From booking to payment to check-in and check-out, it's self-service at the budget Citybox Oslo, with kiosks handling the functions usually assumed by a front desk. Located within a five-minute walk of the train station, this boutique-style property is modern and stylish -- with plenty of cool art and lights -- in a minimalist way. The 216 air-conditioned rooms are sleek but utilitarian -- with work desks, chairs, reading lights, beds with pillow-top mattresses, pegs to hang clothes, and free Wi-Fi. Lounges have lots of mod seating and two flat-screen TVs, and there's a small kitchen area off the lobby with a full-size refrigerator, microwave, and vending machines for snacks and drinks. While the do-it-yourself concept keeps room rates low, it's not for everyone, and travelers might want to check out the Best Western Karl Johan Hotell, a mid-range alternative with slightly higher rates.
From booking to payment to check-in and check-out, it's self-service at the budget Citybox Oslo, with kiosks handling the functions usually assumed by a front desk. Located within a five-minute walk of the train station, this boutique-style property is modern and stylish -- with plenty of cool art and lights -- in a minimalist way. The 216 air-conditioned rooms are sleek but utilitarian -- with work desks, chairs, reading lights, beds with pillow-top mattresses, pegs to hang clothes, and free Wi-Fi. Lounges have lots of mod seating and two flat-screen TVs, and there's a small kitchen area off the lobby with a full-size refrigerator, microwave, and vending machines for snacks and drinks. While the do-it-yourself concept keeps room rates low, it's not for everyone, and travelers might want to check out the Best Western Karl Johan Hotell, a mid-range alternative with slightly higher rates.
Hotel Christiania Teater is an upscale boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown Oslo, within easy walking distance of most major attractions and near public transportation. Interiors are a gorgeous mix of contemporary comforts and Art Nouveau details echoing the hotel's history as a theater. Its 102 rooms are sunny and bright, with dramatic orange-and-gold wallpaper and modern amenities including flat-screen TVs and safes. However, tea and coffee cost extra. On-site features are also a bit limited given the property's four-pearl status, though there is a popular pizzeria, wine bar, and meeting spaces on hand. However, there's no wellness or fitness facility on-site (though guests do have access to a nearby gym). Business travelers may want to also consider the nearby Scandic Victoria, which as modern meeting facilities.
Hotel Christiania Teater is an upscale boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown Oslo, within easy walking distance of most major attractions and near public transportation. Interiors are a gorgeous mix of contemporary comforts and Art Nouveau details echoing the hotel's history as a theater. Its 102 rooms are sunny and bright, with dramatic orange-and-gold wallpaper and modern amenities including flat-screen TVs and safes. However, tea and coffee cost extra. On-site features are also a bit limited given the property's four-pearl status, though there is a popular pizzeria, wine bar, and meeting spaces on hand. However, there's no wellness or fitness facility on-site (though guests do have access to a nearby gym). Business travelers may want to also consider the nearby Scandic Victoria, which as modern meeting facilities.
This hotel, connected to the city's main train station, is a juxtaposition that works splendidly: The building is from 1854 and was Oslo's first train station, and in spring 2012 opened a stylish, tech-savvy boutique hotel decorated with funky, colorful motifs -- while still preserving some original details. High-tech features abound, and guests can check in on computers in the lobby, use their smartphones as a room key, and store their luggage in a personal lockbox. There's an Italian restaurant on-site, and the hotel's adjacency to the train station makes it as convenient to transportation as it gets (for both within Oslo and outward). Still, it's relatively far from most of the city's sights, and there aren't many features besides the restaurant and a small fitness center.
This hotel, connected to the city's main train station, is a juxtaposition that works splendidly: The building is from 1854 and was Oslo's first train station, and in spring 2012 opened a stylish, tech-savvy boutique hotel decorated with funky, colorful motifs -- while still preserving some original details. High-tech features abound, and guests can check in on computers in the lobby, use their smartphones as a room key, and store their luggage in a personal lockbox. There's an Italian restaurant on-site, and the hotel's adjacency to the train station makes it as convenient to transportation as it gets (for both within Oslo and outward). Still, it's relatively far from most of the city's sights, and there aren't many features besides the restaurant and a small fitness center.
The 336-room, four-pearl Scandic Holmenkollen Park is a historic architectural masterpiece on a hill overlooking the Oslo Fjord, though it's a bit far from the city center. Interiors are a mix of modern design and ornate lodge-like spaces, including a restaurant with panoramic views, as well as a pizzeria, cafe, and bar. Other amenities include an indoor pool, a full-service spa with sauna, a modern fitness center, and extensive conference facilities. Rooms and suites are contemporary and many offer private balconies or terraces, though some lack views and show signs of wear and tear. Travelers might also want to compare rates with the nearby Comfort Hotel Grand Central, which has many of the same perks and a thoroughly modern vibe.
