Best Hotels in Svalbard, Norway — Where to Stay at the Edge of the World
From polar lodges to hostels and trapper cabins, these are the Svalbard hotels that made us fall in love with the world’s last frontier.
Longyear’s “main street” — Svalbard Hotell is on the right
You don’t come to Svalbard for fancy hotels — you come for silence, polar light, and the shock of realizing humans aren’t the main characters here. But when the wind howls outside and you’re sipping hot chocolate under a reindeer pelt? Comfort matters.
Explore:
👉 Our full Svalbard travel story
👉 Svalbard tours and expeditions
Plan your Arctic basecamp:
Find the perfect place to warm up after fun activities outdoors.
When to see the northern lights in Svalbard
The aurora season in Iceland runs from late September to early April, with the best viewing usually between December and February, when nights are longest and skies clearest.
For photo settings, gear advice, and the best Northern Lights destinations across the world, check out our full 👉 Northern Lights Hub.
Best Hotels & Accommodation in Svalbard, Norway
🏔️ Funken Lodge – The Arctic’s coziest refuge
Probably Svalbard’s most comfortable and fanciest hotel — modern but still distinctly Arctic. We thawed out here after long days of snowmobiling and aurora hunting. The restaurant serves Arctic char that could ruin you for all other fish (true story).
→ Check prices and availability on Booking.com
🐻❄️ Basecamp Hotel – Rustic, real, and full of character
Built from driftwood, decorated with pelts, and buzzing with polar energy. We love how this place feels like part museum, part expedition base. The rooftop glass loft is one of the best aurora-watching spots in town.
→ See Basecamp Hotel on Booking.com
🧊 Gjestehuset 102 – Home Away from the North Pole
Funny doors at Gjestehuset 102
We stayed here — a simple, friendly guesthouse with a miner’s soul and glacier views.
Prices are affordable, and the shared kitchen and free breakfast are great ways to save money on accommodation. You’ll also get to meet other crazy visitors and compare your bruises in the evening! Love the funny polar bear signs on toilet doors. Warm, genuine, and full of stories.
→ Book Gjestehuset 102 on Booking.com
🪶 Coal Miners’ Cabins – History Meets Hygge
Set in the old mining district, these cabins balance nostalgia and comfort. Once housing for coal miners, now a cozy guesthouse with hearty breakfasts and that quiet, wind-whistling Arctic charm.
→ Check Coal Miners’ Cabins on Booking.com
🌌 Mary-Ann’s Polarrigg – Eccentric in the best way
A quirky, colorful mix of Arctic expedition gear and vintage décor.
The on-site restaurant has a fab reputation (it was closed when we were there, unfortunately). A favorite for travelers who want a story, not just a stay.
→ Book Mary-Ann’s Polarrigg on Booking.com
🧭 Radisson Blu Polar Hotel – The world’s northernmost hotel
Classic, comfortable, and reliable. The Radisson Blu might not be “hidden,” but it’s iconic — it’s literally the northernmost full-service hotel on Earth. Great for first-timers who want easy access to tours and restaurants.
→ See Radisson Blu Polar Hotel on Booking.com
❄️ Svalbard Hotell | Polfareren – Stylish Basecamp for Explorers
A modern, design-forward choice that still feels local. Big breakfasts, warm staff, and easy walking distance to the harbor. Ideal if you’re mixing work and adventure.
→ Book Svalbard Hotell | Polfareren on Booking.com
Map of hotels in Svalbard
Zoom in below to explore the dreamiest hotels in Svalbard. All locations update live with real prices and availability.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
We never travel the Arctic without Heymondo. Their plans actually cover snowmobiles, reindeer sleds, and all the wild ideas that sound great until you’re 200 km from the nearest hospital.
👉 Get 5–15 % off your policy here and travel insured, not worried.
When to Visit Svalbard
Around 2pm in Svalbard! On our snowmobile trip to the East Coast
Svalbard changes completely with the seasons — and so does how you experience it.
Winter (February to May) means snowmobiles, frozen fjords, and Northern Lights.
Summer (June to August) brings the midnight sun, boat expeditions, and calving glaciers.
Autumn (September to November) is quiet and moody — polar night starts creeping in.
Each season has its own magic, but if it’s your first time, March or April hits that perfect balance between light, snow, and adventure.
👉 See our full guide to Svalbard tours and expeditions for what to do each season.
Our go-to planning tools
🏨 Booking.com for lodges & cabins
✈️ Omio for flight connections
🧭 Heymondo Insurance (5–15% off) for expeditions and cold toes
🐻❄️ Fahlo Bracelet (20% off) — track a polar bear after your trip
Follow the Arctic Life
Eli got to see polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba
We wear Fahlo wildlife tracking bracelets — each one follows a real Arctic animal, including polar bears supported by conservation groups we met on Svalbard.
You’ll get 20% off with our link, and every bracelet helps protect the Arctic we love to write about.
Our readers get 20% off through this link: Track an Arctic animal with Fahlo
FAQ: Where to stay in Svalbard
Watch reindeer crossing from your hotel room!
When is the best time to visit Svalbard?
It depends on what you want to see. Winter (February–May) brings snowmobiles, aurora, and frozen fjords. Summer (June–August) is all about midnight sun and boat expeditions. We love spring — long days, perfect snow, and just enough wildness left in the air.
Where should you stay in Svalbard?
Longyearbyen is the base for almost every traveler. It’s small, safe, and full of character. Choose your style — Funken Lodge for comfort, Basecamp for rustic charm, or Gjestehuset 102 for budget-friendly authenticity.
Is Svalbard expensive?
Yes — everything here is imported, from the tomatoes to the towels. But prices come with perspective: you’re at the edge of the world. Expect mid-range hotels around €150–250 a night, lodges a bit higher, and hostels from €90+.
Can you stay outside Longyearbyen?
Not on your own. Polar bears roam freely beyond town, so overnight stays outside the safety zone require guided tours and permits. Lodges like Nordenskiöld or Isfjord Radio offer that wilderness experience — safely.
Do hotels in Svalbard operate year-round?
Most do, though some wilderness lodges close during the polar night. Book early in high season (March–April and July–August), when tours and rooms fill up fast.
Svalbard has this way of humbling you — even when you’re just brushing your teeth in a cozy hotel bathroom while a blizzard rages outside.
Whether you’re here for the aurora, the midnight sun, or just to feel small again, the right base makes all the difference.
Wherever you’re staying, even in a hostel, trust us: every night felt like a privilege — because here, comfort isn’t about thread count. It’s about survival with style.
Planning a trip to Svalbard? Check out our guides:
🐾 Svalbard Tours & Expeditions — Polar bears, glaciers, and the edge of the Arctic world.
🧊 Svalbard Travel Guide— Polar bears, ghost towns, and next-level Arctic mystery in Norway’s far north.
🏠 Best Hotels to see the Northern Lights in Europe — Watch the aurora from your bed.
❄️ Our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide — How to explore, survive, and avoid becoming a polar bear’s lunch.
✨ Northern Lights for Dummies — How to actually see the aurora (without freezing your butt off or waiting 12 nights in vain).
