Grand Hotel Oslo

, Oslo, Norway
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Grand Hotel Oslo

5 star

Rooms: 289

31 Karl Johans Gate - Oslo - 0159 - Norway Hotel Website | | 23 21 20 00
583 Traveller

Reviews - Grand Hotel Oslo

Historical Traveller Reviews of Grand Hotel Oslo

better than expected

from rickysmom
After reading some of the earlier reviews of this hotel I was reluctant to stay there when my travel agent recommended it, but she talked me into it. I stayed there 4 nights with my 14 year old son in July. We loved it. It was very convenient for him to come and go as he pleased. It was convenient to all of the public transportation and we loved the crowded streets. Our room faced a side street and we had no problem sleeping at night.

I am sure the bathroom could have been nicer but I've learned not to expect the same luxury in European hotels that I am used to in the states.

The breakfast was very good, but we had difficulty finding a table if we didn't get there early and the wait staff had no system for seating people. Also, several times I had to get my own coffee, sugar, etc. Kitchen staff had trouble at times keeping the various buffet stations stocked.

There is no doubt that the front staff had a little 'tude at times but I refused to take them seriously and mostly dealt with the bell staff who were great.

My son utilized the pool and sauna several times. It is small but provided a diversion for him

I really have no idea what we paid since my travel agent gave us a package price. During our walks around the city I saw several other hotels that looked fairly upscale so I'm not sure we would stay at the Grand again. But based on it's reputation, it was a good choice for us on our first trip to Norway

This is Not a 5-star hotel!

from skrosvik
I stayed at this hotel for 5 days in July, and I was really disappointed! Nobody helps you with your luggage when you arrive, nobody helps you with your luggage when you depart. The hotel are old and needs renovation imediately. The public areas of the hotel needs to be updated too! I am sure this was a 5-star hotel 50 years ago, but today is would be a 3- or maybe a weak 4-star hotel. I guess they are only living off the remains of their old reputation. The rooms are very ugly, and I would say the rooms in an average Best Western hotel is ten times better. Food is so-so, the restaurant is so-so too, the swimmingpool is dirty, the service is unattentive, etc. I will never return to this hotel, because it was such a big disappointment. I would recommend Hotel Continental for those who are looking for luxury in Oslo. Grand Hotel has become a backpacker hotel because of the cheap rates. And I guess that's why the hotel haven't been upgraded.

Grand location

from peacocks
I have read some negative comments about this hotel. However, we had no problems and indeed were upgraded to the Ibsen Suite for no extra. I cannot comment about other rooms, but certainly ours was good. It may not have reflected the standard of the others if I am to judge from comments made by other travellers.
We did not eat in the restaurants apart from breakfasts which were typical for this type of hotel.
The location is extremely convenient and we had lovely views from the balconies.
It would have been good if the pool had been open slightly longer hours as we did not manage to use it at all.
We were there in June which was a noisy month due to the very long hours of daylight and perhaps a criticism would be that the curtains were too flimsy.

It was a very good stay

from A TripAdvisor Member
I was in Oslo at Grand Hotel during 3 days at the beginning of my trip to Norway and 1 day before leaving to Switzerland. I was really satisfied with my stay at this hotel, for which I payed 700 NOK per night (I made the reservation with the Fjord Pass) for a single room.

Both rooms during my stay were very nice, large enough even if they were single rooms and the bathroom was ok (however perhaps better suited for a 4* hotel than a 5* hotel). It is true that perhaps there are some details that make the difference between a 4* hotel and a 5* hotel, but could be easily adapted by the hotel management.

I did enjoy the breakfast at Grand Cafe, it is such a nice place and the buffet was good.

The first evening I had dinner at Grand Cafe and the person in charge was very nice, as the restaurant was full (and I forgot to make a reservation) she said to come back in 20 minutes. When I come back, I had a 4-seats table in a nice place even if I was all alone. I should I say, I always had very nice table in restaurants in Oslo and Bergen even if I was alone (that is not always the case in all other countries, especially if you are a single lady!)

The last night of my stay I arrived very late to Oslo from Bergen (about 11:00 p.m.) and I phoned to room service for getting something to eat. The person in charge was very nice, he brought in about 10 minutes two open sandwiches with apple juice for a very good price (indeed I payed one sandwich plus the juice!)

The hotel is very central and this make my sightseeing very pleasant. Moreover, the whole place is very charming. I think I will come back to Grand Hotel for a next stay in Oslo.

A truly Grand Hotel!

from llillywhite
I just spent six days at the Grand Hotel in Oslo and was very pleased with the experience. I negotiated a fair price directly with the hotel rather than using internet sites. The rooms were beautiful and spacious, beds very comfortable and the service was gracious. True, it's not a cheap hotel, but after having travelled for several days through Heldalen and on to Lillehamar, I realized that the rate at the Grand was certainly worth the experience. In addition, the location on Karl Johans Gate, right across from the Storting, two blocks from the Aker Brygge and down the street from the royal palace made it easy to enjoy Oslo on foot!

