Where to Stay in Oslo (From a Tour Leaders Perspective)
Welcome to Oslo! I’ve been to Oslo so many times and stayed in so many hotels, so I can understand that it may be a little overwhelming picking where to stay in Oslo. There are so many options, so many chains, and so many good locations to stay in. So, I’ve put together a list of some of the hotels that I recommend in Oslo, divided by region and price range. It’s tricky finding accommodation in Oslo for less than 1000 NOK a night, so don’t expect to come here on a budget.
Here’s how I divide according to price:
- High end: 1500 NOK a night and above
- Mid range: 1000-1500 NOK a night
- Budget friendly: Less than 1000 NOK a night
Here’s my guide on where to stay in Oslo.
In this article...
Be sure to check out our Oslo travel guide! Here you can find all our recommendations of things to do and see, including our self-guided walks.
Central Station & Bjørvika
Why Stay Here?
Staying close to Central Station is certainly convenient, especially if you will be taking the train onwards to somewhere else in Norway. It also makes arriving from the airport very easy. The area of Bjørvika is part of the new urban development around the Oslofjord, and here you’ll find brand-new cafes, restaurants, bars and the Munch Museum, library, and opera house. Attend a show at the Opera House, have coffee in the new library, or explore the ’Barcode’ skyscaprers. If you want to head out for a walk, the historic area Gamle Oslo and the sculpture park Ekeberg are close by.
High End
Amerikalinjen
This is one of Oslo’s most famous hotels. The hotel is in the old headquarters for the Norwegian America Cruise Line, and the hotel has recently undergone a major renovation. There is a bar inspired by New York, or you can listen to live jazz. The hotel also does comedy nights in both Norwegian and English.
Clarion Hotel Oslo
Located in the trendy Barcode area, this new hotel is beautiful and modern. Clarion is a great chain to stay at in Norway; they offer free light dinners every evening. The hotel opened in 2020 and is approximately halfway between the Munch Museum and the Opera House. The Shutter Bar has food and drinks, and during summer there is an outdoor terrace. The hotel has a gallery inside as well.
Mid Range
Clarion Hotel The Hub
This is one of the newer hotels in Oslo. It is also located across the street from Central Station, so is one of the nicer options if you want to stay close to the train. The hotel is massive and has a nice bar on the top floor. The breakfast is also one of the best in Oslo.
Scandic Byporten
I enjoyed staying at this hotel. The rooms are excellent and it’s located within the Byporten shopping centre, which you can use to access central station without having to go outside.
Thon Hotel Opera
The rooms are a little small, but the hotel has excellent amenities and is in a wonderful location. It is a popular hotel for conferences and groups, so expect it to be a little busy.
Budget Friendly
City Box Oslo
This is a no-nonsense hotel right in the heart of the city. They cut costs by not having a reception or cleaning service (unless you request it), but the rooms have everything that you need and are perfect if you don’t plan on spending much time in your room.
Karl Johan Gate
Why Stay Here?
Karl Johan Gate is the main street running through Oslo, so of course it’s convenient to be located close by. However, I don’t recommend staying on the street itself; it’s good to stay a block behind it. The street gets very crowded in the summer months, so it doesn’t always feel nice to walk down there. However, it is the centre of the city and a good place to base yourself so you can get out and explore Oslo.
High End
Grand Hotel Oslo
Located on Karl Johans Gate (in a nice and not-too-crowded part) just across the street from the Norwegian Parliament, this historic hotel is home to the Grand Café, where Henrik Ibsen would go for lunch every day. Every year the Nobel Peace Prize winner stays in this hotel. Some of the world’s most notable people including Charlie Chaplin and Dwight Eisenhower, have stayed here. It is considered one of the best hotels in Norway. If you can’t afford it, just visit for a coffee in the Grand Café.
Hotel Bristol
This is a high-end hotel in a historic building. The suites are named after famous people from all across Europe who have previously stayed in the hotel. The hotel is styled in a 1920s art deco way, and the rooms are of good size.
Hotel Christiania Theatre
This boutique hotel is tucked in between the City Hall and the National Theatre, and the building itself used to be a theatre. The hotel has been designed in a style to reflect its theatre past. The basic rooms include TVs, minibars, WiFi, and rainwater showers.
