First Hotel Grims Grenka

Situated in the middle of a quiet side street, this hotel blends perfectly among the traditional terraced brick buildings of downtown Oslo. Inside, however, the atmosphere is modern, with a two-story lobby divided by a see-through bookshelf, a check-in desk on one side, and a lounge area on the other. The minimalist furnishings, gray slate floors, and icy-blue LED lighting are balanced out by wood-paneled walls, carpeting, and artful lighting to create a cozy effect. The space then opens into a seven-story atrium with a skylit roof, high tables and barstools, and a couple of modern couches, all of which can be moved out of the way when this area is converted into a party space with DJs (which have elicited noise complaints from guests in the past). There's also a restaurant and bar area off the lobby that's lined with wooden walls and recessed lighting and fronted by contemporary tables and chairs. The rooftop bar is similarly stylish, and draws locals as well as tourists. 

In addition to its prime location in Central Oslo, this hotel is located on a relatively quiet side street made up of traditional terraced buildings with shops and cafes at the street level. The National Museum of Architecture is a half a block away on the same street, while Oslo Cathedral is six minutes away on foot in the other direction at Karl Johan's Gate. From there it's a 12-minute walk to the Royal Palace, while the stunning Oslo Opera House is just 11 minutes away on foot. For farther jaunts, trams and buses are plentiful -- by public transportation, the Viking Ship Museum is 24 minutes away, the Munch Museum is 17 minutes away, and Frogner Park is accessible in 19 minutes. Depending on traffic, it usually takes around 35 minutes to get to the airport by public transit or car. 

Overall, the rooms are sleek and modern with upscale touches such as wide-plank wooden flooring and clean-lined furnishings. Color schemes are based on winter or summer hues in the rooms and autumn in the suites. Flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, irons and ironing boards are included in all rooms. Standard (Summer) Rooms face the atrium (which can be noisy when there's a DJ), and Superior (Winter) Rooms face the street. Bathrooms in both room types are modern but tiny, with snug walk-in rainfall showers, and toiletries, slippers, bathrobes, and hairdryers are provided. Those in lofts are considerably larger, with deep soaking tubs. Note that the hotel renovated some of its units in 2012, but others were left untouched and there have been reports of wear and tear.

The hotel has a seasonal slow-food restaurant that closes in the summer months plus a gorgeous rooftop terrace with fantastic skyline views; it serves hand-crafted specialty cocktails. Breakfast is included in room rates and features Scandinavian (lox, breads, pastries, and meats) and American (different egg selections and bacon) options. There's also a waffle station. The 24-hour gym is small and limited, with a few free weights, an exercise bike, and a treadmill. There's also a meeting room for eight to 10 guests with a projector, a flat-screen TV, and natural light through its floor-to-ceiling windows. A public computer is on hand in the lobby, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Families can request cribs and rollaway beds, and pets are allowed for an additional fee. The front desk can arrange laundry or bike rentals.