Karl Johan Hotell

The Best Western Karl Johan Hotell has been a part of the landscape on the bustling Karl Johans Gate since 1899. Business travelers, Olso residents on staycations, and tourists stay at this hotel, drawn by its central location and competitive prices. O’Learys Oslo Karl Johan and the Deli de Luca are on the bottom floor of this five-floor historic property, while umbrella tables are set outside on the cobblestone street. Mirrored ceilings and columns; gold-framed paintings; sconce candelabras; and a grand, green-carpeted, wrought-iron staircase that cuts through the middle of the building evoke Old-World ambience, which some might find more dated than charming.

This hotel sits on Oslo’s main street, Karl Johans Gate, in a convenient location near City Hall, Parliament (Stortinget), the Royal Palace, National Theatre, and museums. Travelers don’t have to walk far to find bars, shops, and casual American restaurants like TGI Friday’s and the Hard Rock Cafe, which are on the same block. From this location, almost all the city’s attractions can be reached on foot. The Oslo Cathedral is a 10-minute walk. It’s a two-minute walk to the Stortinget subway station, near the shopping district. The train station is a 10-minute walk, and the trip to Oslo Airport takes 45 minutes (driving to the airport takes about the same amount of time). It’s a 15-minute subway ride to the Oslo Opera House. The walk to the Aker Brygge harbor takes 10 minutes.

The 114 rooms have simple wood furnishings that look a few decades old, striped or burgundy carpeting, and heavy drapes. Higher-priced rooms have high ceilings that create a sense of spaciousness. Be aware that rooms are not air-conditioned (fans are provided), and in the warmer months windows need to be left open -- light sleepers may want to request rooms on the courtyard side of the building rather than the noisier street side. Single Rooms are narrow with a single bed, Superior Rooms and Suites have sitting areas with wingback armchairs and more decorative flourishes like gilt-framed artwork, while Junior Suites offer the most space and a few extra touches like chandeliers. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and all but Single Rooms have minibars. Business Class rooms also offer irons/ironing boards and coffeemakers. Stark bathrooms are outfitted in a grid of white tile, shower/tub combos or showers, hairdryers, and all-in-one mounted soap and shampoo. Higher-priced rooms have individual toiletries. 

Skylights provide natural light in the top-floor breakfast lounge that has green plush chairs and wooden furniture with an international buffet spread, including fruit, cereal, eggs, meat, salmon, and waffles. The room, however, has slanted ceilings and can get hot, especially without air-conditioning. Boxed lunches can also be ordered. Most rooms don’t have kettles, but tea and coffee is provided in the lobby. There are five meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 60 people. Business services, video projectors, and other audiovisual equipment can be requested. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Parking is available (for a fee) in a public garage at the Oslo Courthouse that's about a five-minute walk from the hotel.