My wife, mother and I stayed here when we visited Kristiansand. The staff was welcoming and helpful. The rooms were clean, comfortable and well equipped. The breakfast which is included as part of the stay is extensive and delicious - Norway takes breakfast way more seriously than the U.S..... Be sure to know which Thon hotel you're choosing - we accidentally ended up at a different Thon property a couple blocks away before realizing our mistake. Also, know that this location has no on-site parking - you'll be directed to a local parking garage 1.5 blocks away. It's an easy walk, but it's probably best to check in, drop off bags, and then go park the car. The location was excellent for us - it's in the city center, right next to the city cathedral (sadly, closed the day we were there) and allowed us an easy walk to the waterside and around the city. It was a busy area on a weekend evening, but the rooms were quiet. All in all, a great place for an evening stay.
The positive: Great location for Dyreparken The negative: Nearly the same price as Dyreparken hotel. Food was not great and fruit was often old. I bought two kids packs for our arrival and had to ask at reception because they were forgotten. They were 200kr each and turned out to be a paper bag with 3 types of candy. Price should have been maybe 100kr each. Totally not worth it. Our bed was ready when we checked in but the extra bed had neither sheets nor pillow. Had to track down staff to ask about it. Staff seems stressed and overworked. The hotel seemed very understaffed. Conclusion: Would stay here again if Dyreparken hotel is full. Will definitely not get the kids packs again and will probably not get breakfast or dinner here again.