Great hotel, great location

from Cobi00
Just returned from a tour of Norway/Sweden and spent 3 nights in the Grand Hotel. Very charming, beautiful decor, clean, quiet, friendly and helpful staff. My wife and I really enjoyed this hotel. A perfect location for a vaction hotel. Can walk to many top sites, and 1 block from subway for airport and other transportation. A solid 4-star hotel, but lacked some of the extra amenities of a 5-star. We will head right back there for our next visit to Oslo.

Old Elegance

from Fijura
I stayed at the Grand in September last year while on business and have ti say absolutely loved it. yes, it does have parts which are older than others and in some places could do with a bit of a refurb but the character of the building makes up for all of this. I had a really nice room, with a great bathroom. The service was perfect throughout our stay there, everyone was so keen to help at all times. The roof top bar was a fabulous - despite it being the end of Septmeber, it was mild enough to sit outside for the evening which after 3 days of rain in the rest of Scandinavia, was the perfect end to our trip. Location wise it is great (and once the roadworks are finished will be even better!) Would happily recommend as the place to stay in Oslo.

What a wonderful way to spend a vacation!!!!

from A TripAdvisor Member
The facilities of this beautiful Grand Hotel (member of the SRS World hotels) are gorgeous and clean, including the bathrooms!! They are certianly not "bathsuites" but they are comfortable and VERY clean.

The common areas of the hotels have lots of charm and you can even feel its age and history. The swimming pool is not so big, but there is a sauna next to it and a beautician. Now, the hotel has so many different rooms but after all it was built to be a hotel in 1874. You can enjoy the sun on the roof top terrace with sea view overlooking the Oslofjord.

Lots of Stars and Heads of State are using the hotel as their residence. The hotel has its own security department, not because it is needed but as an extra service to the guests. The hotel is located in the safest area of town.

The staff was extremley pleasant and accomodating. The food in the restaurants very good. Overall, I would not be afraid to book this hotel.

This is five star?!

from A TripAdvisor Member
OK, so we have been to historic 5 star hotels before and they do vary. We realise that some are slightly faded and for us that's part of the charm. However, this place needs a complete gutting and rebuild! It seems to have been unsympathectially modernised over the years, and last done so in the 80's. The best thing about it is its location - right on the main street and within walking distance of the Marina, shops and museums. However, you could almost walk past the place without noticing it. The entrance is poor, the lobby looks like an underground station and the place is falling apart or stuck in the 80's. The first room we were allocated was so noisy we complained and moved. It was horible - flourecent strip lighting, awful beds and it stank of mould/smoke. Was more akin to an old people's home than a hotel. The second room was a bit better but still only 3 star ish standard. The restaurant looked nice, the pool area ok, and the Grand Cafe was ok but nothing special. The staff were quite pleasent but this place just seemed sad and needed sorting out. Ok if you get it for a lastminute bargain (or if you have lots of money and pay for the huge suites) but otherwise would stay somewhere else. Only word of warning, Oslo didnt seem to have many decent hotels from what we could see, so the other options might not be much better!

Unhappy New Year!

from Beergander
We have just returned from a two night stay at this Hotel over New Year. There is no way I would class this hotel as 5 Star. 3 would be more appropriate.

The location and retaurant are good. (However Oslo seems to have half its streets dug up at the moment so is not at its best).

As for the hotel the family room was loacted above a lively bar, so was noisy until 3am. You could only have all the room lights on or off. Not great if you need the bathrom during the night. (they did offer to put a free standing light in the bathroom! I decided that I'd prefer not to be electocuted, so declined the offer). The pool area is very 70's. They ran out of fruit juice at breakfast! But the best part was that they decide to put on a private party in the rooftop bar at short notice on New Years eve. Closing all the other hotel bars. So despite being hotel residents we were refues entry and told that we would have to find a bar in the street. Happy new year Oslo style.... Generally unhelpful staff, no doorman, bag help etc. (Normal attributes to 5 star service).

In summary don't stay here unless you have to. Especially over New Year.

Top Local Tips for Oslo

Bagatelle Great two star Michelin rated restaurant in the centre of the city. Not over-the-top prices either for this quality of food and client service.

Tobogganing I would definitely recommend anyone - young or old - to try out the toboggan run in Oslo. You get to it by going up on the train to Tryvannan winter park. It is absolutely fantastic - you hire your toboggan out for 80k (less than £8) and you can use it as long as you want. You go down the run on the toboggan and then get the metro back up to the top. Definitely make sure you wear waterproofs though - we were silly enough to go in our jeans and got totally soaked!!

Vigeland Park Loved this park!! Great play area for children.

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