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Originally built as spartan accommodation for athletes taking part in the 1952 Winter Olympics, this 14-storey hotel has evolved into a modern luxury hotel—Norway’s second largest, in fact. Visitors are delighted by its prices and location close by Oslo S station which, though it may not be beautiful, is ideally central. Bedrooms have been feng-shuied into submission, emerging with white walls and modern furnishings that manage to border on bland without being soulless. Staff are friendly and helpful and there’s a good late-night bar. In short, a sky-high building without prices to match.
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Converted from a 1930s office building, this pale pink nine-storey building has a pleasing art deco exterior. Inside, a simple Italian-influenced theme by well-respected Norwegian architect Platou sees ochre and eggshell walls set against dark wood furniture, and there’s a warm, comfortable atmosphere. The location, by the Parliament building, is very good, and the in-house restaurant and coffee shop, La Strada, is well-regarded. The same friendly can-do attitude of staff at other First Hotels is in place, making it a winner with those seeking a little human contact in an icy city.
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This gorgeous West End hotel removes any preconceptions that Scandinavian design is accurately represented by the Ikea catalogue. It strikes a perfect balance between contemporary chic and traditional comfort, with polished wooden and tiled floors and ornate fireplaces. Rooms are mixed in style: make sure you get one of the newer ones, which are lighter and awash with cushions and fabrics covered in stripes, poppy prints and touchable tweed. (The older rooms tend to be a little dark.) The location is peaceful and a clubby library with English books is a relaxing spot to wind down.
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A former life as a baronial mansion prepared the Grand for its second coming as Oslo’s most famous luxury hotel. This 19th century building—all richly shaded oil paintings and extravagant antiques—sits easily between the Royal Palace and the Parliament building. Its famous Grand Café has offered entertainment to guests as disparate as Arctic explorer Roald Amundsen, Charlie Chaplin and Elton John. Rooms have been modernised (some are situated in a modern extension), but some visitors complain of a certain stuffiness of attitude. Nevertheless, the hotel remains Oslo’s grand dame.
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In a quiet side street in Majorstuen’s Embassy district, this 60s apartment block caters largely to business customers and is much used by international companies. Each apartment has free internet access and a fax and message service. The larger apartments are booked up literally years in advance, but studios with balconies are usually available for stays of a minimum of 14 days. With the functional contemporary air of a good hotel room and maid and laundry service, H8 offers the advantage of a fully-fitted kitchen with microwave and a much-reduced price.
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