Easily one of the most interesting hotels I've ever stayed in. On the airport shuttle bus, the driver described it as "the cutest little hotel in Svalbard," and he was absolutely right. Warm and cozy rooms, and a comfy lounge to relax in. The staff are all very friendly and helpful, and the location is very convenient – within easy walking distance from all the interesting locations in Longyeabyen. Breakfast is filling, and the restaurant serves an excellent dinner.

The single rooms aren't soundproof, so if you're a light sleeper, you may be disturbed if other guests are noisy in the hallway – but the reception has earplugs for those who need them. Be careful in the shared showers, because some of the drain covers are loose.

I had a great stay for a week. The living room is one of the loveliest and cosiest places on this island, you can spend hours there just chilling. The breakfast had nice variety. The restaurant attached to it is so great that people all over town come and you need to book in most nights, the view from there is probably awesome, but I did not get to see it in the dark season. I am definitely coming back to this hotel when I re-visit Sbalbard!

There is not much that can be improved really. Forced to find something, I would say that it was a bit of a hassle moving from the restaurant/room area to the living room, as you had to get out and re-enter and it was quite cold. But given the history of this hotel, how it really was miners' cabins, it is reasonable. It also explains the somewhat small room, but I didn't really care about that, as everything else was great.

Wonderful atmosphere of the place. It's filled with so many local memorabilia that it rivals the local museum (not a hyperbole). Super friendly and helpful staff. Laid-back feeling, but with all the required comforts, even in the basic rooms (shared bathrooms are not an issue, as there are so many of them that you can always find one that's available). Breakfast was one of the best I had in any hotel. The restaurant is not the cheapest in town, but offers high-level cuisine with local ingredients, and is definitely worth a visit for dinner. And if you want to save money, they offer you a shared kitchen. The common area where you can rest even after checking out (or before checking in) is also a very nice and thoughtful touch.

There's nothing really to complain, the only (likely personal) issue is that the music constantly playing in the common areas gets monotonous after a while. I mean, smooth jazz is inoffensive to everyone, but after a few hours some change (or, even better, silence) would be nice.

Good staff available all the time. My room, specifically the bed which was more comfortable that it looked, and a desk/table in the room. Restaurant was good and very caring about food sensitivities, access tocommon spaces - kitchen and lounge, luggage storage, conveniences like water and snacks available at any hour. Easy bus, excursion, and taxi pick up.

shared bathrooms. The were kept clean looking, but felt old and gross, often smelled, and water backed up while showering, etc. The mirror and small shelf in my room were placed at about the right height for someone 2meters tall, which I am not, So effectively, there was no mirror or usable shelf in my room. Having to go outdoors from the reception and common areas and back indoors (shoes and coat on-off-on-off) to get to rooms. A hallway or even "outdoor only crocks" would help this a lot!

t’s not my first stay at Mary Anns, and won’t be my last. It’s one of my reasons for returning to Svalbard! The staff always give such a warm welcome. I was in a foul mood following a luggage loss and they were so helpful and offered me spares of some items. The rooms are basic, but have more than everything that you need, controllable heating, a desk, wardrobe, mirror, even black out blinds. The bed is probably the most comfortable bed I’ve ever stayed in! The shared bathroom are immaculately cleaned (cleaned 3 times daily) and have piping hot, good pressure showers. The décor is amazing as always, from stuffed polar bears and foxes, to old mining maps. The exterior has been furnished with 100 christmas trees imported on pallets. The common lounge is also amazing, comfortable, with a full (immaculate) kitchen, TV, fireplace, wifi, tea and coffee. It’s pure bliss. The breakfast is also just incredible. Freshly cooked, and well presented it has a huge range of meats, berries, cereals etc. The breakfast makes a stay here incredible value. 100% recommend and WILL be visiting again. Vinterhagen: I came here a couple of years ago, and it has been a big reason for re-visiting Svalbard! The best restaurant on Svalbard. The space is incredible, you enter through a ‘cave’ filled with mining ephemera, which slowly opens out into a large airy conservatory offering views all up the Longyear valley. The service is fantastic, the menu beautifully presented, and on my first visit they offered me a special hors d’oeuvre. The food. The food is our of this world. It is one of the only places where you can enjoy a seal steak, and you will enjoy it, it is immense. I revisited for reindeer steak which is also beautifully cooked. The wine on offer is also superb, and the whole meal is great value. 100% recommend and hope to visit again.

We had a pleasant stay here and everything was absoultely wonderful, spotless clean and food was amazing!! We stayed in a small cozy room with shared toilet which was spotless!! All the modern amenities. The reception was super helpful. I mean really they made us feel like home. Talking about home, the guest kitchen was LOVELY !!! We had some of our food we could cook and they also had some complimentary rice and pasta etc. We didn't feel like leaving. Oh the fireplace and the amazing collection of books were amazing too! I cannot stop praising this enough. Like I said, I felt very heavy when I was leaving this place. This place is just magical and like a home away from home!!

Whats there not to like! Nothing! Absolutely amazing!

This is genuinely one of the best places we've ever stayed in. It wasn't cheap, but nothing on Svalbard is, so I guess prices were low in comparison. Room was clean and warm, location was good, and staff were lovely. Excellent breakfast and a great (if quite expensive) restaurants for lunch and dinner. HOWEVER, where the hotel really shines is the common room - nothing better than kicking back after a long, cold day out on a boat, with free tea and coffee and their delicious cakes, and feeling like you're able to totally relax. There were times we genuinely didn't want to leave. Genuinely can't recommend enough.

The beds in the family room were a bit narrow, especially if you're on the heavier side.

Best thing is the lounge. Standard rooms are good value. Beds surprisingly comfortable and ample access to bathroom. Be aware there's no room cleaning service during your stay. We mixed it up by having last few nights in the ensure rooms for a bit more space and en suite shower. Liked having a fridge and being able to brew up a tea in the corridor. Seat on veranda was a suntrap even in early may. We also hot help booking a boat trip to cope with sea ice in may. We stayed here to near to town onside bar andcrestaurabt and kitchen facilities to keep costs down for a longer stay. Met the brief perfectly.

Nothing really but as ever some self important "holiday explorers" might put a dampener on your stay.

The whole palace is different, it's cool, it's funky and just visiting is a unique experience. Breakfast is a fabulous choice of traditional Norwegian food and pastries, fruit, yoghurt, cheeses, meats, all beautifully presented, but the real star of the show is the evening meal in the restaurant. If you do nothing more book a table for dinner where you will be treated to an exquisite experience of quality cooked Norwegian food. Locals come here for a treat or special occaision for good reason.

The rooms are simple clean and comfortable, but by their very nature are slightly "hostel" like (remember where this place came from and how it has evolved down the years) so yes you do hear people moving about to and from the toilets.

I really liked the homely vibe I got, the staff were so helpful and kind and it really felt like returning home every day. The living room, bar and restaurant were exceptional and we found we spend a decent amount of time just chilling after a hard day's exploring in these areas. They were never busy, we always found a little nook to relax in and make ourselves a complimentary tea. The twin bed rooms were modest, but we only used them to sleep in. I loved the fact they were converted from minor's cabins, it really added to the experience for me! Despite sharing a bathroom I never waited to use one, the busier times were typically first thing in the morning with guests getting ready for excursions but even then it was easy to slot in.

On some evenings the corridors outside of the rooms got a bit loud with guests speaking to friends/ returning home from a drink etc. This wasn't the fault of the hotel however, and I noticed ear plugs were provided on the front desk counter although I brought my own.