The 336-room, four-pearl Scandic Holmenkollen Park is a historic architectural masterpiece on a hill overlooking the Oslo Fjord, though it's a bit far from the city center. Interiors are a mix of modern design and ornate lodge-like spaces, including a restaurant with panoramic views, as well as a pizzeria, cafe, and bar. Other amenities include an indoor pool, a full-service spa with sauna, a modern fitness center, and extensive conference facilities. Rooms and suites are contemporary and many offer private balconies or terraces, though some lack views and show signs of wear and tear. Travelers might also want to compare rates with the nearby Comfort Hotel Grand Central, which has many of the same perks and a thoroughly modern vibe.
The Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel is Oslo's most prominent hotel in the most literal sense: The 37-story skyscraper is the tallest building in Norway, and towers above the other buildings in the city skyline. With 676 rooms, it's also Norway's largest hotel -- and as part of the luxurious Radisson Blu chain, it's definitely one of the highest profile picks in Oslo. Rooms are contemporary, if chain-like, and Business Class Rooms come with added extras such as free movie channels and Nespresso machines. The ultra-decadent specialty suites have hosted numerous celebrities. The hotel's features, as one might expect for a property of this size, are many -- a restaurant with jaw-dropping views, an airy fitness center, and even a lap pool -- but there is no spa. Some may find the size impersonal, and visitors should expect some serious crowds in the sprawling lobby.
The Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel is Oslo's most prominent hotel in the most literal sense: The 37-story skyscraper is the tallest building in Norway, and towers above the other buildings in the city skyline. With 676 rooms, it's also Norway's largest hotel -- and as part of the luxurious Radisson Blu chain, it's definitely one of the highest profile picks in Oslo. Rooms are contemporary, if chain-like, and Business Class Rooms come with added extras such as free movie channels and Nespresso machines. The ultra-decadent specialty suites have hosted numerous celebrities. The hotel's features, as one might expect for a property of this size, are many -- a restaurant with jaw-dropping views, an airy fitness center, and even a lap pool -- but there is no spa. Some may find the size impersonal, and visitors should expect some serious crowds in the sprawling lobby.
Connected to Oslo Central Station and the Byporten shopping mall, the mid-range, 239-room Scandic Byporten is tough to beat in terms of location and convenience. The hotel includes two meeting rooms, a computer corner, a small but well-equipped fitness center, and a stylish lobby bar and lounge but no on-site dining, although light fare is available at the bar and a free breakfast is served next door at the Egon Restaurant. Hip rooms have a fun design, with bunk beds in Family Rooms; Superior Rooms have sea views. For another property with hip, fun interiors, travelers could try Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget; its rates tend to be cheaper, but the location is also less convenient.
Connected to Oslo Central Station and the Byporten shopping mall, the mid-range, 239-room Scandic Byporten is tough to beat in terms of location and convenience. The hotel includes two meeting rooms, a computer corner, a small but well-equipped fitness center, and a stylish lobby bar and lounge but no on-site dining, although light fare is available at the bar and a free breakfast is served next door at the Egon Restaurant. Hip rooms have a fun design, with bunk beds in Family Rooms; Superior Rooms have sea views. For another property with hip, fun interiors, travelers could try Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget; its rates tend to be cheaper, but the location is also less convenient.
With funky, hip, and colorful designs, the centrally located, mid-range Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget, which is within walking distance of Oslo Central Station, is geared toward the young and budget-conscious, with large communal spaces, a 24-hour snack shop, pinball machines and foosball tables, and a rooftop terrace. To keep prices low, the hotel has done away with what it calls "fuss" -- meaning there's no restaurant, no room service, no minibars, no daily housekeeping (unless requested for an extra fee), and no served breakfast (though the snack shop has to-go options). But the 172 air-conditioned rooms, some with murals, don't skip on the tech, which include HD-TVs, iPod docks, free Wi-Fi, along with writing desks. The hotel also has a 24-hour modern gym with cardio machines and weights, a computer corner, key-card operated elevators, and a laundry room. Travelers looking for a mid-range hotel with hip design that also includes free breakfast could try the Scandic Byporten.
