Welcome to Gjestehuset 102
Here are some of the questions we often get from guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? We’ve got answers!
Facilities and services
Yes, breakfast is included from 07:30 to 10:00. Breakfast is on the 1st floor, to the left on the way to the coffee room.
We serve a simple but satisfying breakfast buffet every morning on the first floor. We have bread, boiled eggs, different types of jams, ham, salami, several spreads like peanut butter, chocolate spread, caviar, mayonnaise, and more! We also offer coffee, tea, juice, and milk. Fresh waffles made daily – a guest favorite! Rich breakfast, considering the price!
Check-in starts at 14:00 and check-out is by 11:00. If you arrive early, you’re welcome to store your luggage and relax in our common areas.
We provide the bed linens and towels. Shampoo and shower gel are also available in the bathrooms.
Yes, there is a self-catering kitchen located on the 2nd floor, equipped with all necessary equipment. Foods can be put on the refrigerators, but you have to write your name and check-out date, otherwise it will be thrown away when cleaning the fridges. Please make sure to follow the cooking precautionary measures as well.
At Gjestehuset 102, bathrooms, toilets, and all other facilities are shared.
Smoking in the whole building is strictly prohibited. Smoking is allowed outside.
The closest restaurant, Coal Miners Bar & Grill, is located just across the road, from the hostel.
Yes, for single and twin/double rooms. Max 1 bed/mattress per room. The mattress costs 450,- NOK and it is subject to availability. Breakfast, bed linens, and towels are included.
We have a paid laundry service. This costs 200 NOK per bag, the maximum our washing machines can take. This includes drying. Please give your bag in the morning. We need at least a day to finish it, depending on the availability of our machines.
We clean the rooms on the third day of the stay. Private rooms only.
If you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to contact us – we’re happy to help!
Activities
Booking of activities is easy! Use our Activity Calendar and you’ll find all the activities available on your selected dates. It is usually better to book in advance to secure a slot.
When already at the hostel, you will find an Activity Booking Station in front of the reception which operates 24/7. If having problems or want to ask recommendations, please do not hesitate to ask the reception.
Most activities include pick-up and drop-off. You choose the pick-up point upon booking of the activities- choose Gjestehuset 102 if you are staying with us. The starting time the activity shows on the confirmation/activity page is the pick-up time, but it is always smart to be fully ready at least 10 minutes before the pick-up time.
There are no activities that specifically aim Polar Bears. It is illegal to chase/disturb the wildlife on Svalbard. However, the highest chances of seeing Polar Bears are through boat trips during summer and snowmobile tours during winter. They are marine mammals and they therefore usually stay close to the coasts. Check the activities here.
To have the best experience on wildlife photography, we recommend going with Photo Safari trips or/and Boat Trips.
A valid driver’s license in your country is a valid requirement to drive a snowmobile, but check the list of valid driver’s licenses on the Governor’s site: https://www.sysselmesteren.no/en/traffic/driving-licence/ based on the overview of the countries that have signed the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions on Road Traffic. Make sure to bring the physical driver’s license with you, as photos/photocopies of this are invalid.
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It is not possible to enter the seed vault, but wandering around the area is possible:
1. Booking the Blomsterdalen hiking tour, a hike around the area where the seed vault is situated.
2. Getting a taxi to the area and asking the driver to wait for a few minutes for you for you to take some photos. This costs around 450 NOK back and forth, so it is better to bring a friend or 2 so you can share the taxi costs.
The Global Seed Vault is not part of the safe zone, so it is not recommended to wander around the area without any weapon.
During the peak season, from February to September, the activities usually get fully booked fast, so we recommend booking the activities in advance. If you want to check the weather before deciding which activities to do on which days, you can check the weather forecast and book latest 5 days in advance in order to secure slots.
You can check the weather forecast on yr.no
We can see the Northern Lights from October until early March. During the polar night, from mid-November to mid-February, it is dark 24/7, so we see these magical lights at any time of the day.
Gjestehuset 102 is located far from town, away from light pollution, making it an ideal place for aurora hunting. When you stay with us during the northern lights season, always check the aurora forecast for ideas on aurora sightings. It is also recommended to check real-time sky camera located in Adventdalen, to see if there are active northern lights on the sky: http://kho.unis.no/WebCameras.html
You can walk up a few meters on the end of Nybyen to look for the lights, but make sure to wear a high-visibility vest or have a headlamp with you.
General Information
110 – Fire Department
112 – Police
113 – Ambulance
Svalbard uses Norwegian Krones.
There are unfortunately no ATM machines nor cash withdrawal services in Longyearbyen.
The supermarket, Svalbardbutikken, accepts cash, including Euros. You will get your change in Norwegian Kroner.
For rules and regulations about flying drones, please check here: https://www.sysselmesteren.no/en/drones-on-svalbard/
More Information
Free wi-fi
Activity Booking Station
Sales of postcards, snacks, beverages, and gifts
Laundry (200NOK)
Housekeeping and new linen service on request (inquire before 9 AM at the reception)
Fee for lost key: 650,- NOK
For medical, fire, and other emergencies, call The Governor of Svalbard’s 24-hour emergency line at 112.
