Solborg Folkehogskole Hostel

Solborg FHS is an alternative tertiary (post-high school to adult) educational institution which rents out its dorm rooms to travelers, particularly in the summer. It is run from a Christian orientation, but this is not a requirement for those staying here. Do understand that alcohol is not permitted on-site, and no smoking in the dorm rooms. Some rooms have a private bathroom, but another dorm may have a shared facility. This is best for the independent but knowledgeable traveler. It is not at all a "hippie hangout" or traditional hostel. It is very clean and well run. English can be used, as well as Norwegian. Note the local dialect is quite different from Oslo dialect, but most Stavanger speakers adjust to the "standardized" language with non-locals. We stayed with teachers / parents during a youth exchange program. Breakfast buffet is served in the morning. There are kitchen spaces (with basic fridge/freezer, microwave oven/hotplate and hot water kettle plus a few dishes / utensils) and a sitting nook on each floor. There is no TV in the room, but like a usual dorm room, you have a separate twin bed, desk, and lamp (and Norwegian New Testament on the bookshelf above the desk). There is an adequate closet. Bathrooms have a "squeegee" to sponge-mop the floor after a shower. Wi-fi appears to be turned off very late in the evening until the early morning, but otherwise it worked just fine. There is plenty of free parking, if you rent a car. If not renting a car or driving, get a week-long bus pass for 290 NOK if you will make more than 6 bus trips during your stay. Otherwise, a bus ride one way is NOK 45 or with the Kolumbus.no app it is NOK 35. Taxi to the city center is about USD $20 one way, and there is NO Uber. It is a good but do-able 20-minute uphill hike up from the center of Stavanger to Tjensvollkrysset (Tjensvoll Crossing) or Eiganesvegen with the overhead pedestrian ring, or you may take one of about 10 buses that go by this stop for a 3-5 minute ride. Get the ESSENTIAL KolumbusReise App for a route finder and map, but you will find you may need to mouse-over the map to get a bus stop name - and the buses each have a different "holdeplass" / starting station around the Breiavatn lake in the center of town. An alternative bus is #4 for experienced riders as it goes a different route that would best be used with a map to find the footpath to the back of Solborg FHS, and takes more like 10-12 minutes to Ullandsvegen (longer walk), Jupiterveien or Tjensvoll Kirke or even Tjensvoll Torget stops - plus a walk. There are 3 grocery stores nearby: 1) Kiwi (at the Tjensvoll Crossing; closed Sundays) ; across from an Esso / deli with longer hours), 2) BunnPris (best prices; closed Sundays, has a post office in it) at the TjensvollTorget (Tjensvoll market center, on Bus #4 - back walking path past Tjensvoll church) , and 3) Joker - on E39 across from Mosvangen Camping at Ullandsvegen (open Sundays and has a fresh bakery; also on Bus #4 - and walk back on E39 to intersection for Solborg. The Stavanger Art Museum (on Mosvatn Lake) is a block away and has a cafe,. There are two other "real" hotels very nearby: Hotel First Alstor and Scandic Forum, both have restaurants (Scandic 21st floor has a great view but pricey), and snacks for sale. Scandic will mail an envelope with postcards in it for NOK 25. Esso gas station also has a Deli and hot food - and sells umbrellas! (DO bring raingear to Stavanger, and be prepared for lower temperatures in the summer if a storm comes.) . This is the second time I have stayed there over the years, and each time the hospitality has been great. The staff has been very helpful, and the place is a quiet retreat. It has the basics without the pretentiousness or high prices. This is a real bargain in Stavanger, and the staff makes it even more of a gem.