Grand Hotel Oslo

We really enjoyed the old world ambiance, beautiful hallways and doors of this hotel. Our room had a balcony overlooking city hall and we enjoyed the fantastic atmosphere as Norwegians celebrated their win over Brazil. The noise over our 3 nights did not bother us and ended before 10am. It was worth it to be in the centre of everything. The bus tours start just down the road and there are lots of shops restaurants etc all around. A short walk to the royal palace, the old fort and the ferry port with nice restaurants. The bed was very comfy and the room was nicely decorated. The bathroom was surprisingly small but worked well. The staff were very helpful and friendly. We were sorry we didn’t sample their breakfast until our last day. It was sumptuous and had everything hot and cold and all the different coffees and milks at a very good price. Sorry we didn’t try the restaurant for our evening meal. We’ll just have to come back.

This is a pleasant enough hotel in a great location for seeing the sights of Oslo. A little bit of faded grandeur. However, that great location is marred by the whole Karl Johans Gata and Stortingsgata area being very noisy. While we were there there was an open air disco at the pub over the road which was very audible in our room at the front of the hotel in the evenings. The pub is next door to the Parliament building - odd. There can be protests outside the Parliament which add to the noise. There are other pubs up and down the street so it is a bit of a ‚party mile‘ sadly. The whole area is noisy with trams and buses running down the South side of the square. It also seems the city‘s Metro runs immediately below the hotel, judging by the rumbling noises. The rooms are adequate. Despite mentioning it on the first day, the room thermostat didn‘t function although the air conditioning was adequate when it was hot outside (and a bit too cool overnight). Some of the staff are excellent, some less so. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon. No porters to help move bags from the taxi or to help take them up the six steps to the elevators or to the room. When we left the porter was very helpful. Given the access to the elevators and at least one split level floor in the hotel, it is probably not a good hotel for wheelchair users. Breakfast buffet is good. One meal at the hotel restaurant spoilt by a main course that was inedible.

We loved this hotel! Located right in the middle of the main street of Oslo. Great staff, always ready to help. Large, clean rooms. Comfortable beds and two chairs in the room! Amenities replenished daily. Our room was on a side street, so it was on the quieter side. We sat in the bar one evening and the bartender was great. Very friendly and engaging. The atmosphere of the hotel is elegant and charming. A pleasant way to end our trip to Norway.

We were shocked that the rooms are not air conditioned. We were in Oslo during a stretch of 80 degree days in June. We had to leave the windows open, and we were given a fan at our request, but a luxury hotel at this price should be air conditioned. Fortunately our room faced an interior courtyard , so we were not bothered by the street noise in this busy neighborhood . The rooms were spacious but had an insufficient number of electrical outlets for our two electronic devices and electric toothbrushes (none in the bathroom). Elegant, spacious, but not up to 21st century standards.

When the Grand was built in 1874, there were no protesters with megaphones right in front of the hotel. But today, the noise is deafening and it's unavoidable. It's so loud we could hear what the protesters were saying from our room. That one significant disturbance completely ruined our stay and we will never come back. There are way too many fine hotels in Oslo that don't have that problem.