Oslo: hotel popolari con vista mare, trova i prezzi più bassi

I would really have liked to have given this a five star review, because the reception staff were super friendly, making sure I knew where the tourist attractions were and how to get there on my first day and letting me use the toilet when I popped back on my last day well after I’d checked out, as well as giving me a room with a phenomenal view of the fjord, but a couple of things took the shine off for me. One was the lack of air con. I mis-understood how hot Oslo could be, which is kind of on me and not the hotel BUT the DIY open window and fan arrangement weren’t entirely satisfactory, and while I was in my room, I never felt entirely comfortable with how hot I was. I guess the opposite could also be true if you can’t control how hot or cold your room gets in winter (when I assume my imaginings of snow drifts is actually a thing). Secondly was the breakfast. I can in no way fault the food - smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, bread, carrot cake (always a joy, whatever the time of day), melon, cheese and ham, but trying to find a table was sometimes impossible. It was particularly difficult for me as a solo traveller. It involved getting up early, crossing my fingers and piling everything on my plate in one go, just in case. Some days it was fine, but one day, after walking what felt like the entire length of the shopping centre getting increasingly dispondent, I had to perch on the end of a table with a group of pensioners who were staying there after two weeks travelling up and down Scandinavia together on train. Fortunately I am mature enough to be able to make small talk, but I can see how it wouldn’t go down so well with everyone else. Coffee was also a hit hit and miss - I was only offered some two out of four days. These little quirks are a real shame, because the location is great (handy for the train and city centre tourist attractions), and as I say, the staff on reception were lovely (and based on what I heard while I was standing in line, some of the other guests can be quite demanding). If I’m in Oslo again, I would definitely consider staying here again (but maybe bring a handheld fan or multiple layers of clothing, depending on the season) and maybe avoiding the breakfast.