Cochs Pension, a family-owned, value property, is within walking distance of the Royal Palace. Most of the 89 well-maintained but no-frills rooms have private bathrooms and flat-screen TVs but are not air-conditioned; some rooms have kitchenettes and balconies. While Cochs does not serve breakfast, it provides vouchers for breakfast at the adjacent cafe. The hotel has a lounge with a mounted flat-screen TV and cozy seating, and a bright, equipped conference room is available for meetings. While hallways and public areas are bright and pleasant, guests seeking a more modern, hip decor might want to consider the self-service Citybox Oslo, another budget hotel that's about a 10-minute walk from Cochs.
Cochs Pension, a family-owned, value property, is within walking distance of the Royal Palace. Most of the 89 well-maintained but no-frills rooms have private bathrooms and flat-screen TVs but are not air-conditioned; some rooms have kitchenettes and balconies. While Cochs does not serve breakfast, it provides vouchers for breakfast at the adjacent cafe. The hotel has a lounge with a mounted flat-screen TV and cozy seating, and a bright, equipped conference room is available for meetings. While hallways and public areas are bright and pleasant, guests seeking a more modern, hip decor might want to consider the self-service Citybox Oslo, another budget hotel that's about a 10-minute walk from Cochs.
The upscale 99-room Clarion Collection Hotel Bastion brings English ambience to Oslo with afternoon tea, a lobby bar, free dinner, and a free breakfast in a sometimes hectic dining room. Decorated in classic English style, rooms and suites come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers; some have balconies and whirlpool tubs, and views of the nearby Opera House. Adjoining Children’s Rooms have fun-themed decor. Four meeting rooms and office services are convenient for business travelers, and the hotel also has a small fitness center and sauna, and a computer station. The hotel is traditional and homey, but shows wear in places. Travelers looking for a hipper decor and vibe might want to consider the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel.
The upscale 99-room Clarion Collection Hotel Bastion brings English ambience to Oslo with afternoon tea, a lobby bar, free dinner, and a free breakfast in a sometimes hectic dining room. Decorated in classic English style, rooms and suites come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers; some have balconies and whirlpool tubs, and views of the nearby Opera House. Adjoining Children’s Rooms have fun-themed decor. Four meeting rooms and office services are convenient for business travelers, and the hotel also has a small fitness center and sauna, and a computer station. The hotel is traditional and homey, but shows wear in places. Travelers looking for a hipper decor and vibe might want to consider the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel.
This attractive 263-room hotel, decked out in contemporary decor (think: white acrylic "moose head;" individual, geometric check-in kiosks) is a popular spot for meetings and conventions. Hosting big groups can lead to commotion in the lobby, but the hotel's excellent location helps compensate: The hotel is attached to the historic buildings of the Bryggen wharf area, Bergen's most popular attraction (smaller meetings can even convene inside the historic buildings, most of which have been rebuilt). There's an on-site Italian restaurant, and the hotel is attached to a live music venue-cum-restaurant that serves American fare. For an equally good location with a quieter atmosphere, consider the Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret right across the driveway.
This attractive 263-room hotel, decked out in contemporary decor (think: white acrylic "moose head;" individual, geometric check-in kiosks) is a popular spot for meetings and conventions. Hosting big groups can lead to commotion in the lobby, but the hotel's excellent location helps compensate: The hotel is attached to the historic buildings of the Bryggen wharf area, Bergen's most popular attraction (smaller meetings can even convene inside the historic buildings, most of which have been rebuilt). There's an on-site Italian restaurant, and the hotel is attached to a live music venue-cum-restaurant that serves American fare. For an equally good location with a quieter atmosphere, consider the Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret right across the driveway.
The upscale, 500-room Radisson Blu Airport Hotel is connected to the Oslo Airport terminal by a walkway, and its 31 conference rooms and well-planned business facilities make it especially convenient for business travelers here to attend events or on a layover. The hotel offers lots of open space and natural light in the common areas, and there are two restaurants, a bar, a lobby lounge with a fireplace, a fitness center, and a sauna. Decorated with metallic touches that echo the industrial design, rooms include coffeemakers, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Suites have separate sitting areas, but all bathrooms are small. Travelers might also want to check out the Park Inn by Radisson Oslo Airport, which has a more stylish, warmer interior, as an alternative.
