Hotell Bondeheimen, Oslo

Pros  

• Enjoy a comfortable hotel in a historic building with free breakfast (including organic items).
• Renovated rooms have Scandinavian decor and Rituals bath products.
• An on-site restaurant serves traditional Norwegian specialties and draws locals.
• Guests are within walking distance of Oslo's best theaters, shopping, and several restaurants.

Authenticity

The renovated lobby of this historic hotel might feel like a typical international hotel, but you can find hints of its storied past as a base for writers, artists, and actors who were part of Norwegian's growing cultural scene of the 20th century. The hotel owners even started a project to link each of the 145 guest rooms to a former writer or cultural figure connected to the local history. Look for a quotation accompanied by a portrait and biographical information in each room, and if staying in the junior suites, you'll also find original details like wood-beamed ceilings that have been preserved from 1913. You can also find flagstones that have been carved with quotations near the entrance.

Location

Hotel Bondeheimen has a central location in Oslo, within walking distance of theaters, shopping, and cultural attractions. Travelers arriving from the airport can take the express train to Oslo Central Station and then walk to the hotel (10 minutes). Guests can also use public transportation; a tram stop is around the corner. Those arriving with a car can pay for public parking near the hotel—ask the hotel for directions.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel offers 145 rooms in various categories with hardwood-style floors and Scandi-style furnishings like Jenson beds. Rooms have modern desks and wardrobes with irons and ironing boards and flat-screen TVs with Chromecast. Most bathrooms have walk-in showers (some have bathtubs), and they come with Rituals bath products. Bigger groups can opt for family rooms that fit two adults and two children—some with city views. Meanwhile, spacious junior suites, like wood beams, have original architectural details from 1913. 

Other Highlights

The free breakfast buffet on the first floor has a wide range of healthy and organic items. This modern space has natural light from street-side windows and transitions to a restaurant called Kaffistova, serving traditional Norwegian food for lunch and dinner (closed on Sundays). Though there isn't a hotel bar, the front desk sells beverages and snacks throughout the day, including wine and beer. Other amenities include a fitness center, laundry service, and a meeting room.

Sustainability

Hotel Bondeheimen is an Eco-lighthouse-certified hotel meeting strict requirements in various areas, including waste management and recycling. Bathrooms have eco-friendly dispensers, and the housekeeping staff members use eco-friendly cleaning methods with minimal use of water and chemicals. The hotel is also on a path toward reducing food waste and energy consumption.