Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget

The seven-floor Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget, which opened in 2011, is modern and white with pops of electric yellow or orange that can be seen through large windows on the ground floor. Edgy decor, colorful furniture and murals in the lobby, which is on the third floor, convey a youthful, playful vibe. While the decor and ambience might appeal most to young travelers, anyone can appreciate the clean interiors, low prices, and central location. Black and gray floral carpeting adds flair to the lobby, which has pinball machines and foosball table, and numerous communal areas in which to work or relax, including a TV lounge with floral-patterned sofas, a cheeky grandmotherly touch. A staff member is on-hand to help with the self-service check-in and to answer guests' questions. 

Slightly on the outskirts of the city center, the hotel is on a busy street that’s surrounded by takeaway restaurants, pubs, and bars. It’s an easy walk to Youngstorget Square. Central Station is a 10-minute walk, and from there travelers can catch the Flytoget that goes to the Oslo Airport in about 30 minutes. Most of Oslo’s sights are within walking distance. Karl Johans Gate is about a 10-minute walk, and the Akershus Fortress is 15 minutes away on foot. Other attractions -- the Oslo Opera House, the Royal Palace, and Aker Brygge -- are easily reached on public transportation in less than 20 minutes. The Viking Ship Museum is just under 30 minutes by bus. It’s an hour's subway ride to the Holmenkollbakken Ski Jump, and Oslo Airport is about a 40-minute drive.

The hotel has 172 starkly stylish well-designed rooms, with hip details, wooden floors, and bursts of color like acid-yellow tables and vampy red curtains. Rooms are furnished with writing desks, pull-out luggage racks, and built-in wardrobe pegs for hangers. There are three types of Standard Rooms, which have a single bed, two single beds, or one double bed. All rooms are air-conditioned, and have HD flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and iPod docks. Bathrooms are tiny but modern, with white subway tile, wet-room-style showers, wall-mounted hairdryers, and square sinks. Housekeeping comes every four days, or more frequently for a fee. Room views are of the city or an atrium.

The Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget doesn’t have a restaurant, but it has a bar near reception (aptly named Barception). For now, a 24-hour lobby snack shop sells cold drinks, light meals, and takeaway breakfast items. Free tea and coffee are available 24 hours a day in the lobby. A small kitchen area includes two microwaves and a kettle for guests' use. The rooftop terrace, with views of the city, has picnic-table seating. There are also two Apple iMac computers available. The hotel also has a 24-hour gym with cardio equipment, free weights, and a flat-screen TV. Laundry machines are also on-site. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.