Citybox hotel, Bergen - questions about checking in

We're staying there in early July and I have to say that the check-in procedure that's printed on our confirmation email seems pretty straightforward. I would suspect that if there have been problems in the past then they would be sorted out in the name of customer service.

I'll post again when we get back from our travels and let you know what our experience was like!

I agree with you that their instructions seem straightforward (but a bit overly complicated, right?), and I have had an ongoing email conversation with the hotel the last few days in which they assure me that during the summer the check-in desk is manned until 11 pm, but my concerns come from multiple complaints posted on Tripadvisor about a faulty check-in procedure including a frequently down computer system, incorrect passcodes, no hotel clerks onsite at any hours, etc., that keep people from checking in to their rooms - reports of people who never get checked into the hotel forced to find other accommodations, and this time of summer, there isn't a free room in all of Bergen to be found.

The other issue of concern: one must use a credit card with a PIN number, something that is not disclosed through booking.com. This is no problem for europeans, but most americans don't have this (I have requested a PIN, but will not receive it in time for this trip). The hotel assures me that a US issued Visa debit card with a 4 digit PIN code will work, but I will believe it when I see it...

I will be there next week and will report back.

Ah.

We booked directly with CityBox, but even the most basic cards over here in the UK have a PIN number for access via an ATM, even though at least one of my cards can only be used in an ATM and not for purchases or other transactions.

Mind you, the PIN number on our booking form is actually most (but not all) of a cell phone number as this is what has been requested on the CityBox booking site...

Look forward to seeing your report.

Cheers

Keith

Hi Keith:

The US credit card companies are resisting the costly upgrade to "smarter" cards because retailers in the US don't want to pay for new card swipe terminals. It is very frustrating for americans who travel abroad where our cards occasionally do not work. To get a PIN number for a credit card, one has to make a special request. The only use in the US for such a card is to get cash from an ATM, and that is a really dumb thing to do given the transaction costs and high interest rate charged for cash withdrawals. Therefore, most americans do not have a PIN number associated with their credit card.

We now have something in between dumb and smart cards: bank debit / check cards that can mimic a credit card; as a debit card, you have to enter your PIN, but as a credit card, you don't, you simply sign for a purchase. The cards are distinguished from ATM only cards with a VISA or Mastercard logo on the front of the card. I am counting on one of these cards working at the Citybox; they assure me it will...I sure hope so.

Could explain why I was asked to verify a card transaction a couple of years ago that was made in the shop I managed at the time. The card was referred to the phone verification process. When asked for ID to verify the actual identity of the card holder, she produced a US military ID card. The transaction was passed.

Here in the UK, the chp and pin system rules in almost every shop. Checking signatures is now rare, and I've only had to do it on US issued Visa cards.

The first place that I saw pin number machines however was, yes, you've guessed it ... Norway!

Without a hint of irony, both Visa and Mastercard claim that moving to the chip and PIN technology will not make transactions any more secure against fraud. I mean, that is laughable. Clearly having to 'sign' a transaction with a PIN number will add a layer of protection to the cardholder and card issuer that doesn't presently exist.

Most americans can tell you that even when they pre notify their credit card issuer of foreign travel (dates, destinations) that it is common to have a transaction abroad refused, leaving one digging through their wallet for a backup card. But I have NEVER had a problem withdrawing money from a foreign ATM anywhere in the world, and I attribute that to the PIN that one must use to complete the transaction.

WE just stayed there one night. Reception was staffed until 11pm. Staff not very helpful or motivated but room was okay. I don´t know about the automatic check in but trying to get in at night with your key card was difficult enough, had to insert and reinsert it about 20 times before the door would open - if that is anything to go by good luck with the rest ;-)

Here is my report: we had no problems at all with the automated check-in, but we were prepared with a credit card with a PIN code, the real key to it. I never saw any staff behind the desk, and we checked in a little after 4 pm. The phone in the check-in vestibule is dead, so if you had to find someone, you will be out of luck. One tip: the adjoining coffee shop physically passes through to the hotel, and I did see interaction between the guy at the counter and a member of the hotel staff, so this could possibly be a helpful connection for you if you have problems.

We also had no problems whatsover with loud guests - didn't hear a peep out of anyone all night, and we are light sleepers.

The rooms are large, but only adequate. The shower / bathroom was fairly nice. The kitchenette in the room was useless - the refrigerator was broken. The elevator was in and out of service...annoying, but not that big of a deal.

And final note: our key cards worked first time, every time. Lucky, maybe?

Overall, this is an OK hotel, but a definite value. The location is OK, but not exactly in the middle of the action near the harbor. I might stay here again since it is nearly impossible to find single rooms that can accommodate 3 or 4 people anywhere in Bergen (or the rest of Norway for that matter). "Family rooms" are hard as hell to find over there.

But if I only needed a double room for 2, I would stay somewhere else, even if it cost a bit more money. I am not a fan of this "unstaffed" hotel concept...

Loved Bergen and the fjords...great country, hope to visit again soon.

We're just back from our Norwegian road trip and here's our view on Citybox.

No problems at all getting into the hotel using the automated check-in system. Followed the onscreen instructions, paid the outstanding amount and got the two cardboard room keys in less than five minutes.

Hotel is aware of problems with the card readers as there's a sign at the entrance door saying so with a suggestion of how to get around the problems.

Staffing didn't appear to be a problem as there was only once when nobody was around - first thing in the morning.

We did use the lobby phone to speak to staff as a couple had been sent there by the youth hostel and were a bit bemused. Picked up the phone, no tone at first and then after a few seconds, it started to ring. Answered in Norwegian, but soon swithched to English and staff came down to sort things out.

Our room was basic, as expected, Kitchen comprised two hobs and a fridge and that was it. No pans, no crockery and no kettle. Microwave and kettle were however available downstairs. Laundry facility use limited to between 9am and 5.30pm

After two nights, we were ready to leave and have contacted Citybox with our comments.

Basically we felt that the hotel was overpriced for the facilities on offer and not as central as we thought. It was however good for the railway and bus stations, but we felt that paying 600 NOK per night would have been fairer than the 900 NOK we paid per night.

We have commented on this to Citybox and to their credit they did reply within a few hours of me sending that email. The room rate paid was in tune with local hotel costs and we have been challenged to try and beat it when we next visit Bergen during the summer months. It is apparently well booked for the summer months...

We were also congratulated on getting a double room in a Thon hotel in Oslo city centre for 600 NOK per night. This rate however did include buffet style breakfasts for two people, free black coffee and a TV in the room.

We will be back to Bergen in the future (it was my ninth visit and Caroline's second), but we'd be thinking twice about returning to Citybox.

K&C