A waterfront fortress, world class museums and a building full of old Viking ships, Oslo is an extremely cool city. The city centre is revered for its cultural offerings, with the opera house, folk theatre and Spektrum providing the entertainment. Down by the main marina, the Nobel Peace Centre charts the history of the iconic award. It makes sense then to opt for a boutique hotel in Oslo that exhibits the same level of class.
When it comes to travelling in Norway, you’d be forgiven for thinking that quality comes at a high cost. However you might be surprised to learn that a good room in Oslo costs no more than any other European city. Here is a list of the best boutique hotel rooms in Oslo, based on location, price and amenities available.
From €293/ night
Adjacent to the northern corner of Slottsparken right in the centre of Oslo, Camilas Hus could not be better situated for those who want to explore as much of the Norwegian capital city as possible. The property is formed of a number of wooden houses dating back to the 1840s, with interiors also communicating a charming sense of history and comfort. Furnishings are formed of antiques and contemporary furniture. Rooms contain bathrobes, slippers, linen and hairdryers. There is a bar on site and the breakfast is hugely popular with guests.
From €220/ night
Thon have a series of hotels in Oslo, but the Opera brings guests the best combination of location and value for money. Rooms are bright and airy, and contain a minibar, flat-screen TV, armchair and a pristine bathroom. While close to the centre, Thon Hotel’s location right next to the main train station makes it a great place to stay for anybody taking an onward journey. The hotel also boasts a gym and a good view from the fourth floor terrace. Breakfasts are excellent and include a number of hot and cold dishes, fresh fruit and bread to get the day off to a great start.
From €244/ night
Saga Hotel Oslo’s refined interior decoration and on site restaurant are classy features and quite apt given the hotel’s location between the Royal Palace and Frognerparken. The building housing the hotel is itself more than a century old. Interiors are modernised however and room comforts include a coffee machine, flat-screen TV, minibar, hairdryer and alarm clock, among other amenities. Pets are allowed on request. There is also a bar a free wifi on site.
From €128/ night
One of Oslo’s best value boutique hotels is the Guldsmeden. Not only that, it is also one of the more uniquely Norwegian properties in Oslo. The rooms are furnished in a cultural fusion style with traditional touches like Sami-inspired pelts accompanied by Balinese motifs. Close to the concert hall and Nobel Museum, the biggest draw of this hotel is the Turkish steam bath and sauna. Some rooms even have iMac computers, making this site remarkable value, especially for Oslo.
From €362/ night
An unusual choice of name for any service industry, The Thief is one of Oslo’s best hotels, and certainly one of the best rated. Perhaps reassuringly there is a safety deposit box and even a laptop safe in the hotel. What makes The Thief so good though is the range of amenities. An indoor pool and hammam, terrace, library, bicycle rental, on-site mini-market and 24 hour gym are just some of the services around the building. Within the rooms, expect extreme comfort and some nice touches, like rainforest showers, Nespresso machines and an in-built sound system and iPod dock.
