Tromsø, often referred to as the “Gateway to the Arctic,” is a vibrant city located in northern Norway, renowned for its stunning natural beauty and ever-white snow. Nestled between snow-capped mountains and fjords, Tromsø offers visitors a unique blend of modern urban life and breathtaking wilderness. It is a prime destination for witnessing the mesmerizing Northern Lights in the winter and experiencing the Midnight Sun during the summer. With its historic wooden houses, lively arts scene, and a range of outdoor activities like dog sledding, hiking, and whale watching, Tromsø is a captivating destination that embodies the spirit of the Arctic. As a major tourist destination, it attracts people from across the world especially during summers which is when the day is more. In this blog, we will discuss the pros and cons of staying in Coco apartment, one of the popular budget stays available in Tromso.
How did I find this Coco apartment Tromso
While all major online hotel booking sites display this apartment, I used booking.com to browse through and that is how I came to know about this apartment. I was looing for a budget stay, because I did not want to spend much on my stay. When we visit places like Tromso, especially for those who come from a non-snowy region, say Equator, it doesn’t make sense to stay put inside the hotel, wrapped around in bed. We come here to experience the other side of the world which has extreme weather conditions, different food habits and unique locations. So, in general, for solo and budget-travelers, one should look for optimally utilizing the available time to cover all important / popular places of interest. Also, I have used booking.com to book budget hotels across Europe I found it quite trust-worthy.
Coco apartment Tromso – how to reach?
Well. For a person who is completely new to this culture, language and terrain, I was able to reach the hotel with minimal to no-help. The apartment owner has created a website which carries all the necessary information for even a completely clueless tourist to reach the destination with almost zero worries. Yes, the instructions range from which bus to board after landing in Tromso terminal, where to get the bus tickets to managing the entire Tromso trip with credit cards and distance from the nearest bus stop; It also goes into details of which app to install in mobile phone to book bus tickets and where to download those apps, etc.
Their website is vey helpful for travelers. In fact, once the booking process gets over, the apartment representative shares a list of instructions through email which also includes referring to their website.
Coco apartment Tromso, stay experience
This is a hotel for budget-travelers that offers shared accommodation, bunk bed system and relatively cheaper compared to the average cost per night to stay in the city of Tromso. It costed me Rupees 5600 for a one night stay in Tromso.
The stay is cozy and has a do-it-yourself kitchen, washing machine and dryer all for the guest’s use. The good thing, unlike other hostels, Coco apartment offers washing machine service free of cost. Everywhere you can see instructions, right from kitchen and restroom to reception and living rooms. The incredible thing about this hotel is that I did not see any care-taker or a receptionist when I entered the hotel. Everything was instruction led and they expect the guests to adhere to those instructions and guidelines in order to keep the premises clean and organized. They do have one or two people, but I never saw one throughout my stay.
Coco apartment Tromso, the cons of this stay
Even solo travelers come with their own heavy luggage and bags. This is where, it becomes a challenge. From the street, in order to actually enter the apartment, one has to open the door, kind of climb through an uneven flooring where the bags cant be rolled through (has to be carried / lifted) for say about 4-5 meters. And then, there is another door that has to be again crossed while lifting your luggages. Since it is slightly in a elevated position compared to the street, the luggage tend to fall off or roll down the moment we keep them down to open the door. Opening the door requires a passcode which cant be typed while managing your luggage and bags. They should look at offering a seamless flat and smooth flooring where the guests do not have to struggle to lift and hold their luggage in position just to enter the hotel. Also, the stay has rooms both in ground floor and first floor. The pathway to go to first floor is so narrow and crooked that one has to struggle with their luggage. It is difficult to navigate through that narrow pathway staircase to reach first floor. It is a small apartment that has been converted into a cozy stay. However, difficulties one face to bring their luggage and bags to their rooms is slightly disappointing.
Coco apartment Tromso, the rooms
They are quite small, narrow and carries 4 beds. One hardly finds space to even place their bags and luggage. While it is expected that shared accommodation and hostels will have bunk beds and small space with no-privacy, the surprisingly small cabins with 4 beds and least to no room for placing luggages definitely is a problem.
The terrain surrounding Coco apartment Tromso
But in general, the entire city of Tromso has an uneven and rugged surface with streets taking almost 15 – 30 degree ramps in many parts of the city. Except summers, all other season gets snow-fall and one can see frozen ice on pedestrian platforms and roads that make it difficult for average tourists who doesn’t know about the terrain difficult to walk, especially with one’s luggage.
One can easily witness people skidding through the platform that is covered with thick ice-deposits. Note that snow is fresh deposit and it is very soft, fluffy and melts. However, continuous deposit of snow makes it thick and forms a layer of slippery ice on the walkway and pathways making it difficult for people to walk. Th locals however are pros and they use anti-skid shoes that enable them to walk like a pro without worrying about the ice layers.
Overall the Coco apartment Tromso stay gets
In conclusion, Coco Apartment in Tromsø offers a comfortable and memorable stay, combining the charm of a well-equipped space, though its entrance corridor and narrow rooms need work. The apartment’s convenient location, thoughtful amenities, and cozy atmosphere make it a decent choice for solo-travelers seeking budget-friendly way to explore the Arctic. Coco apartment gets a score of 6 out of 10 considering its cost, amenities and location. Whether you’re in Tromsø to chase the Northern Lights, explore the local culture, or simply unwind in a serene setting, Coco Apartment provides a good home away from home.
Useful information and pro-tips for travelers
- Coco apartment Tromso is a decent place for solo-travelers to stay considering its cost and location.
- Try to carry optimal luggage to support your experience, else, lifting your bags to first floor will itself will be a problem in Coco apartment.
- The aprtment provides all basic amenities and a cozy atmosphere for a stay. Its strategic location within the city limits and very near to the city center makes it easy for travelers to gain access to all the tourist locations through buses and taxis.
- Note that Norway is not part of the European Union. This means Norway doesn’t use Euro. It has its own currency Krona.
- Credit Cards are accepted almost everywhere including bus ticket booking using kiosks. Ensure that you have an international working credit card. You don’t have to go for currency exchange.
- People in Tromso doesn’t understand English except for the most common restaurants and specific tourist spots. I found it difficult to communicate with the bus driver. So, ensure that you have mobile recharges with internet. Get a local SIM card and have internet recharged. Mobile phone will come very handy in locating places, booking tickets and helping you with all tips.