mocha_dolce

Some areas of Oslo are described as a little seedy and frequented by drug users. We don't need a super fancy hotel but would like a safe and attractive location, a quiet room with view; king-sized bed, in room safe, bath with enclosed shower stall or shower-tub combination, breakfast buffet included. Budget: prefer to pay less than $450, willing to pay more if the hotel is outstanding.

Any comments on the Grand or the Continental or other recommendations from recent guests would be appreciated.

historytraveler

I stayed at the Grand last year and loved it. Great location, beautiful hotel, excellent staff and the best breakfast buffet I'be ever experienced. Highly recommend.

tower

I'm a fan of the Gabelshus (I believe it is now a member of the Clarion group). Charming, small hotel in the upscale embassy district..frequent street car or nice walk to Aker Brygge and the city center. Ivy covered and a massive, outstanding buffet for breakfast..very quiet street. You'll be far under your max. rate.

stu

tower

mocha..here is The Gabelshus and pix of a trip into Norway to give you a feel for the ultra scenic country. We took the N-I-N, to Bergen and then the Hurtigruten for two days out of Begen, stayed in Trondheim overnight and then did another da and night day on the boat to Bodo. Rented car, took car fery from Bodo. We motored from the Lofotens all the way to Tromso.

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...uHk6iIgbSEgAE#

HappyTrvlr

We loved staying at the Grand Hotel. The staff were so helpful, helpedmus plan oir days in the city, and the location was perfect. The breakfast was the most varied and plentiful we've ever seen. One night we ate dinner at their restaurant at an outside table, lovely.

mocha_dolce

Thanks for the thumbs up on the Grand, Happy and History. Do you recall the room types: standard/superior/deluxe/junior suite and whether they were recently renovated and what their orientation (onto Karl Johans Gate/Rosenkrantz. Palmen Courtyard/Arbeitergartne? That seems to affect how people like the rooms/view/how much noise. What your visit in summer? During the week or on the weekend? Which floor were you on? Sorry for all the questions, but it is such a big place, those details seem to make a difference in people's perception.

Stu, thanks for posting the spectacular photos! I will check out the Gabelshus. Clarion group always gets good reviews but sometimes doesn't have the in room safe and enclosed shower features. Worth investigating further though as quiet sounds in short supply in Oslo.

lanejohann

Thanks to Tower we also stayed in Gabelhus and loved loved loved it! It even afforded us the opportunity to have breakfast and dinner! Unheard of! Norway is very expensive so this was heaven and the food was lovely.
It is a lovely hotel - very 'gentleman club' feel and we could help ourselves to hot beverages any time!

tower

happy you liked it lanejohann...recommending hotels or restaurants is an iffy business...no two people have the exact same taste. There is a list I've made of my favorite lodgings around the world..and I rec from that list...still no assurance that all will be liked, let alone loved! Hard t imgine beating the buffet breakfasts at Gabelshus. "Gentleman's Club " is an apt description.
Stu

HappyTrvlr

We booked directly with the Grand Hotel online and they had a special promotion.. I remember that the room was in the back and was quiet, perhaps a courtyard, a location we usually choose. But I do not remember what floor we were on.We stayed there during the week in August. The staff and the location were exceptional, the room was fine. We walked a short distance to the Grand from the airport train when we arrived, getting off at a station nearby, not going all the way to the main train station. Did the same in reverse when we left Oslo.
We easily accessed public transportation around the city, out to the museums.