The Top Hotels in Oslo for an Amazing Holiday

The copper-towered, luminescent Grand Hotel has been a cultural staple of Oslo since 1874. Some of the world’s most notable socialites and former presidents, including the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Henry Ford and Dwight D Eisenhower, have graced its halls. It remains one of the best hotels in Norway and, rather than feeling tawdry, it has a modern atmosphere about it which complements its 19th-century grandeur. If you find the rooms a tad out of your price range, take a trip instead to one of its many restaurants and bars to rub elbows with Europe’s elite.

Are you looking to have a Great Gatsby-style experience? The Hotel Bristol has a 1920s art deco style, blended with Middle Eastern flare. Rooms are comfortable and tasteful, while downstairs, you will find the Bristol Grill where local meat and seafood is grilled on charcoal and served with excellent wine. For a real treat, book afternoon tea in the Winter Garden and Library Bar – expect Norwegian pastries and fresh scones, topped with cream and lingonberries.

Operating for over a century, Cochs Pensjonat is one of the best-value accommodation spots in Oslo. In a city known for extravagant pricing, this simple guesthouse is a godsend to the thrifty traveller. Here, you are treated to high ceilings and simple styling that give it a sparse feel, but still a comfortable atmosphere. There are not many amenities or services, but with an in-room kitchen and a nearby restaurant, you won’t be hard pushed for food options. Out of the 90 rooms, only 10 do not have a private bathroom and kitchenette.

The iconic Norwegian America Line cruise ship headquarters is now a vibrant boutique hotel – with a mix of rooms and suites, all perfectly reflecting the glamour of its history. The Amerikalinjen is located in the heart of the city, next to Oslo Central Station and just a five-minute walk from the opera house and the harbour promenade beyond.

This 47-room hotel, with its in-house bar and restaurant, is just a three-minute walk away from the fashionable Bogstadveien Street, as well as a ten-minute walk from the breath-taking Royal Palace and its surrounding park. Originally built in the 1890s, the recently restored Saga Hotel mixes original features with new Nordic luxury. Don’t miss a meal at the innovative Restaurant Fangst, which combines raw Nordic cuisine with Japanese cooking methods.

Located for generations in the heart of Oslo, opposite the National Theatre, the Royal Palace and gardens as well as the restaurants of Aker Brygge, Hotel Continental is brimming with style and character. Choose from 151 rooms and suites, from simple doubles right up to the extravagant Continental Suite. This large luxurious hotel also offers four restaurants, bars and a fitness studio with a personal trainer.

Excellently located in downtown Oslo, the newly renovated and eco-friendly Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz sits alongside the Stortinget parliament building, Karl Johans high street and Oslo’s town hall. This sleek and stylish stop-over, with its highly recommended breakfast, is also only a two-minute walk to the National Gallery and the Historical Museum.

This former stately theatre has the most idyllic tree-lined setting and views across the park, with the Royal Palace on one side, Parliament on the other, as well as city hall just around the corner. All of its 102 rooms are individually decorated, and offer guests, whatever their requirements, a comfortable and cosy stay in the capital.

This hilltop hotel is perfect for those who wish to also explore Oslo’s hiking trails and ski tracks. Built in 1916 in a traditional Norwegian style, the comfortable and cosy Lysebu Hotel is easily accessible from the city centre on the metro. Enjoy views of Sørkedalen Valley and Norefjell Mountain from the rooms – plus there is also a large garden, indoor pool, restaurant, wine cellar and art gallery.

Nestled alongside the Royal Palace Gardens and the charming boutiques of Hegdehaugsveien, the beautiful Camillas Hus was once the private home of Norwegian novelist and passionate women’s rights advocate, Camilla Collett. This wooden-built villa is now a small but sophisticated seven-bedroom boutique hotel, perfectly combining classical furniture and fittings with contemporary standards and comfort.

The light and bright Scandic Vulkan hotel is a popular choice for visitors who want to explore the culture and cuisine of Oslo. A 15-minute walk from the city centre, near to the charming shopping streets, cosy cafes and exciting eateries of Grünerløkka, and with indoor food paradise the Mathallen just next door, you are sure to have a fantastic stay.