The upscale, 500-room Radisson Blu Airport Hotel is connected to the Oslo Airport terminal by a walkway, and its 31 conference rooms and well-planned business facilities make it especially convenient for business travelers here to attend events or on a layover. The hotel offers lots of open space and natural light in the common areas, and there are two restaurants, a bar, a lobby lounge with a fireplace, a fitness center, and a sauna. Decorated with metallic touches that echo the industrial design, rooms include coffeemakers, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Suites have separate sitting areas, but all bathrooms are small. Travelers might also want to check out the Park Inn by Radisson Oslo Airport, which has a more stylish, warmer interior, as an alternative.
Modern and sleekly minimalist, the Anker Hotel is a lower-middle-range budget-friendly property located between Oslo’s Central Station and Grunerlokka, a once industrial but now trendy area packed with restaurants, nightlife, bars, and boutiques. The 264 basic rooms include Singles, Doubles, and Family Rooms -- all minimally designed but well-maintained with lots of blond wood -- and come with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and working desks, but be aware that rooms are not air-conditioned. A lobby bar, with plenty of seating and natural light, was added in 2010, and there's a busy breakfast lounge, seven conference rooms, and computers in the lobby. Garden seating is available when weather permits, and a patio can be rented for barbecues. Guests seeking a hotel with a bit more pizzazz and color -- and air-conditioned rooms -- should check out the Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget.
Modern and sleekly minimalist, the Anker Hotel is a lower-middle-range budget-friendly property located between Oslo’s Central Station and Grunerlokka, a once industrial but now trendy area packed with restaurants, nightlife, bars, and boutiques. The 264 basic rooms include Singles, Doubles, and Family Rooms -- all minimally designed but well-maintained with lots of blond wood -- and come with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and working desks, but be aware that rooms are not air-conditioned. A lobby bar, with plenty of seating and natural light, was added in 2010, and there's a busy breakfast lounge, seven conference rooms, and computers in the lobby. Garden seating is available when weather permits, and a patio can be rented for barbecues. Guests seeking a hotel with a bit more pizzazz and color -- and air-conditioned rooms -- should check out the Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget.
The mid-range Best Western Karl Johan Hotell is in the heart of Oslo’s city center, between the Parliament and Royal Palace, with several restaurants and shops on the same block. The hotel’s breakfast lounge serves a free continental spread, and there are five meeting rooms available on-site. Built in 1899, the hotel has high ceilings and a grand wrought-iron staircase that cuts an elegant swath through the middle of the public spaces. The 114 rooms, which are not air-conditioned, have flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, minibars, and city views, and suites have sitting areas, but room furnishings are a bit worn, and decor verges on dated. While the hotel's central location is convenient, it can also be noisy, and without air-conditioning, windows often have to be kept open, which compounds the noise problem.
The mid-range Best Western Karl Johan Hotell is in the heart of Oslo’s city center, between the Parliament and Royal Palace, with several restaurants and shops on the same block. The hotel’s breakfast lounge serves a free continental spread, and there are five meeting rooms available on-site. Built in 1899, the hotel has high ceilings and a grand wrought-iron staircase that cuts an elegant swath through the middle of the public spaces. The 114 rooms, which are not air-conditioned, have flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, minibars, and city views, and suites have sitting areas, but room furnishings are a bit worn, and decor verges on dated. While the hotel's central location is convenient, it can also be noisy, and without air-conditioning, windows often have to be kept open, which compounds the noise problem.
The 185-room Radisson Blu Hotel Nydalen, Oslo is an upscale property that sits alongside the Akerselva River in Oslo’s business district, about a 15-minute subway ride to the city center. This popular conference venue has 11 meeting spaces, a business corner, a fitness center, on-site parking, a restaurant, and bar. Rooms are sleek and modern, and include flat-screen TVs, minibars, breakfast, river views, and free Wi-Fi. Business Class Rooms add bathrobes, Nespresso machines, and free movies. For a more central location that’s within walking distance of the major sights, travelers might want to compare rates at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Oslo and the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel.
