Britannia Spa
Britannia Spa, Trøndelags største, ligger i kjelleren av det ærverdige hotellet fra 1870 — opprinnelig bygget for britiske laksefiskere — og rommer et 1400 m² velværeanlegg med basseng, mineralpool og seks behandlingsrom.
History
Britannia Spa originally opened in 2009 as an additional offering for hotel guests. When the hotel closed for a complete renovation in summer 2016, the spa department was also fully rebuilt as part of the three-year project estimated at 1.2 billion NOK. The spa reopened with the rest of the hotel on April 1, 2019, in a new guise, though the thermal suite and wet area were largely preserved from the 2009 version. The three Nordic saunas, originally supplied by Norwegian company Processing, also date from the first spa opening.
People
The interior design of the spa was led by Linda Gram Egede-Nissen and Hanne Gathe from Metropolis Arkitektur & Design in Oslo, who were also responsible for the entire hotel renovation. After completing the Britannia project, the two left Metropolis and started their own interior design firm. The furnishing of the spa — along with restaurants, common areas, and conference rooms — was delivered by Hotel Concept, a Swedish interiors company from Uddevalla with over 25 years of industry experience, led by concept director Ebba Pihl. Almost all furniture and fixtures were custom-made as bespoke pieces for the project.
Atmosphere
Britannia Spa covers 1,400 square meters on the lower level of the hotel. The interior was designed by Metropolis Arkitektur & Design in Oslo, by Linda Gram Egede-Nissen and Hanne Gathe, with a 'colonial tropical' theme inspired by the Palmehaven (Palm Court) above. Arrival is through a long mirrored corridor with an artificial plant wall that creates a gradual transition from the hotel to the spa. The reception area features gold-textured wallpaper, wicker chairs, natural-toned sofas, Asian-style lanterns, and tree trunk tables. The changing rooms have Moorish-style floor tiles, golden textured walls, oversized seagrass lampshades, and mirrors framed in woven raffia.
The spa's signature element is a circular mineral pool crowned with an azure 'Astral Lights' dome that mimics the night sky. Surrounding the pool are curved walls clad in blue and gold mosaic tiles. The 12.5-meter heated lap pool is flanked by deep loungers under soft lighting. The thermal suite includes three Nordic saunas, a steam room, a laconium (dry heat room with mild warmth), an ice bath, and an infrared cabin — a combination providing contrasts between heat and cold in the Nordic bathing tradition.
European Spa Magazine / britannia.no / Leading Hotels of the World
Culture
Britannia Spa represents a growing Nordic wellness culture combining modern spa experiences with traditional elements. The spa offers treatments using international brands: Elemis (UK) for facials, VITALIS Dr Joseph (Italy), CND (USA) for nail treatments, and PINO (Germany). Around 80 percent of all bookings are massage treatments, with the signature 'Aroma Relax Massage' — a slow, rhythmic full-body treatment — being the most popular. The spa has also developed its own signature ritual treatments combining products from multiple brands.
Britannia Spa is located on the lower level of Britannia Hotel, at Dronningens gate 5 — in the heart of Trondheim city center. Arrival from the hotel's common areas is through a long, mirrored corridor with an artificial plant wall that serves as a visual and mental transition between hotel and spa. Despite the subterranean location, mirrored walls create a sense of spaciousness that counteracts the enclosed setting. The spa is organized with reception and shop at the entrance, then changing rooms, the 12.5-meter pool as the central element, the circular mineral pool with Astral Lights dome, and six treatment rooms (four single, two double).
The spa is included for all hotel guests, but is also open to external visitors who book a treatment — granting unlimited access to pools, saunas, and steam rooms on the day of the appointment. The spa shop in the reception area sells wellness products from brands including Elemis, Babor, Hastens, and Casall. Swimwear is mandatory in all common areas. Mobile phones and cameras are prohibited throughout the spa to ensure guest privacy. The 200-square-meter fitness room is integrated into the spa facility.
britannia.no / Leading Hotels of the World / European Spa Magazine
Opening Hours
- Monday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Local Tip
Spaet er inkludert for hotellgjester, men åpent for alle — bestill behandling på forhånd for å sikre plass.
