Hotels

By the standards of many U.S. and Canadian cities, hotels in Oslo are very expensive. If you're from London, you'll feel right at home. Oslovian hotels lose most of their business travelers, their main revenue source, during the peak tourist months in midsummer. July is always a month for discounts. Some hotels' discounts begin June 21. Regular pricing usually resumes in mid-August.

Hotels also slash prices on weekends -- usually Friday and Saturday, and sometimes Sunday. Again, hotels often change their policies, so it's best to check when you make your reservations. Don't always expect a discount -- a quickly arranged conference could lead hotels to increase their prices.

The most economy-minded visitors can cut costs by staying at one of the old-fashioned hotels that offer a number of rooms without private bathrooms. Sometimes a room has a shower but no toilet. Even the rooms without bathrooms usually have a sink with hot and cold running water.

Hotel Reservations -- The worst months for finding a place to stay in Oslo are May, June, September, and October, when many business conferences are held. July and August are better, though that's the peak of the summer tourist invasion.

If you happen to arrive in Oslo without a reservation, head for the Oslo Tourist Information Office, Fridtjof Nansens Plass 5 (tel. 24-14-77-00), which can find you a room in your price category. The minimum stay is 2 days. Don't try to phone -- the service is strictly for walk-ins who need a room on the night of their arrival.

Note: Rates quoted below include the service charge and tax. Breakfast -- usually a generous Norwegian buffet -- is almost always included. Unless otherwise indicated, all our recommended accommodations come with bathrooms.

Family-Friendly Hotels

First Hotel Millennium -- This chain-run hotel offers some of the best family rooms in Oslo, with spacious living areas and even a separate bedroom should you want some privacy from your brood.

First Hotel Nobel House -- The other "First" in town, the Nobel offers rooms with small kitchenettes for preparing quick meals for the family as well as suites with a fairytale theme for your little prince or princess.

Grand Hotel -- The Grand's indoor pool provides an outlet for your child's energy. The "solve-everything" concierge can recommend babysitting services as well as diversions for young people.

Hotel Bristol -- One of the most elegant and comfortable hotels in Oslo welcomes children and lets those under 15 stay free in their parent's room. The chef will even put a "junior steak" on the grill.