Karl Johan Hotel, Oslo

On checkout they told us that this hotel was recently refurbished and they were not wrong! The clearly vintage staircase wraps around a very modern glass elevator shaft which blends perfectly together. Scandinavian design is always flawless! I only stayed one night however, room was gorgeous as you can see. Bathroom had a rain shower head, great branded soaps etc.. The Iron! The only time I have so far found a really heavy quality iron in a hotel room. Lots of hangers too which solves a big bear of mine. A great breakfast room, it’s on 2nd floor but just follow the “frukost” signs, it’s in a glass roofed atrium in the middle of the hotel. Lots of choice, great eggs! Really freshly cooked. It’s definitely a great place to stay if you’re in Oslo!

I’d only booked one night at the Karl Johan Hotel in Oslo but I left wishing I’d had the opportunity to stay a little longer. On checkout I learned it had been recently refurbished and they weren’t kidding. A clearly vintage staircase wrapped around a sleek glass elevator shaft in a way that felt effortlessly harmonious, like old and new had been curated to play off each other. Scandinavian design at its finest.

My room was just as impressive. Warm wood floors underfoot, a handy desk for any last-minute work and a TV and Wi-Fi that behaved when I needed them made it feel both cozy and practical. The bathroom boasted a rain-shower head that delivered a perfect tropical-storm-level drench plus great branded soaps that smelled fresh without feeling overpowering. I almost forgot to mention the iron. I’ve stayed in dozens of hotels and this was the first time I’d found a really heavy, quality iron in the wardrobe (and lots of hangers to boot)—a small detail but one that solved a major pet peeve of mine.

Breakfast turned into one of those little moments worth planning your morning around. I followed the “frukost” signs up to the second floor and discovered a glass-roofed atrium in the middle of the hotel. Natural light poured in, bouncing off white walls and making the spread feel even more inviting. There was plenty to choose from but those eggs, freshly cooked to order, stole the show each time. I found myself lingering over a second cup of coffee before resisting the urge to try every pastry in sight.

Location couldn’t have been better. A cobblestone street outside led straight to Eidsvolls plass park, perfect for a pre-breakfast stroll, and I was a four-minute walk from the Nasjonalmuseet for art, architecture and design. Akershus Fortress sat just ten minutes away, beckoning with its ramparts and waterfront views. All told the Karl Johan Hotel felt like a spot where thoughtful details met classic charm. If you find yourself in Oslo for work or pleasure, it’s definitely worth a night or two.