So, here we are on Memorial Day in the US, 2017, and already hotels listed in Rick's guidebook are telling me they are booked up for June 2018! I'm going to have a bit more tea and then will start calling them to confirm. That being said, any suggestions for hotels in Oslo, preferably in the area of the Thon Hotel's price range and location? Those are the ones I've contacted and they are full up. Thanks very much!
Lisa
Have you looked at Thon Hotel Panorama ?
Hey Steven - I believe I contacted them all. Right now we're booked for the stay at Cochs Pensjonat which looks to be a bit more bare bones but certainly acceptable. They allow for changing the reservation and the rates are excellent, all things considered. I believe I contacted all the Thon hotels via e-mail but can call if you think its worth it. Thanks for your speedy reply!
Yes , call them . I booked there for the Fall of 2015 . I made the reservation about six months beforehand . Since your dates are a year out , it is entirely possible that they are simply not accepting reservations this far ahead . Rail tickets , for instance , only come on sale about 90 days ahead ( Some exceptions - Eurostar , 180 days - Czech Rail , 60 days - Russian rail - 60 days ) Hotels can do this sort of thing as well . The Thon site says they are having a problem with the booking system at the moment , but they show rooms with " price on request " . We were about a week in Oslo , and loved it , can't wait to return .
Will do!
Thank you! Any recommendations for specific restaurants or sites to see while there?
Lisa
We loved the Scandic Karl Johan. Great location, clean, awesome breakfast. We booked it on booking.com last January for our May trip (just got home yesterday). We reserved the premium room (over the standard) for $295.00 for 3 nights including breakfast. (watch for the sales. That is when we booked) I booked the larger room because multiple reviews said the standard rooms are pretty small. Our room was huge!! (but I could tell by looking at the floorplan on the back of the door that the standard rooms are quiet a bit smaller.
Here are a few targets for a stay in Oslo - As you will see , food in Scandinavia ( in restaurants , can be expensive ) Our room in the Thon Panorama , had a galley kitchen ( a nice touch ) and a table and seating . A ten minute walk from the hotel ,are two shopping malls next to Central Station - The Byporten , and The Oslo City Mall . In the bottom level of Oslo City Mall was a terrific supermarket ( MENY )with wonderful quality ( including a great selection of prepared food ) and prices comparable to the Stop and Shop here in White Plains .We would pick up some salads and roast chicken ( among the best we have ever had , and go back to the hotel to eat , here is the location - https://www.google.com/maps/place/MENY+Oslo+City/@59.9120574,10.7511552,18.04z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xeb7294c0974fc8d5!8m2!3d59.9128259!4d10.7526715 . The high point among the myriad sites , was the museum complex at Bygdoy , and for me , seeing the Fram Museum was a dream come true . For a trip to Norway , learning about two of Norway's most illustrious citizens , is a must - Fridjtof Nansen - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fridtjof_Nansen and Roald Amundsen - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roald_Amundsen . . The National Gallery has a fine collection of Scandinavian painting generally not seen here and worth your time . Also the Vigeland sculptures in Frogner Park are a must . I'm also sending you a PM
Connie and Steven ~ thank you both! You're a wealth of information! I love that there is a grocery store not too far from the hotel Steven so I'll give it a call now that I'm between items on the to do list. Also really like your highlights and will check out those links next. I'm looking forward to a number of pieces of this trip but trying out the new and fresh food is one of the pieces I'm excited for. Thanks again! Lisa
Update - I took Steven's suggestion and called each hotel that had previously said they were booked and indeed, there was a glitch in their system so we now have reservations at hotels that are in good locations for us and come recommended from you guys and R.S.
Appreciate it! Thanks!
Lisa
