Grand Hotel Oslo

Terrible Experience – Not Worth the Hype or the Money (1/5) Honestly, I don’t even know where to begin. I had high expectations for Grand Hotel Oslo given its reputation and “five-star” label, but it turned out to be one of the most disappointing hotel stays I’ve ever had. The service is painfully slow — and I mean really slow. Calling the front desk? Good luck. No one answers. Ever. When you finally do get through, they seem overwhelmed and uninterested. It’s very clear the place is severely understaffed. The rooms are tiny, like unbelievably small for the price you’re paying. There’s no air conditioning, no proper ventilation, and the room gets stuffy and uncomfortable quickly. Opening the window doesn’t help much, and when we asked for a fan, they were “out of stock.” Just wow. Everything is ridiculously overpriced, and I don’t mind paying for luxury — but this isn’t it. Not even close. The service, the room size, the comfort — all feel below three-star standard, yet they’re charging five-star prices. And let’s not even talk about the lack of basic amenities and the general attitude from the staff — cold, disinterested, and clearly under pressure. Not once did I feel welcomed or taken care of. Bottom line: this place relies on its location and name, but that’s about all it has going for it. Don’t be fooled by the “iconic” branding. There are plenty of better hotels in the same area that actually care about guests and offer far better value for money. Would absolutely not recommend. Save yourself the frustration.

Grand hotel is the best hotel in Oslo. No doubt about it. I have tried most of the ones in the city centre. Grand has pleasant, professional and helpful staff. There is quality in every aspect of the stay. Excellent breakfast and nice restaurants. I especially like the lunch option in the Palmen restaurant. Great location in the city centre at the same time as the room was calm. It is truly worth it. And I will for sure return again and again.

Top Hotel in the middle of the City. Hotel is old but in very good shape. Like a real Grand Hotel. Roof Top Bar is also top.

While the hotel and staff were absolutely lovely, the room spacious, but the bathroom was TERRIBLE. The commode was right at the start with absolutely no space between the wall and it, so much so that we kept banging our elbow on the wall everytime we had to use it! Yes, I’m sure the hotel would have changed the room if we requested, but we had already unpacked by the time we saw it. The question is why have and give a room like that to anyone in the first place? Especially in what is meant to be a 5 star hotel with that kind of pricing?

We checked into Grand Hotel Oslo for a quick staycation and loved how old-school elegance blends with up-to-date comfort. Breakfast was the star for my 13-year-old: perfectly boiled egg, crispy bacon, real-egg scrambled eggs (no powder!), “macarons for breakfast!” and every milk variety you can think of. Only the breakfast potatoes were a touch under-cooked, otherwise flawless hygiene and constant refills. Our room felt quietly luxurious: Byredo Bal d’Afrique amenities, fluffy towels, a cloud-like bed and a petite balcony overlooking a surprisingly calm city centre (the Town Hall chimes stop around 11 p.m.). The in-room coffee machine ran out of capsules but housekeeping appeared in under five minutes. Front-desk staff were equally kind, slipping a small gift to my niece—instant brownie points. We road-tested the Artesia Spa downstairs and, teen verdict: miles better than the brand-new but hectic Tøyenbadet across town—proof that true luxury is about atmosphere and service, not just pool size. All in all, a five-star night that delighted both adult and teen. Expect a full write-up soon on our little side project, Oslo Unlocked, but spoiler: we’ll be back.