We are in Bergen on a private visit to see family, and for this occasion we booked ourselves into the Scandic Neptun. Hotel prices in Bergen have been soaring lately, and while Neptun was by no means cheap, it still offered the best price–quality ratio we could find. A recent SAS status match gave us Scandic “Good Friend” perks: included a two-for-one breakfast deal, and the promise of upgrades. We hoped for something fancy, but in truth the room turned out rather ordinary — a bit larger than the smallest ones, but nothing particularly memorable.

Our family weekend began already at the airport, where my brother Stig came to pick us up. By sheer coincidence, we ran into Trude — a relative from the Falch side of the family — in the parking lot. One of those unexpected meetings that makes a trip feel even warmer. Later at Stig’s house we were welcomed by Kim, who had prepared a rich and flavorful lamb stew. With wine and beer flowing, we lingered at the table for hours, conversations circling around politics and economics. We don’t always agree, but that’s part of the fun — lively debate, sharp opinions, and always something to learn from each other. Today the family program continues with a visit to my niece Sigrid’s glassblowing workshop, together with Stig and Kim — a fiery and creative highlight we are very much looking forward to.

When the evening came to an end, it was time to head into town and check in at the hotel. Scandic Neptun welcomed us with its central location and elegant lobby, though the room itself was more modest than we had hoped. At first glance it seemed fine, but during the night we discovered just how warm it really was. The thermostat suggested the room was set to fifty degrees, and there was no way to turn it lower — only “off.” After a restless, hot night we finally opened the window in the morning and let the cool Bergen air rush in.

The room was otherwise simple — one small pillow per person and, curiously, no glasses or cups at all. Fortunately, Nina had kept a small empty water bottle from the flight, which turned out to be a lifesaver when she needed to take a painkiller after her recent dental surgery. Not exactly luxury, but with a bit of improvisation it worked. Sometimes that’s all you can ask of a hotel room: a place where you can make do, smile at the quirks, and look forward to the morning.

Breakfast at Neptun has a solid reputation, and we can see why. We arrived a little late — close to half past nine — and like many buffets, the later you come, the more busy it gets. Still, there was plenty to enjoy: local (or close to local) Idsø sausage with its curious herb notes, a surprisingly delicate liver pâté, and the sort of baked beans Nina loves, but never eat at home. Croissants came in miniature size — a bit of a scandal for croissant connoisseurs like Thomas, who firmly believe they should be at least twice as big.

View from our breakfast table. The “Vinmonopolet” shop right across the street – funny to see who’s up early for a bottle.

Nina put together a small “dessert plate” with a chocolate croissant, which quickly became the subject of jokes at our table. You could hardly get away with calling it that in France, where it would of course be a pain au chocolat — and at least twice the size. I, on the other hand, went the savory route and built my own “special croissant”: stuffed with cheese, ham, mayonnaise, salad, and vegetables. A creation that really demands a croissant of substance — these miniature ones barely managed the task, but it was still delicious in its own unruly way.

**Ingredients for Thomas’ signature croissant, ready to be assembled.**

Thomas’ signature croissant – fully assembled and ready to enjoy.

A friendly sign at the buffet even offered paper if we wanted to make a packed lunch to take along — a nice touch — though we didn’t go for it.

On the way back, the hotel elevator added a final comic twist. Officially, it fits eight people; in practice, four is already an adventure. Packed in with our coffees, we creaked upwards, thinking once more that hotel breakfasts are never just meals — they’re little episodes in themselves

Neptun may not have delivered the glamorous upgrade we dreamed of, but its location is excellent, its lobby elegant, and its breakfast both hearty and entertaining. A good base for Bergen — especially if you can laugh at the small things.