Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, Spitsbergen
Dec 5, 2011, 10:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: WAS
Programs: AA Ex Plt
Posts: 1,630
Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, Spitsbergen
With the CC points flowing like rain, I have been looking for a place to go. I found the R Blu Polar and think this is a must do place. Has anyone been here? Thoughts? 24h of dark in winter and 24h of light in summer? [for certain periods of time].
Cheers -
Cheers -
Dec 5, 2011, 10:36 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: Clubcarlson Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire AMB etc.
Posts: 252
Been there a few years ago. it was during summer with 24h sun with amazing colors all around and nice weather just above 0c so you can do lots of outside activity. I am planning to go back there in the winter with moonlit sky and the aurora borealis. I will be looking into Radisson for sure. It's good, nice breakfast which was identical to the breakfast you get in any Radisson in Norway and OK rooms and you can say you've been to the most northern hotel in the world!
Dec 6, 2011, 8:22 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: WAS
Programs: AA Ex Plt
Posts: 1,630
That sounds wonderful - thanks. And please let me know how your winter trip turns out
Cheers
Cheers
Been there a few years ago. it was during summer with 24h sun with amazing colors all around and nice weather just above 0c so you can do lots of outside activity. I am planning to go back there in the winter with moonlit sky and the aurora borealis. I will be looking into Radisson for sure. It's good, nice breakfast which was identical to the breakfast you get in any Radisson in Norway and OK rooms and you can say you've been to the most northern hotel in the world!
Dec 21, 2011, 4:00 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Vienna AUSTRIA
Posts: 549
I have been there twice once in august with temperatures of +2c and last february with _20c the radisson is nice but quit old rooms but good breakfast try to get a weekend extender or carlsonf rate a stay of 3 days will be enouhg for this small town.
Dec 29, 2011, 1:37 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Mostly EU & (SE)Asia
Programs: Various shiny cards at hotel chains and airlines
Posts: 1,040
And it is easy to access with SAS flights, for which you can also burn points. I'd suggest also stopover in Tromso enroute.
Hotel is nice indeed, was there in December for extended weekend few years ago.
Hotel is nice indeed, was there in December for extended weekend few years ago.
Dec 4, 2012, 3:52 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Oslo
Programs: SAS EBG, IHG Spire Amb, CCG
Posts: 591
Just remember that you need some really good winter clothes if plan to do any activities (snow scooter etc), might cost more than the airfare and hotel 
Pretty good award availability on SAS, so Star Alliance award is the best way to fly. Non award tickets are expensive.
Weekend extender is best value for money.
Pretty good award availability on SAS, so Star Alliance award is the best way to fly. Non award tickets are expensive.
Weekend extender is best value for money.
Dec 8, 2012, 4:35 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ether
Programs: Some, not all.
Posts: 1,595
Booked to go there this May 2013.
Here's a blog post with plenty of pictures
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/points...l-spitsbergen/
Also, SAS domestic Eurobonus award flights are great value LYR-OSL is just 6000 one way, 10k return. SAS is an Amex MR partner so easy to transfer points.
Here's a blog post with plenty of pictures
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/points...l-spitsbergen/
Also, SAS domestic Eurobonus award flights are great value LYR-OSL is just 6000 one way, 10k return. SAS is an Amex MR partner so easy to transfer points.
Jan 17, 2013, 4:00 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Here, there & everywhere
Posts: 238
^
May 5, 2014, 2:08 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ether
Programs: Some, not all.
Posts: 1,595
I'm returning for a winter visit and have found the rates to be a very reasonable 920 NOK = 150 USD per night. Combine that with the 241 or 442 elite offers and there's some serious value to be had.
Last edited by 21H21J; May 5, 2014 at 2:20 am
May 5, 2014, 11:49 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: TK Elite; HH Diamond; AA Plat; CC Gold
Posts: 310
Feb 4, 2019, 10:04 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
According to the Hurtigruten website (operator of the hotel) the Polar has completed renovations of the main building and reopened it as of February 1st. I also notice their TripAdvisor ratings and reviews have been completely cleared out in the last week. I guess they want to start with a clean slate?
Local media report “a number of discrepancies” in the inspection on 1/31 including missing credentials for those working on the renovation.
Sorry to dig up an old thread but I couldn’t find a newer one. Feel free to split / merge as appropriate.
Local media report “a number of discrepancies” in the inspection on 1/31 including missing credentials for those working on the renovation.
Sorry to dig up an old thread but I couldn’t find a newer one. Feel free to split / merge as appropriate.
May 30, 2021, 8:03 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ether
Programs: Some, not all.
Posts: 1,595
Has anyone had a stay here in the last couple of years. Just wondering what the rooms are like now as they appear to have been refurbished since I was last hear seven years ago.
The rates are a lot less reasonable now at 70k per night for a standard room, and no 241 or 442 to make a cash booking worthwhile.
The rates are a lot less reasonable now at 70k per night for a standard room, and no 241 or 442 to make a cash booking worthwhile.