Oslo's Best Boutique Hotels

Near the Holmenkollen ski jump, Lysebu is a charming hotel with a superb restaurant, indoor pool and plenty of Norwegian art. It’s divided into two parts – the original wooden building with its folktale feel – and a modern extension with 24 contemporary suites, six meeting rooms and a state-of-the-art kitchen which hosts cooking demonstrations. Rooms are adorned with works from the Henie Onstad Art Centre, and the wine cellar is a corker.

Stylish and laid-back, this hotel sits right in the centre of things on Jernbanetorget Square, adjacent to Oslo Central Station. The iconic pink building was the headquarters of cruise ship company Norwegian America Line, but has been transformed into its current 122-room glory with a collection of cool bars and restaurants that attract fashionable locals. As well as the all-day brasserie and basement jazz bar, there’s a floating bartender who will shake and serve cocktails in your room.

There’s a quirky feel to this centrally-located hotel, with its pop art colour schemes, neon-lit headboards and vibrant pot plants. Its 181 rooms are spread across four interconnected buildings and feature pink sofas and modern light fixtures. Breakfast boasts organic options and there’s a lobby shop and gym. Rodins Bistro and Bar serves tasty seafood including scallops and lobster. Don’t be surprised to see dogs on leads – this is a pet-friendly hotel.

A short walk from Karl Johans gate, the Scandic Victoria offers 199 smart rooms (including four accessible and two pet-friendly options), a great breakfast spread and modern gym. Family rooms sleep up to four and if you want to splash out there’s a suite in the eaves with separate living area. Bikes are available to hire for a refreshing wheel around the city – and there’s car parking for guests as an added bonus.

If you’re seeking old-world opulence, try this art deco style boutique hotel close to the National Theatre and Royal Palace. Think plump booths in the restaurant, blue and gold colour schemes and 102 sumptuous rooms with individual touches such as striped feature walls and velvet throws and curtains. Teatro restaurant is known for its gourmet pizzas, topped with delights such as fennel salami and pickled mushrooms, or ham, walnuts and honey mustard.

Scandic Vulkan (or Volcano) is a great choice for the eco-conscious; it’s the first hotel in Norway to receive an Energy Class A rating. You’ll find it in the hip Vulkan neighborhood – a former industrial area that’s been transformed into a buzzy collection of hotels, bars, restaurants and food markets. Spread over 10 floors, its 149 rooms feature unique touches such as wall-mounted bikes and vibrant blue and orange bedding.

Housed in this 1890s building, the four-star Saga design hotel is brilliantly located in Frogner, close to the Royal Palace. All 47 rooms have the same black and gold theme, and range from singles and doubles to suites with large bay windows and room for up to four guests. The ground floor Fangst restaurant is a highlight – serving Japanese fare with an innovative twist. Arrive hungry for the miso beef carpaccio, sashimi and sushi.

It’s not often you get to stay in a hotel that has its own theatre, but that’s what’s on offer at Scandic St. Olavs Plass. Just around the corner from Karl Johans gate, it’s home to Edderkoppen Scene, a 345-seat auditorium that programmes a range of shows, including comedy and musicals. The hotel also has 241 guest rooms decorated with theatrical murals and photos – plus a breakfast restaurant and cosy lounge bar. What are you waiting for, darling?

This newly-renovated traditional hotel has been around since 1920 and retains an elegant feel. Think glass chandeliers and intricately-carved ceilings, bedrooms featuring upholstered headboards and chintz wallpaper. Enjoy afternoon tea with live piano accompaniment in the Winter Garden and Library Bar, or tuck into fresh steak and shellfish in the low-lit Bristol Grill. Walk it all off with a stroll to the Royal Palace, around 10 minutes away on foot.

With seven individually-designed rooms, personalised service is available on tap at this bijou hotel, and its exclusive feel extends way beyond the location, next to the Royal Palace gardens. Rooms feature chandeliers, four-poster beds and antique writing tables with lavish touches such as freestanding baths and L’Occitane toiletries. Its restaurant, Park29, can be found inside the oldest wooden-built villa in Oslo, dating back to 1847. Menu highlights include fish soup and chevre salad with beets and walnuts.

This modern hotel has a cosmopolitan feel and it’s also conveniently located near Karl Johans gate. All 194 rooms are quiet and comfortable, and some feature courtyards or French balconies with views of Oslo Fjord. The suites are a cut above the rest – one was the King’s former waiting room. Facilities include a 24-hour gym and the Bella Bambina restaurant serves tasty Italian cuisine.

There’s great attention to detail in this colourful and modern design hotel, one block from bustling Karl Johans gate, in the heart of downtown Oslo. With its flamboyant throws, vibrant Chesterfields and modern artwork, quality and comfort are on display throughout its rooms and communal spaces. Accessibility is also key here – you can request a disabled-friendly or allergy-friendly room – and Brasserie Paleo serves healthy dishes with an organic bent.

Another gem near Karl Johans gate, this hotel offers a convenient city-centre location, great food options and Scandinavian-style decor. The breakfast buffet is a spread of everything you can think of, including cured meats and fresh pastries, while the lobby bar serves light meals throughout the day. Its 114 smart rooms are suitable for travellers on business or at leisure, and wheelchair-accessible rooms are also available.

This cosy boutique hotel knows how to do hygge. With its unique Nordic-Balinese design, pared-down rooms feature whitewashed walls, polished wooden floors and the odd deerskin throw, plus luxurious four-poster beds. You’ll be well-placed for exploring the capital – the hotel is right beside the lively hub of Aker Brygge with its culture, shopping and dining scene. If you’d prefer to relax, there’s a Turkish hammam and sauna, ideal for unwinding at the end of a fun-filled day.

Named after the smugglers who used to run riot in Tjuvholmen, the Thief is quirky yet sophisticated – and one of Norway’s trademark boutique hotels. The glass, granite and gold design forms the backdrop for plenty of contemporary art, including pieces by Damien Hirst and the Queen of Norway. All 116 rooms have a unique feel with floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies and bathrooms with large tubs and rainforest showers. There’s also a superb spa, and a restaurant serving contemporary Nordic cuisine.