The Hotel Bristol is the highest-rated hotel in Oslo, Norway. Also known as the Hotel Bristol Hotel or just The Bristol, it's an old hotel with a rich history and luxurious modern interior. It has so many positive reviews online that we had to book a room there for ourselves to see what all the fuss was about. And boy, were we blown away! The location is perfect, the staff are friendly and helpful, and most importantly of all… the rooms are gorgeous! This grand old lady of a hotel has been given a new lease of life since being bought by Fosshotel in 2014. It’s now back to its former glory after undergoing an extensive renovation project that has updated everything from the plumbing to the carpets and furnishings; you won’t find any cracked paintwork or missing lightbulbs here!
Awards and Recognition
The Hotel Bristol has been named the Best Hotel in Oslo on TripAdvisor for the last 3 years in a row. It’s also been awarded the “Top Choice” award for Europe on Booking.com, and has received a Certificate of Excellence every year since being listed on the site. In addition to all this, it was voted Norway’s “Best Hotel” by readers of the Norwegian travel magazine Reiselyst in both 2017 and 2018. The Hotel Bristol is also the hotel where author Knut Hamsun wrote his famous novel “Hunger”. This novel is often credited as being the beginning of modern literature, and it was written while Hamsun was staying at the hotel. How’s that for a bit of history?
Best season to visit
The Hotel Bristol is open all year round, but it’s busiest during the summer months when the tourists are out in force. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, you’ll have a much more relaxed stay at the end of October or beginning of November, when the weather is still warm enough to enjoy the roof terrace and the city is far less busy and touristy. If you’re visiting from late December to mid-February, you’ll find Oslo at its most magical during the festive season. The city is beautifully decorated, the air is crisp and there’s a magical mist hanging over the fjords.
Rooms & Services Available
Amenities
The Bristol offers all the standard amenities you might expect from a luxury hotel, including free Wi-Fi, a gym and rooftop terrace with heated infinity pool. It’s also well placed for sightseeing, with the Royal Palace and the Viking Ship Museum both within walking distance. You’ll find a few other amenities that you won’t often find in hotels at this price point, including a spa, a barbershop and a tailor. The hotel also has a “Books & Drinks” program where you can borrow books and DVDs from the library while sipping wine, coffee and more. The hotel is also home to a Michelin-starred restaurant, Sous Vide, and The Living Room cocktail bar. If you’re feeling hungry and not in the mood to dine at the hotel, there are plenty of great places to eat nearby, including the Torggata-Morgensterd market which is open on weekends.
Location
If you’re a tourist visiting Oslo, you’ll want to stay in the city center. That’s where you’ll find all the best restaurants, bars and sights. The Hotel Bristol is in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the Royal Palace and Frogner Park where you’ll find the famous “Scream” statues.
Hanging out in the lobby
The lobby at the Hotel Bristol is a wonderful place to while away a few hours. It’s a big, grand space with a beautiful chandelier and comfortable sofas. You can enjoy a coffee or glass of wine from the bar, or take a seat by the fireplace if it’s chilly outside. There are always plenty of people staying at the hotel who are happy to strike up a conversation. You can exchange travel tips, book recommendations and share travel stories with people from all over the world. It’s a great way to make new friends and learn about what to see and do in Oslo. There’s also a piano in the lobby that you can tickle the ivories as you sip your coffee or wine.
The dining options at the Hotel Bristol
No matter what your tastes, the Hotel Bristol has a dining option to satisfy you. If you’re looking for a luxury dining experience, you can’t go wrong with Sous Vide. This Michelin-starred restaurant serves up exquisite French cuisine. The menu is seasonal, and you’re likely to find dishes like wild sea bass, suckling pig, black cod and scallops with coriander emulsion on the menu. Alternatively, you can satisfy your sweet tooth with the tasty treats served up at the Living Room Bar. This laid-back cocktail bar serves killer desserts like chocolate fondant, vanilla crème brûlée and honeycomb ice cream.
The Pros and Cons
Pros:
- The Bristol is a luxurious, old-school hotel with modern amenities.
- It’s centrally located in Oslo, close to the city center and all the best restaurants and sights.
- The bar and dining options are exceptional for a hotel.
- There’s a great rooftop terrace with a heated pool.
- It’s beautifully decorated and has a lot of character.
- There are plenty of nice little extras like a free tailor, books from the library, and a 24/7 coffee and tea station.
Cons :
- It’s an old-school hotel, so it’s not very eco-friendly.
- It’s quite expensive, and you’ll have to pay an extra fee for things like room service.
- While the building has been renovated, the rooms are small.
Final Words: Should you stay at the Bristol?
If you’re looking for a luxury, old-school experience and don’t mind paying a little extra for it, then the Hotel Bristol is for you. It’s an authentic slice of history, and you’ll enjoy sipping your coffee or scotch by the fireplace and listening to the piano as you gaze out of the large windows at the bustling city below. Find out more about the Hotel Bristol and book your stay online. If you’re visiting Oslo, you’ve got to stay at the Hotel Bristol. This luxury hotel offers an authentic slice of history with all the modern amenities you could want. It’s centrally located, beautifully decorated, and offers top-notch dining options served up in a relaxed and cozy atmosphere. If you’re visiting Oslo, you’ve got to stay at the Hotel Bristol.
