Hotel Brandan, Tórshavn
The Faroe Islands, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, are a remote archipelago located in the North Atlantic Ocean. Comprising 18 volcanic islands, the Faroe Islands are one of my favourite destinations in the world. Its stunning natural beauty, cleanliness, and friendly people make it one of the best travel destinations, especially for a road trip.
Hotel Brandan is a great four-star hotel located in the heart of Tórshavn, the biggest city of the Faroe Islands. Situated in the Gundadalur district, the hotel is just a short walk from the town square, the main shopping center, and the national football stadium and sports complex.
The great location offers guests convenient access to both the city’s vibrant cultural scene and its commercial hubs. I, for example, went on a day trip to Suðuroy, the southernmost island of the Faroe Islands, during my stay, which I can highly recommend. It’s cheap, DKK225 (approximately 30 Euros) round trip for a car including the driver. It is fantastic value for a two-hour ferry ride and the opportunity to explore the remote southern island by car.
The hotel boasts 124 eco-friendly double rooms, varying in size from 18 to 38 square meters. Each room is thoughtfully designed with elegant, high-quality furniture and features amenities such as a coffee maker, flat-screen TV, and very comfortable beds. Notably, renowned Faroese artist Edward Fuglø has adorned every room with his unique artwork titled ‘Landmark,’ adding a touch of local culture and artistry to the accommodations, and it is an integrated part of the hotel’s concept.
I visited the Faroe Islands with my wife and son, and it was very special to me. The first trip of my son was to one of the most beautiful places in the world. I arrived after a great flight with Atlantic Airways, the national carrier of the Faroe Islands. I received a friendly welcome upon arrival and arrived at the room, which exceeded my expectations. Modern colours, an ultra-comfortable bed, a working desk, a TV and a great bathroom with a fantastic rain shower.
One of my health issues is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), and I really appreciate what the hotel has done with towels and bed linens, as there wasn’t any fragrance smell, which can be very harsh, especially for people with MCS. It was a relief as I never knew beforehand how a room would be for me, no matter how great the reviews or photos are. During a hotel tour, I saw that the hotel is using a Miele washing machine, which is another impressive detail.
In September 2020, the hotel achieved Green Key certification, an international eco-label awarded to hospitality businesses that demonstrate a dedication to environmental responsibility. This certification reflects the hotel’s efforts to minimize its environmental footprint through initiatives such as reducing food waste, energy usage, and plastic consumption. The Green Key certification is yet another impressive detail about Hotel Brandan.
The hotel’s restaurant, Húsagarður, draws inspiration from Nordic cuisine, offering dishes including fresh, local ingredients. Each course can be paired with selections from the hotel’s extensive wine cellar, Gilið, which houses wines from various countries. For those preferring non-alcoholic options, the restaurant also offers a curated menu featuring cold-brewed teas and ciders. For business travelers and event organizers, Hotel Brandan provides four versatile meeting rooms equipped with technology, accommodating up to 90 participants. For breakfast, Hotel Brandan does an impressive buffet. Some items might change depending on the day, but it was interesting to see a healthy smoothie and a ginger shot during my stay.
Wellness and relaxation are integral to the Hotel Brandan experience. Guests can unwind in the hotel’s saunas, fitness centre, or outdoor hot tubs, which offer views over the oldest park in the Faroe Islands, Viðarlundin, and the city of Tórshavn. I experienced the sauna during my stay, and it’s a fantastic place to relax and detox the body. The service at Hotel Brandan is great with professional, friendly staff who delivered excellent service during my stay.
I went to the fitness centre during my stay and it is the best I have ever seen. Usually, fitness centre smells highly chemical, most probably due to the long off-gassing time of new products, but the fitness centre of Hotel Brandan didn’t have the usual chemical smell and had the best air I remember of any fitness centre. They use high-quality equipment, including exercise bikes from NOHRD, which is very expensive and impressive. They could have bought cheap equipment and called it a gym, but they chose quality. Big respect to that, even though it’s something the vast majority of guests might not know about or pay attention to.
The hotel’s architecture and design also emphasize sustainability. Constructed with meticulous care for the environment, the building incorporates eco-friendly materials and practices. The design, crafted by Kontrast, seamlessly blends modern aesthetics with traditional Faroese elements, creating a harmonious balance between contemporary comfort and cultural heritage. Hotel Brandan’s name pays homage to Saint Brendan, an Irish monk and navigator believed to be one of the first to reach the Faroe Islands. This historical connection adds a layer of depth to the hotel’s identity.
Hotel Brandan is not an ordinary hotel. It is a high-quality hotel, better than many 5-star hotels I have stayed in during my travels. As described in this article, there are many details that impressed me, and I can highly recommend Hotel Brandan as a base for a visit to the Faroe Islands, one of my favourite destinations in the world. If I had to pick just one in the first place, it might be the Faroe Islands. It does not have mass tourism, it’s stunning, has fantastic people, excellent food, and is very clean and well-kept. I don’t know what the future will bring and if there will someday be a low-cost airline operating, but for now, it is an extraordinary travel destination.
