Midrange
Mary-Ann's Polarrigg
Tel. +47-79023702, email mailto:[email protected], (http://www.polarriggen.com). former miner's barracks converted into a bed and breakfast. a bit pricier than the competition at 595/850 kr for a single/double not including breakfast an extra 95 kr, but the selling point is the central location.
Gjestehuset 102
Nybyen, tel. +47-79025716, email mailto:[email protected], (http://www.gjestehuset102.no/). miner's lodge converted into a basic but comfortable guesthouse, with shared bathrooms and lounge/kitchen; the main downside is the location, a 20-min walk from downtown. it is however well serviced by the airport shuttle bus. singles/doubles 475/850 kr, shared unisex dorms 300 kr, including linens and breakfast.
A number of guesthouses and homestays offer basic accommodation. Read the small print carefully, as you're often charged extra for breakfast, linens, towels and perhaps even use of the bathtub!
Top end
Radisson SAS Polar Hotel
Tel. +47-79023450, (http://longyearbyen.radis...). this hotel claims to be the northernmost full-service hotel in the world, with restaurant, pub, sauna, free internet access and a guest computer, but it's rather characterless. peak season rates start from 1450 kr and go up, up and away.
Spitsbergen Hotel
Tel. +47-79026200, (http://www.spitsbergentra...). located on haugen in longyeardalen, with restaurant, pub, sauna, and free wireless internet access. slightly more expensive than radisson sas polar hotel. closed for several months during winter. excellent views down the valley from the restaurant.
Basecamp Spitsbergen
Tel. +47-79024600, (http://www.basecampexplor...). the most atmospheric of longyearbyen's luxury hotels, this attempts to simulate a trapper's lodge with seal skins and driftwood aplenty. don't let the humble name fool you though: 'camping' here will cost you from 1590 kr/night in peak season but only half that in winter.
The full service hotels are fairly expensive, especially during the high season. Discounts of 20-50% may be available in the October-May low season.
Longyearbyen Camping
Near airport 4 km to longyearbyen, tel. +47-79021444, (http://www.longyearbyen-c...). promises an "intensive experience of nature" at the northernmost full-service campsite in the world. stays per night start at 100 kr, not including tent rental 100 kr/day or even warm showers 10 kr/5 min. the site is open all year round, but the service building showers and toilets is open only during the summer. visitors traveling to svalbard outside of the high season end of june until september will be permitted to use the campsite free of charge, but must bring their own provisions and equipment. if your plans include trekking in svalbard, the camping site is an excellent place to meet fellow trekkers, seek advice or maybe even join a larger group.