Mid Range
Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz
This hotel may look a little dull from the outside, but it has won awards for its design inside. The hotel also claims to have the best breakfast in Oslo, so maybe it is worth staying there.
Thon Hotel Cecil
Located just off the park and Norwegian parliament, the Thon Hotel Cecil is in an excellent location. The rooms are decent sized and the breakfast is also excellent.
Scandic Victoria
This is about as budget as it gets for staying around Karl Johans gate. It’s only across the street from the Grand Hotel but is half the price. Of course, it is not as extravagant, but it has everything that you need. The hotel is roughly halfway between Karl Johan Gate and Aker Brygge, so it’s centrally located for Oslo’s top attractions.
Budget Friendly
K7 Hotel Oslo is one of the only budget options close to Karl Johan Gate. The hotel has single rooms or dorm rooms; only the dorm rooms fit into our ‘budget’ category.
Around Aker Brygge
Why Stay Here?
Aker Brygge was the first part of the Oslofjord area to be redeveloped and is now a string of trendy bars, restaurants and cafes with a variety of different cuisines that’ll keep you busy during your stay. Aker Brygge is also where Norway’s National Museum (The Scream by Edvard Munch is here!) is located, as well as the Nobel Peace Centre and Astrup Fearnley Gallery.
High End
The Thief
The Thief is a luxury hotel in the trendy area of Tjuvholmen. The walls are covered in contemporary artwork, the rooms have designer furniture, and there are high end restaurants. The hotel also has a spa and pool area.
Mid Range
Oslo Guldsmeden
This hotel is an eco-friendly boutique hotel just a couple blocks from Aker BRygge. The style of this hotel is completely unique, with wooden four-poster beds, faux-fur cushions, and throws, tvs, wifi, and contemporary bathrooms.
Thon Hotel Vika Atrium
This hotel is just within our mid-range category; most rooms would be classified as high end. The reason for the price is location, not amenities. It is very similar to other Thon hotels.
Around the Royal Palace
Why Stay Here?
The Royal Palace is a beautiful location to stay in Oslo. The Palace Park is perfect for your morning or evening walks, and the whole area feels less hectic than other parts of the city. The Historical Museum is located here, where you can see the only Viking helmet ever found. From here you can also enjoy a scenic 40 minute walk to the Vigeland Sculpture Park, or just hop on the tram.
High End
Camilla’s Hus
This boutique hotel is in a villa from 1845. There are only seven rooms, giving a very nice B&B feel. The Camilla in the name refers to the house’s first resident, Camilla Collet, a prominent author, and women’s rights activist.
Mid Range
Thon Hotel Europa
The Thon Hotel Europa is part of the Thon chain of hotels. The rooms are large considering their location in the inner part of Oslo, and you are just across the street from the Royal Palace.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel
This four-star hotel is a little nicer than the Thon Hotel Europa across the street, but it is considerably larger.
Budget Friendly
Cochs Pensjonat
Cochs Pensjonat has been operating for over 100 years and offers very affordable rooms just across the street from the Royal Palace. The rooms are simple but have everything that you need.
Around Grunerlokka
Why Stay Here?
Grunerlokka is a very cool neighbourhood. It only takes 20 minutes to walk to the city centre, but out here in Grunerlokka you have the incredible Akerselva walk, Mathallen food hall, and you can easily reach Damstredet and the Gamle Aker Church. If you’re looking to get away from the busy Oslo city centre, this is a great alternative.
Mid Range
Scandic Vulkan
Located just above Mathallen, this hotel is excellent if you want to enjoy more of the hipster area. It’s only a 20-minute walk to Karl Johan Gate, meaning you aren’t that far from the city centre but still get to enjoy the feeling of being in a neighbourhood. The hotel is heated by geothermal energy. The rooms have what you need.
Budget Friendly
Anker Hostel
Anker Hostel is one of the cheaper options in Oslo. The rooms look so bare they could almost be prison cells, but they have everything you need and are a good option if you just want a place to sleep and spend your money on other things.
Be sure to check out our Oslo travel guide! Here you can find all our recommendations of things to do and see, including our self-guided walks.
Around Oslo
Thon Hotel Snø
Outside Oslo city centre is a facility called Snø, where you can ski inside all year round! There is a Thon Hotel connected to the building, so you can stay on site and ski as much as you like. Nothing more Norwegian than this!