With funky, hip, and colorful designs, the centrally located, mid-range Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget, which is within walking distance of Oslo Central Station, is geared toward the young and budget-conscious, with large communal spaces, a 24-hour snack shop, pinball machines and foosball tables, and a rooftop terrace. To keep prices low, the hotel has done away with what it calls "fuss" -- meaning there's no restaurant, no room service, no minibars, no daily housekeeping (unless requested for an extra fee), and no served breakfast (though the snack shop has to-go options). But the 172 air-conditioned rooms, some with murals, don't skip on the tech, which include HD-TVs, iPod docks, free Wi-Fi, along with writing desks. The hotel also has a 24-hour modern gym with cardio machines and weights, a computer corner, key-card operated elevators, and a laundry room. Travelers looking for a mid-range hotel with hip design that also includes free breakfast could try the Scandic Byporten.
This trendy 47-room boutique hotel is located in the quiet residential neighborhood of Majorstuen, to the northeast of the Royal Palace Park. It re-opened in spring 2011 after major renovations, and now features stylish contemporary decor throughout. The building housing the hotel dates to the late 19th century, and the hotel honors Oslo's past with subtle decor details; for example, historic photographs of the city are emblazoned on the elevator doors and on decorative pillows. Rooms blend traditional elegance with modern style, and come with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and walk-in showers. The hotel offers a free breakfast buffet and cozy lobby bar, but no other features. The location is a bit removed from the heart of the action, and it's worth comparing rates with the slightly more central Oslo Guldsmeden - Guldsmeden Hotels.
This trendy 47-room boutique hotel is located in the quiet residential neighborhood of Majorstuen, to the northeast of the Royal Palace Park. It re-opened in spring 2011 after major renovations, and now features stylish contemporary decor throughout. The building housing the hotel dates to the late 19th century, and the hotel honors Oslo's past with subtle decor details; for example, historic photographs of the city are emblazoned on the elevator doors and on decorative pillows. Rooms blend traditional elegance with modern style, and come with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and walk-in showers. The hotel offers a free breakfast buffet and cozy lobby bar, but no other features. The location is a bit removed from the heart of the action, and it's worth comparing rates with the slightly more central Oslo Guldsmeden - Guldsmeden Hotels.
The 149-room Scandic Vulkan is a contemporary, upper-middle-range boutique hotel outside of the city center. Rooms are stylish, with blue walls and bed throws, bright accent pillows, eye-catching graphic art of industrial beams on the walls behind the beds, wood floors, and handy storage cubes. But there few frills -- no real closets (instead, there's a closet rod attached to the wall) and no luggage racks; bathrobes, coffee/tea facilities, and bath products are only available in Superior Extra Rooms and above. The hotel was part of a city revitalization project that also involved a second hotel and the Oslo Food Hall (located right out the front door), and the shops and restaurants of Grunerlokka are within walking distance. An excellent free breakfast, a trendy restaurant and bar, and a small gym are upsides.
The 149-room Scandic Vulkan is a contemporary, upper-middle-range boutique hotel outside of the city center. Rooms are stylish, with blue walls and bed throws, bright accent pillows, eye-catching graphic art of industrial beams on the walls behind the beds, wood floors, and handy storage cubes. But there few frills -- no real closets (instead, there's a closet rod attached to the wall) and no luggage racks; bathrobes, coffee/tea facilities, and bath products are only available in Superior Extra Rooms and above. The hotel was part of a city revitalization project that also involved a second hotel and the Oslo Food Hall (located right out the front door), and the shops and restaurants of Grunerlokka are within walking distance. An excellent free breakfast, a trendy restaurant and bar, and a small gym are upsides.
This 118-room mid-range chain hotel doesn't have many features to offer, but apartment-style rooms, a friendly, helpful staff, and a convenient-enough location make it a good option for travelers who just need a home base. While not in the heart of the action, Thon Panorama is right near the waterfront (called Oslofjord), the eye-catching Oslo Opera House, and Oslo Central Station; it's also a reasonable walk to most of the city's main sights. Not much makes this hotel particularly business-friendly, but the two spacious, eclectic penthouse suites -- both with gorgeous views -- can be used as meeting spaces. Despite its name, only some rooms have views worth writing home about (many face into a courtyard).
This 118-room mid-range chain hotel doesn't have many features to offer, but apartment-style rooms, a friendly, helpful staff, and a convenient-enough location make it a good option for travelers who just need a home base. While not in the heart of the action, Thon Panorama is right near the waterfront (called Oslofjord), the eye-catching Oslo Opera House, and Oslo Central Station; it's also a reasonable walk to most of the city's main sights. Not much makes this hotel particularly business-friendly, but the two spacious, eclectic penthouse suites -- both with gorgeous views -- can be used as meeting spaces. Despite its name, only some rooms have views worth writing home about (many face into a courtyard).