Grand Hotel, Oslo

Pros  

• Enjoy a classic hotel in the heart of Oslo, with a photogenic lobby serving lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea that draws a mix of guests and natives.
• Guests have free access to a quality breakfast, and there’s access to a year-round rooftop bar and seasonal terrace for craft cocktails.
• All rooms have Nespresso machines, bathrobes, and slippers, while suites have French balconies—some that face Karl Johans gate.
• Take advantage of the tranquility pool, sauna, steam room, and fitness center (free for guests), or splurge on a wide range of spa treatments.

Cons

• Standard rooms tend to have lackluster views of the courtyard or sidestreet.
• Kids under 12 are restricted from the pool (a pro for some).

Authenticity

The hotel’s classic granite exterior is proudly topped with a row of Norwegian flags, helping draw travelers and natives to its lovely entrance on a busy pedestrian street near the city’s best shopping. While the property feels authentic, it is today owned by a major hotel group who gave it a good facelift, which is evident when you walk into the sweeping lobby restaurant under a glass atrium with warm lighting and potted palms. Though corporate-owned, you’ll still find plenty of Norwegian charisma. For instance, the hotel’s Nobel Suite is where the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize stays each year, and part of the tradition is to have the winner (or winners) stand on the balcony facing the parliament and Karl Johans gate and accept an ovation.

Location

The hotel has a prime corner location on Karl Johans gate, the pedestrian-friendly shopping street that acts as the main artery of the city. Across the street is the Norwegian parliament building, a notable structure in its own right, as well as a leafy plaza where guests can meander between shops and restaurants. In addition, guests will be within a 15-minute walk to many of the city’s best attractions like Palace Park, Aker Brygge, and the Oslo Opera House. If arriving from the airport, Oslo Central Station (home of the airport express train), is a 10-minute walk away. Garage parking can be reserved for a fee and there are chargers for electric vehicles. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

There are 280 rooms that were renovated in 2016 with various room types overlooking the courtyard, a side street, or Karl Johans gate, along with suites that offer French balconies. All rooms have luxury amenities like Nespresso machines, minibars, bathrobes and slippers, and designer bath products. Most rooms are decorated with a light gray and deep purple motif, but this may differ depending on the category—and some rooms have carpeting while others have wood-style floors. A range of unique suites offers more space, French balconies, and various themes, while the most expensive has a penthouse terrace with fjord views. Families can reserve the superior plus rooms that can sleep four with sofa beds. 

Other Highlights

The adults-only (12+) indoor pool is a tranquil environment with birch trees and cushy lounge chairs. Reserve your spot in advance since space is limited. There’s also a sauna, steam room, and large fitness center with a balcony (free), while a full-service spa has seven treatment rooms. As for dining and drinking, the year-round rooftop bar has indoor seating with panoramic views and an outdoor terrace during the summer months. The main restaurant is located in the lobby for lunch and dinner, as well as weekend afternoon tea, while a separate lobby bar serves drinks. Breakfast is free for guests in the Grand Café facing the sidewalk. This historic space, once a hub for Norway’s literary elite, transitions into a full-service restaurant for lunch and dinner.

Sustainability

As the biggest hotel chain in the Nordics, the Scandic group has its own Sustainability Director and various certifications including the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and EU Ecolabel. The group is in the process of phasing out single-use plastic packaging, as well as reducing carbon dioxide emissions and total waste. Norwegians are proud of their clean drinking water and guests at the hotel are encouraged to drink tap water instead of bottled water.