The 185-room Radisson Blu Hotel Nydalen, Oslo is an upscale property that sits alongside the Akerselva River in Oslo’s business district, about a 15-minute subway ride to the city center. This popular conference venue has 11 meeting spaces, a business corner, a fitness center, on-site parking, a restaurant, and bar. Rooms are sleek and modern, and include flat-screen TVs, minibars, breakfast, river views, and free Wi-Fi. Business Class Rooms add bathrobes, Nespresso machines, and free movies. For a more central location that’s within walking distance of the major sights, travelers might want to compare rates at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Oslo and the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel.
The 65-room First Hotel Grims Grenka is a sleek, upscale property located in central Oslo near major attractions, shopping, and public transportation. Rooms are sleek and modern, with gorgeous bathrooms and plenty of high-end amenities. The restaurant serves a full free breakfast with hot and cold items, but doesn't offer room service, and is closed during the summer season. Fortunately the rooftop terrace -- an outdoor space lined with couches and wooden planks (vaguely resembling a sauna) -- takes over food during the summer. There's also a small gym with weights, a bike, and a treadmill. Parties are occasionally hosted in the lobby atrium, causing some guests to complain of noise. Travelers may want to compare rates at the nearby Hotel Christiania Teater, which lacks a gym but offers room service.
The 65-room First Hotel Grims Grenka is a sleek, upscale property located in central Oslo near major attractions, shopping, and public transportation. Rooms are sleek and modern, with gorgeous bathrooms and plenty of high-end amenities. The restaurant serves a full free breakfast with hot and cold items, but doesn't offer room service, and is closed during the summer season. Fortunately the rooftop terrace -- an outdoor space lined with couches and wooden planks (vaguely resembling a sauna) -- takes over food during the summer. There's also a small gym with weights, a bike, and a treadmill. Parties are occasionally hosted in the lobby atrium, causing some guests to complain of noise. Travelers may want to compare rates at the nearby Hotel Christiania Teater, which lacks a gym but offers room service.
This business-oriented, 106-room boutique hotel is located in the same building that houses the Olavshallen concert hall, and has a unique music-inspired theme. It also has numerous freebies -- a DVD library, rental bikes, and most notably, free breakfast, afternoon waffles, and a light evening buffet -- all of which make this a serious value, especially in a country as expensive as Norway. Decor is sultry and sophisticated, with plush fabrics in jewel tones, and rooms come with good-sized flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and marble bathrooms.
This business-oriented, 106-room boutique hotel is located in the same building that houses the Olavshallen concert hall, and has a unique music-inspired theme. It also has numerous freebies -- a DVD library, rental bikes, and most notably, free breakfast, afternoon waffles, and a light evening buffet -- all of which make this a serious value, especially in a country as expensive as Norway. Decor is sultry and sophisticated, with plush fabrics in jewel tones, and rooms come with good-sized flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and marble bathrooms.
The 116-room Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret is considered to be Bergen's top hotel, and for good reason -- it has elegant, sophisticated decor, a prime location near Bryggen and Bergenhus Fortress, and modern rooms with sultry style. Plus, guests get the usual perks that come with the business-oriented Clarion Collection chain -- not only free breakfast, but free afternoon waffles and a free light evening meal, which add enormous value. The adjacent Radisson Blu Royal completed renovations in 2012, however, and is now nipping at the Havnekontoret's heels -- but though its rooms are now arguably just as nice, the property is larger and feels more impersonal.
The 116-room Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret is considered to be Bergen's top hotel, and for good reason -- it has elegant, sophisticated decor, a prime location near Bryggen and Bergenhus Fortress, and modern rooms with sultry style. Plus, guests get the usual perks that come with the business-oriented Clarion Collection chain -- not only free breakfast, but free afternoon waffles and a free light evening meal, which add enormous value. The adjacent Radisson Blu Royal completed renovations in 2012, however, and is now nipping at the Havnekontoret's heels -- but though its rooms are now arguably just as nice, the property is larger and feels more impersonal.