Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz Oslo

Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz occupies a 1950s, eight-story, red brick building with marbled accents that represents its era's blocky aesthetic. The inside of the hotel, which underwent a complete renovation in 2014, tells a different story: It's modern and fashion-conscious with bright pops of color, playful patterned accents, and sleek metallic details. Lobby sitting areas feature high-backed armchairs upholstered in butterfly-patterned fabric alongside seating in bright velvets, like a chesterfield-style sofa in rich blue. This same chic style extends into guest rooms and common areas alike, including the restaurant with its gilded bar and the eighth-story lounge with bright-printed chairs and gold-colored pendant lights. Business guests and tourists alike stay here, crossing paths at the hotels' popular free breakfast and light evening meals.

The hotel is situated on the corner of a small square in the center of Oslo. It shares the street with restaurants, bars, and other hotels. It's just a three-minute walk from Karl Johans Gate, the city's main street, and most of Oslo's attractions can be reached on foot. The Parliament, Oslo Cathedral, National Theater, and City Hall are all walkable in under 10 minutes. For sights farther out, the Tinghuset light rail station is just across the street (a one-minute walk) and Stortinget subway station is a four-minute walk.

• Four-minute walk to Parliament
• Five-minute walk to Oslo Cathedral.
• Six-minute walk to the National Theater
• Seven-minute walk to City Hall (Rådhuset)
• 11-minute walk to Oslo Central Station
• 12-minute walk to the Royal Palace
• 16-minute walk to Aker Brygge 
• 17-minute walk to Oslo Opera House
• 15 minutes to the Munch Museum via subway
• 40 minutes to Oslo Airport via public transit

The hotel's chic, modern vibe extends to guest rooms where gilded accents and bright, velvety upholstered chairs stylishly balance more standard furnishings, like open wardrobes. Chic decor includes golden headboards or accent walls behind the beds, green button-tufted armchairs, and bright bed runners, all paired with neutral walls and drapes, wall-to-wall carpeting, and black furnishings. Bathrooms are basic but contemporary with white tiling and walk-in showers.

High-end amenities reflect the hotel's pearl status and include big smart TVs, Bose sound systems, free Wi-Fi, lightly stocked minibars, and coffee/tea service (electric kettles or Nespresso machines, depending on the room category). They also have electronic safes, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, robes, umbrellas, and a combination of soap dispensers and free individual toiletries. 

Entry-level doubles can feel a bit tight at just 215 square feet, but suites are more than twice that size. Upgraded rooms add space plus extras like sleeper sofas, sitting areas, or separate tubs. Suites feature furnished balconies, chic dining areas, and even exercise bikes. Guests occasionally note noise from late-night bars and clubs nearby, so light sleepers should consider a room facing away from the street.

This hotel offers the extra features expected of an upscale establishment, but it's the unique freebies that really cement its popularity. The trendy on-site restaurant, Brasserie Paleo, with its gilded bar serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests rave in particular about the free breakfast buffet, which includes an extensive spread of hot and cold classics plus Norwegian specialties (reindeer meat, anyone?). Also included in the room rate is a free "light" dinner, a set-menu meal served in the eighth-story lounge, a stylish little hangout spot open to all guests and serving up free coffee, tea, water, and light snacks like nuts all throughout the day. 

Other more typical features include a gym with modern cardio and weightlifting equipment, including treadmills, an elliptical, a bench press, and a full rack of dumbbells. There are two chic meeting rooms on site, including a cool garden-themed room set in a atrium, and two computers in the lobby for guest use. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. High-end services on offer include concierge service, room service, laundry service, luggage storage, and valet parking for an extra fee. Late checkouts are available on Sundays.