I wish I stayed at’. Mary’Anns is a quirky hotel located inside wooden miners barracks. The prices here vary a lot (which is why I marked it as mid-range), as there are cheaper rooms with shared bathrooms but also suites. But you don’t come for the rooms – it’s the shared areas that are everything. The mining-themed interior has reading nooks, a bar, an excellent restaurant, and laundry services.
Budget Friendly
Coal Miners Cabins
If you are looking for good quality budget accommodation, the Coal Miners Cabins are a great choice. Almost all of the rooms have a shared bathroom, but there a few where you can pay more for a private bathroom (though that will go into the mid-range category).
The building is a former miners barracks in the neighbourhood of Nybyen, about 20 minutes on foot from the main shopping street.
Gjestehuset 102
Gjestehuset 102 is another excellent budget accommodation choice. All the rooms have a shared bathroom, and that is one of the reasons for the lower price. The hotel, like Coal Miners Cabins, is located in the neighbourhood of Nybyen and about 20 minutes walk from the main shopping street. Gjestehuset 102 offers mixed 4-person dormitories as well as single and twin rooms. Breakfast is included.
Haugen Pensjonat
Haugen Pensjonat is located closed to the city than the other two options, but still has affordable prices. The hotel is primarily self-catering, with no reception. There are different types of rooms plus apartments, and bathrooms are shared between 2-3 rooms each.
Out of Longyearbyen
Why Stay Here?
You’ve come for the adventure! You want to be out of civilisation and experience the raw nature of Svalbard. I completely get it.
Due to the various environmental rules and regulations on Svalbard, plus the risk of polar bears, choices for outside Longyearbyen are limited to the campground, which for some may not be what you’re after.
Budget Friendly
Longyearbyen Camping
Longyearbyen Camping is the cheapest accommodation on offer in Svalbard. The campsite is located next to the airport, meaning that you can’t simply walk into the city centre (the airport is outside the city limits). Camping gear is available for rent and to protect the campers from polar bears, there is an electric fence and guard dogs.
Are there Airbnbs?
Yes! Since many of the locals work in tourism and may be gone for long stretches of time, they put their apartments up on Airbnb.
The apartments come with kitchens and bathrooms, and the prices vary from budget-friendly to high end.
Click here to view a cabin for rent on a husky farm out of town.
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen is undoubtedly becoming a huge tourist town, and because of this you’ll always have lots of choice for where to stay.
Just be sure to book early since places are extremely limited and do sell out! The hotel should be one of the first places you book for the trip (after flights!).
Be sure to check out my Svalbard travel guide! Here you can find all my recommendations of things to do and see, plus practical information for visiting the archipelago.
