I travel once a year to Kristiansand, this is my 5th trip. Previous to this I have tried other hotels in Kristiansand-this is the one for me. First, parking is not a problem (although not cheap), a short walk & you are in the center. The room is large, very comfortable, very clean & nicely decorated. Bathroom is also large & I dont have to "squeeze" onto the toilet like in some other hotels in this town, it also has a full size bath. Internet wireless functions perfectly & quickly. Only minus is that the TV is an old CRT & not a new LCD. Small mini bar/fridge in the room. Restaurant is also very good- I have tried it twice on this trip & been very happy. For smokers a covered area outside reception.

one of the worst hotels I've been at. 4* ? A total disappointment.
Don't go there

I visit Dyreparken two/three times a year and usually stay at the Rica Dyreparken Hotel. This time I wanted to stay in the center of town. Booked the Caledonien hotel through the SAS hotel site. Got a price of 960 NOK pr night (weekend rate). Checked hotels.com and others and they had similar rates. I was given an option of various bed types for the same rate. Booked a king size bed non smoking.
There is a parking area outside the hotel (180 NOK pr 24 hours). Looked a bit unsafe regarding the drunk locals walking by at night. Choosed the safer parking house next door (cameras). Parked on the upper most level (180 NOK/day). A two minutes walk to the hotel reception. I was given a room in the wing. It was a large comfy, quiet room. I noticed there were rooms with a business class sign nearby. The furniture and inside doors had a few scratches, but the bed and furniture was practical and comfy. The room was very large. The bathroom was OK, but the floor was cold. There is an water saving shower head. This annoying tool should be replaced with a proper one. There was a mini bar (expensive, 35 NOK for a coke). You can by water and soft drinks in the shopping street (4 min walk) and use the mini bar to store it. I missed a room safe. I think all hotels should have an in-room safe for the lap top, cameras etc.
The hotel serves a nice breakfast in a large (dark) restaurant. The hotel is in general dark inside due to the classic style from the building date. The hotels has several function rooms, restaurants, a popular piano bar and a quiet English style pub. There is a large business room (with printers etc) and free Internet in the rooms (functioned well).
Upon departure I asked if my room was typical. It appears that the main building has smaller, but renovated rooms. The wing has large comfy rooms, but some are a bit worn.
I would recommend to try to get a room in the wing.

I wanted to find an excellent hotel for my busy business trip, and (silly me) booked the most expensive hotel I could find in Kristiansand, a wonderful little town. This hotel was terrible! The bathroom is original, from the 1970s, and not too well kept. Awful carpeting on the floor. Slightly odd smell. I had a business class room, and paid more than 200 euros per night! I was, e.g., supposed to get a newspaper into my room, which never happened (I staid there 3 nights), even if I asked for it. Also, I ordered breakfest into my room, and the order was never correct (e.g., juice missing). There was, e.g., a notion in the hotel room book that one can ask for jogging maps in the reception, and when I went to get one, a lady said "Oh, we have not had those for many years". Sorry to say but I would never never never return to this hotel. And they say it is 5 stars...!