Apparently accommodation in summer in Finmark is very expensive and in high demand. We were considering trying to change hotel and asked for advice at another hotel. We were told that Rica Honningsvag (don’t muddle this with the other Rica hotel in town) is set to cater mainly for pre-booked tour groups, rarely individuals and more rarely Norwegians. It shows! You arrive at a very basic reception area, it felt decidedly unfriendly. As in common with other hotels in town situations there was limited parking but the receptionist wasn’t bothered to offer other suggestions. A tour group came in just before we checked in leaving a massive queue for the one lift, we had to fight round them to get our cases up the stairs. As you come into the accommodation corridors the doors to rooms look like prison cells. Our room was a small boxy bedroom. Built in space for mini bar but none there. Only one key even though there was two of us (and that on a cheap nasty stained tag, not a good first impression when you check in). Only one easy chair and a desk chair with a broken back. Standard curtains with no blackout so much too light during the night to sleep well. I thought one redeeming feature was at least it was clean until I found long black hairs in the shower and what looked like blood on the bedroom wall. Pump...Apparently accommodation in summer in Finmark is very expensive and in high demand. We were considering trying to change hotel and asked for advice at another hotel. We were told that Rica Honningsvag (don’t muddle this with the other Rica hotel in town) is set to cater mainly for pre-booked tour groups, rarely individuals and more rarely Norwegians. It shows!

You arrive at a very basic reception area, it felt decidedly unfriendly. As in common with other hotels in town situations there was limited parking but the receptionist wasn’t bothered to offer other suggestions. A tour group came in just before we checked in leaving a massive queue for the one lift, we had to fight round them to get our cases up the stairs. As you come into the accommodation corridors the doors to rooms look like prison cells.

Our room was a small boxy bedroom. Built in space for mini bar but none there. Only one key even though there was two of us (and that on a cheap nasty stained tag, not a good first impression when you check in). Only one easy chair and a desk chair with a broken back. Standard curtains with no blackout so much too light during the night to sleep well. I thought one redeeming feature was at least it was clean until I found long black hairs in the shower and what looked like blood on the bedroom wall. Pump soap/shampoo no other toiletries, plastic toothmugs. I suppose as they expect you to use the soap dispenser there's nowhere to put your own stuff in the shower room. There is loads of good hot water though. There was no plug for the hand washbasin. Hubby didn’t like the shower head, he felt it was like being stood under the end of a hosepipe. Condensation formed on a cold water pipe fitted under the ceiling above the toilet, water dripped onto our backs whilst using the toilet. The beds sheets were too small and just thrown over the mattress pad. Each bed had only one pillow with no spares so we used cushions.

The room overlooked the harbour, it was very noisy as some cruise ships dock in the evening for passengers to visit the Nordkapp for the midnight sun hence arrive and depart early hours of the morning, (noisily). Breakfast buffet was pretty average compared to other hotels we stayed at, and a little pressured with the number of tour groups (who have allocated tables and times). One morning the orange juice had run out and the replacement was a watered down substitute.

None of our complaints in isolation would necessarily...More