Funken Lodge

This is probably the best place to stay in Longyearbyen. Check-in was fine, and the staff (who spoke excellent English) also helpfully made a restaurant booking in town for us. The room was very comfortable. Breakfast was extensive and very good quality, with a wide choice including freshly made omelettes and fried eggs. The rainwater shower didn't work - there was no apology when we reported it. The website listed slippers among the amenities in the room. When we told the front desk there were none in the room, they told us that they don't provide them in a standard room. When we showed them the website, they said that it was an error and they would have to get that changed (but didn't offer us any). After we insisted, they gave us some - a small issue, but we didn't want to come to breakfast wearing our heavy walking boots. Overall though, a good stay.

Svalbard is an exception to the the rule, that bleak is bleak, yes the environment is not verdant but the Funken is. The rooms are lovely and the food is extraordinary given where you are. A thoroughly lovely stay with lovely food and staff. Outside is getting an upgrade.

My first trip to Longyearbyen was wonderful from the moment I checked in Funken Lodge and explored the city.

The most northerly hotel in the world? Svalbard is off the charts, miles from anywhere and only a few hundred miles to The North Pole We needed a hotel for a night before we set sail on a ski/sail trip on The Nooderlicht (thats another story) and plumped for Funken Lodge on the basis that it looked the most glamorous and from memory was the most expensive (given that 7 nights on a boat built in 1912 with 20 others for 7 nights was not going to be the height of luxury). Well Funken Lodge is simply amazing and given all the constraints of building and running a hotel in such an isolated place it almost got 5 stars. It's warm, quirky, cool and has such a cool bar. Breakfast and dinner in particular were outstanding (dinner at 10.00pm with the sun streaming through the windows is quite an experience). Amazing - thank you for having us and providing a little bit of low key luxury either side of an epic experience on The Nooderlicht

Loved this place. Really nice staff, fab breakfast, comfy rooms, great views- if we ever come back to Svalbard this is where we will stay. Lots of cosy seating areas and complimentary tea/ coffee and sweet treats every day between 5 and 6pm. Classy.