

The Nordics • Stay • Stay by area: our top hotel picks in Sentrum, Oslo
Central Oslo, the compact heart of Norway’s capital, offers a snapshot of the city’s layered identity – at once forward-looking and deeply rooted in its past. Wide boulevards and pedestrianised streets lead past neoclassical facades, glass-fronted high-rises and public squares where locals gather in all seasons. Karl Johans gate stretches from the Central Station to the Royal Palace, flanked by government buildings, cafes, shops and theatres. Cultural institutions including the National Museum and the Nobel Peace Center are found within walking distance, while the harbourfront at Aker Brygge draws crowds with its restaurants, galleries and views across the fjord. Despite its energy, the city centre remains walkable, orderly and refreshingly calm.
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Opened in summer 2022, Att Kvadraturen rethinks the hotel experience with a fully digital check-in and a focus on lively, social spaces. Housed in the building where Oslo’s first boutique hotel once stood, the 65-room property swaps a traditional lobby for bars, restaurants and a rooftop orangery. Rooms, designed by Gathe + Gram, are pared-back and welcoming, with commissioned works by Norwegian artist Constance Tenvik throughout. Restaurant Savage, led by Andrea Selvaggini, serves globally inspired dishes with a slight lean towards Scandinavia. There’s also a tiny basement cinema with just 18 seats, screening documentaries and international films.
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Photography courtesy of Att Kvadraturen
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Set in the former headquarters of the Norwegian America Line, Amerikalinjen blends the building’s seafaring past with contemporary design. The 122 rooms feature high ceilings, large paned windows and nods to the golden age of cruising, while suites boast original Neo-Baroque detailing. Downstairs, Atlas brasserie and Pier 42 cocktail bar draw both locals and guests, as does Gustav, a moody jazz club inspired by New York. The lush central courtyard, Haven, offers a quiet moment away from the city’s pace. Its location by Oslo Central Station isn’t the prettiest, but it’s practical – close to Karl Johans Gate, the Opera House, and the revitalised Bjørvika waterfront.
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Photography courtesy of Amerikalinjen
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Hotel Christiania Teater sits just by the National Theatre in a former 1918 playhouse that leans into its dramatic roots. Listed as a historic landmark, the building has been given a bold, theatrical makeover by Oslo designer Anemone Wille Våge. The 102 rooms and suites are more restrained than the riotous public spaces, with layered textures, comfy beds, rain showers and C.O. Bigelow products. Dogs are welcome too. Locals swing by for the wine bar’s extensive list – 50 by the glass, over 1,400 by the bottle – or for white pizza at Teatro. There’s no spa, but guests get free access to a nearby gym.el Christiania theater.
Read the full article on Hotel Christiania Teater.
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Photography courtesy of Hotel Christiania Teater
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We have always been fond of old buildings with a rich history. The Grand Hotel in Oslo is one such place – the neoclassical building has undergone a number of transformations since it was erected in 1840, and the current facade from 1912 is designed by architect Ole Sverre. Most people associate the Grand Hotel with the Grand Café, but if you enter the hotel itself, you will find a cosy restaurant named Palmen that serves the best steak tartare in town.
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Photography courtesy of Grand Hotel
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Clarion Hotel The Hub, boasting 810 rooms, impresses with its decor, relying heavily on contemporary art, its rooftop herb and microgreen garden. Norda, the in-house restaurant, consultant chef Marcus Samuelsson offers Nordic fusion cuisine and Bon Bon cocktail bar serves delicious but pricey cocktails. Modern art dominates throughout the interiors, which are designed by interior designer Anemone Wille Våge. There is a digital art wall embedded in the elevators depicting water at various times of the year, and art pieces by Norwegian artists like Bård Breivik, Tom Sandberg and Ann Karin Furunes are found throughout the hotel.
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Photography courtesy of Clarion Hotel The Hub
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Rising above the city centre, this 22-storey Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel tower, designed by Lund+Slaatto Arkitekter features 499 rooms and suites, many with sweeping views of the Oslofjord or Palace Park. On the 21st floor, Summit Bar by Snøhetta offers a sharp, angular interior and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the skyline. Downstairs, 26 North Restaurant & Social Club focuses on regional ingredients, serving up robust Nordic flavours in a moody, low-lit setting. Guests have access to a wellness area with a heated indoor pool, sauna and fitness room. Conference facilities span 18 meeting rooms. The hotel is within walking distance of the National Museum, Aker Brygge and Oslo’s waterfront paths.
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Photography courtesy of Snøhetta and Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel
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Opposite the National Theatre, Hotel Continental is a privately owned property that has been run by the same family for four generations. The 151 rooms and suites are individually designed, combining custom furnishings with curated artworks and views over the Royal Palace or Oslofjord. Theatercaféen, opened in 1900, features original Art Nouveau interiors and a seasonal menu rooted in Norwegian and Central European traditions. Bar Boman doubles as a gallery space, with a permanent collection of Edvard Munch lithographs and a carefully built cocktail list. A compact but well-equipped fitness studio completes the offering, while key cultural venues sit just minutes from the door.
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Photography courtesy of Hotel Continental
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Established in 1920, Hotel Bristol stands in Oslo’s city centre, showcasing Moorish-inspired architecture by Finn Rahn. The hotel’s 251 rooms and suites feature antique-style furnishings and modern amenities. Dining options include the Bristol Grill, offering traditional Norwegian cuisine in an English pub setting, and the Vinterhaven and Bibliotekbaren, known for afternoon tea accompanied by live piano music. As a guest, you have access to a fully equipped fitness centre. The hotel’s location provides convenient access to cultural landmarks such as the National Theatre and the Royal Palace.
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Photography courtesy of Hotel Bristol
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Situated on Oslo’s main thoroughfare, Karl Johans gate, this 19th-century building houses the 157 room Karl Johan Hotel. Each room features adjustable air conditioning, still a rare sight in Scandinavia, blackout curtains and wellness products, ensuring a restful stay. Start off your day with a highly regarded breakfast in Restaurant Ekman, which provides views over the bustling street below. The hotel’s central location places visitors within walking distance of landmarks such as the Royal Palace, Oslo Opera House, and the National Museum.
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Photography courtesy of Karl Johan Hotel
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