Narvik · Norway
Sjømannskirken Narvik
Bed bug reports
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Confirmed Booking.com
I was really postponing this review as I've seen how the management reacted on other negative reviews with the accusations and dismissal. I'm one of those who had bad luck and had unpleasant encounter with bedbugs (or whatever it was which was biting me through the night). first night was kind of ok, I thought I felt something but wasn't too invasive, second night I developed proper reaction to bites. I mentioned it to the server at breakfast - as I couldn't find anyone responsible around, but she ignored it, she didn't really know how to react. Afterwards I wrote a message through booking.com about it and then finally I've got some answer, it was nice, understanding answer with a promise about going back to me and refunding my stay. well, after this short conversation I thought the issue is resolved, but noone ever came back to me and of course I wasn't refunded. I made a quick picture of some bites on my hand as I was on the way and a bit in rush. about possible accusations: I came to the hostel directly, so it's impossible that I'm the one who brought the pest. And considering that there are already some reviews mentioning it, it's a red flag (which I decided to ignore because of the price and soft spot for kind of not very much focused on profit places). Also I really tried to bring it up - but this is a big issue in this place as it's really hard to find someone to talk about the issues you encounter. I also have the Printscreens from the conversation I had on the booking when I finally managed to talk to someone responsive. I'm very sorry that I bring it up, but it is irresponsible enough, and not worth to save money and risk it.
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Confirmed Booking.com
Bed bugs! I am covered in bites. I arrived here from my home, so there is no possibility they come from somewhere else. I found one in my bed and then realized I have bites on my whole body.
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Confirmed Booking.com
BED BUGS!!!!!!!
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Confirmed Booking.com
They have bed bugs and do not admit it. The first night I was there, nothing happened because I was covered in long sleeves. The second night, I slept in short sleeves. My forearms (mainly) and parts that are not covered got bitten by bed bugs. They refuse to take responsibility and said I must have gotten an allergy or might be something from outside. How convenient. An allergy that happens only on the forearm mainly? And it’s minus six outside. It’s totally acceptable to reveal the arms and get bitten by something. They then said I might have gotten it from a train. Yes, the bugs hid on my arm and waited for a night to feast. How convenient. They said they got a pest company to check and found nothing. I wanted a report and none was sent. They said I didn’t find anything either. But bed bugs are known to hide in bed racks and appear at night. Totally irresponsible and ruined my holiday. The itch is real bad and I actually scratched till I bled. Terrible experience. This is 100% true and I have not lied a single bit. They wanted me to show proof against them but the timeline and common sense itself is the proof. They on the other hand knew travelers can’t prove because we need to travel and leave the place and it’s almost impossible to wait until night time when the bugs are active again and ask pest control to come. To summarize: 1. I have not stayed anywhere for two days except this place. 2. First day was fine, second day got bitten due to short sleeve, and only forearms got bitten. 3. Allergies don’t appear only on forearms. 4. Bugs don’t wait for a day to bite. 5. It’s impossible for a traveler to prove since bed bugs sometimes do hide in bed racks during the day. 6. I have a flight to catch and can’t stay on longer just to prove they have bed bugs. 7. They said they’ve called pest control but there’s no prove and no report either. 8. They blame it on the traveler and tried to make you look bad by saying “nobody has had this problem except you”.
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Vibe Analysis
Sjømannskirken Narvik is a budget bed inside a church building, close to Narvik's bus and train links and walkable to the center. It is more practical stopover than social launchpad: simple beds, breakfast, kitchen access, common areas, and sometimes parking or luggage space. The church setting is the standout detail. There can be a cafe hall, chapel atmosphere, and occasional activity in the building, which gives it a stranger, more local feel than a standard dorm block. Expect a self-service edge. Beds may need to be made and stripped, shoes are expected to come off indoors, and house rules can carry fees. Staff can be kind and helpful, but reception and problem-solving are inconsistent. This is not the cleanest or smoothest Narvik base. Bathrooms, showers, kitchens, room size, soundproofing, train noise, mixed bathroom privacy, lockers, bed stability, and breakfast restocking are recurring weak spots. Bedbugs are a possible risk here, so inspect the bed before settling in.
Signals to check
- Cleaning can be rough, especially bathrooms, showers, floors, and kitchens.
- Shared bathrooms may be mixed-gender, exposed, cramped, or short on toilet paper and soap.
- Noise can travel from corridors, common areas, nearby rail tracks, electronic locks, and activity in the church building.
- Rooms can be tiny, dark, hot, or poorly soundproofed; lockers and hooks are limited or missing in places.
- Rules and fees are strict: read check-in details, bedding rules, shoe policy, and card-charge conditions carefully.
- Bedbugs are a possible risk here; inspect the bed before settling in.