Frogner House Apartments – Skovveien 8

Occupying an elegant Art Nouveau building, this five-story aparthotel has an exclusive air. Take the hushed lobby: matte-finish paint colors, handsome striped wallpaper and mahogany-toned woods accentuate the building’s already beautiful bones (picture high ceilings, ornamental moldings, and an original staircase). The end result is an updated take on a venerable gentleman’s club. However, there's no real “scene” to speak of because -- aside from a wee lounge adjacent to the reception desk containing a coffee machine and a smattering of reading material – there isn't a place for guests to gather. On the upside, the discreet types who tend to stay here (most of them upscale business travelers) appreciate the privacy this setup affords.

This aparthotel sits on a main street in the Frogner district, surrounded by mixed-use buildings with an array of shops, cafes, and restaurants at street level and posh apartments on the floors above. Popular with diplomats and affluent expats, this section of central Oslo has a lovely neighborhood feel. Moreover, the location is convenient for business travelers (particularly those doing work with embassies) as well as for leisure travelers who want a taste of local life. Distance from the major attractions, though, makes it a less appealing option for sightseers. The National Theatre and Royal Palace, for instance, are both in walking distance. But it takes 20 minutes by foot or 12 by tram to reach The National Gallery, one of its top landmarks. Arriving and departing guests can get to Oslo Airport by car or public transport in about 45 minutes: Frogner House can book the former for you.

• 11-minute walk to Royal Palace
• 15-minute walk to National Theatre
• 12 minutes by public transport to National Gallery 
• 13 minutes by public transport to Norwegian Folk Museum
• 15 minutes by public transport to Viking Ship Museum
• 16 minutes by public transport to Oslo Central Station
• 17 minutes by public transport to Akershus Fortress
• 19 minutes by public transport to Vigeland Sculpture Park 
• 22 minutes by public transport to Natural History Museum
• 23 minutes by public transport to Oslo Opera House
• 19-minute drive to Holmenkollen Ski Museum
• 44-minute drive to Oslo Airport 

The Frogner's high-end look isn't limited to the lobby. Apartment units housed here are stylish spaces that mix classic and contemporary elements. Darker colors and masculine wallpapers tend to dominate, with large windows adding natural light and quality cabinetry and premium linens enhancing the luxe feel. While tasteful, some guests may find the color palette here a bit too somber. Looks aside these rooms are also comfortable, immaculately clean, and well-equipped, since all have kitchenettes outfitted with a microwave, two-burner stove top and small fridge plus the requisite small appliances and cookware. Iron/ironing boards, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi are also standard issue, but landline phones are not. Given the similarities, what really sets the different categories apart is simply square footage: upper-tier options add larger seating areas as well as larger kitchenettes complete with ovens and dishwashers. Unfortunately, the rather bland tiled bathrooms -- which come with shower stalls only -- remain the same across the board. Note that towels, soap and shampoo are provided on arrival; however, they aren't replaced unless you pay for add-on cleaning services. Guests wishing to wash their own linens (or their own clothes) can take advantage of the free laundry area on each floor; a paid dry-cleaning/laundry service is also available. If you’re traveling with children, charges apply for on-request cots or cribs. 

Being more a short-term apartment complex than a hotel per se, this spot lacks many of the features you might otherwise expect in a four-pearl property. There is, for instance, no business center or meeting spaces -- despite the fact that most guests are staying here for work. Neither is there a restaurant or even a breakfast room, although you can have breakfast delivered to your door for a fee: prepared by W.B. Samson (a historic bakery in Oslo) it comes in standard, vegetarian, gluten- and lactose-free varieties. Similarly, Frogner House has no fitness room, but guests are able to use SATS Elixia facilities at discounted rates. Daily housekeeping is lacking, too, so don’t expect to have your bed made, towels replaced, or soap replenished unless you’re prepared to pay extra.