The Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Oslo is the epitome of the typical Scandinavian hotel: nice and warm in some ways, but with a frugal, old-fashioned feel that stings a little. But we like it for the view, the location and the gym, which can justify a stay on its own.

As I was organizing my trip, I was about to start looking for a hotel in Oslo when I fortuitously had an exchange with one of our readers, an expert in Scandinavian travel with a specialization in “Norway”. Having a status on the Radisson loyalty program I thought I’d go with them (no other major chain is present apart from another local champion, Scandic) and the fact that she recommended this particular hotel to me meant I didn’t ask any more questions and booked it straight away. Anyway, I’m getting used to the frugality of hotels in the region, so I know where to set my expectations.

You’ll find at the bottom of the page a summary of the articles about this vacation in Vietnam.

Booking

A few months before my arrival, I booked a standard room for 120 euros per night at a flexible rate, which does not require payment on booking. In the end, not very expensive when you consider the cost of living in Scandinavia.

Location of the hotel

It’s right next to the central train station and can be reached in less than 10 minutes once you’ve got off the train. The neighborhood itself isn’t particularly pretty, but as is often the case around train stations, you’ll only have to walk a few minutes to reach the touristy parts of town.

Arrival at the hotel and check-in

I checked in online the day before my arrival. I was offered two upgrades. One is a very affordable panoramic room with a view of the city, the other a little more expensive with a view of the fjords. Personally, I prefer city views and I’m not convinced of the value of a fjord view in September. And as my “advisor” told me that you could see the fjords from the gym anyway, I opted for the city view.

I will then check-in online.

I arrive at the station by Flytoget, the high-speed train that links the airport to the city center in 20 minutes every 10 minutes, making (like Stockholm’s Arlanda Express) Paris and its RER B look like a third-world city.

Less than 10 minutes later, after following the signs, I’m in front of the hotel.

You can’t miss it anyway, and it’s easy to find after your excursions: it’s one of the tallest towers in the city center.

Not necessarily pretty, but emblematic of the hotels of a certain era when it was necessary to go big and, above all, hyper-standardized.

It’s a bit crowded at reception, even in the priority queue.

It’s not 11am and I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that there’s a room available so I can get a shower and change quickly, since I’ve been on the road for 24 hours.

The agent finally finds one! Good news, because Radisson is one of those chains that doesn’t hesitate to charge you for early check-in, especially in Scandinavia where everything is always a little stingier than elsewhere.

However, another unbearable local habit: the cost of the stay (excluding extras, of course) is collected at check-in and not at check-out.

I can finally go to my room.

The room

Located on the top floor of the hotel, on the 27th floor, at least the promise of an upgrade is kept.

If it’s clean and there’s nothing wrong with the furniture, it can’t hide the hotel’s age.

Successive renovations can’t hide the fact that the hotel is still stuck in the 80s and 90s, as evidenced by the small window, whereas today we’d have a large bay window. To my surprise, the window can be opened… another reminder of a bygone era.

The bedding will be very comfortable. Remarkably, I’ll have one large comforter and not two half comforters, as is often the case in Scandinavia.

A small lounge area, not unpleasant.

On the other hand, there’s no desk and I think that’s a shame. Don’t tell me that this hotel doesn’t welcome guests who need to work.

As for the view: you have to imagine the opera behind the towers. The Munch Museum is on the right.

And, of course, the station is at your feet.

The gray weather slightly spoils the view of the water and greenery…

It’s certainly not the most beautiful part of the city, but that’s what station districts are all about.

The bathroom is large, with a single washbasin and a bathtub that doubles as a shower. The toilets are not separated.

It lacks a little warmth, but I’ve seen so much worse in the region… However, no bathrobe is provided!

Two other comments: the first is that the room is quite dark. The lack of outside light contributes to this, but the tones chosen don’t help brighten up the place either.

The second is that the air-conditioning will make an unbearable noise. Under normal circumstances I would have asked to change rooms, but if I have to wait 4 hours for one to become available, I’ll make do.

A pleasant and comfortable room considering the chain and the price paid. More than enough for a short tourist stay.

Hotel facilities

The hotel has a swimming pool and a gym.

Getting to them will be no easy task! Once you’ve reached the right floor, you’ll have to walk up no less than 4 flights of stairs to reach the swimming pool and 5 to reach the gym.

The Pool

It’s modest in size and I won’t find the time to linger over it. As soon as 5 guests are present, it becomes overcrowded.

The gym

I told you that the gym alone justified a visit to the hotel. Located on the roof of the hotel, it is entirely glazed.

Although a little cramped, for understandable reasons, it’s pretty well equipped.

So even if you’re not into sport, it’s worth a detour, if only to take a few photos!

Bars and restaurants

The hotel has several bars and two restaurants.

Lobby Bar

A classic hotel bar in the lobby. Nothing special to say.

Restaurant the top

This is the hotel’s top-of-the-range restaurant, located on the upper floors and visibly offering a beautiful view of the city. It was temporarily closed during my stay.

Chicago Pizza & Brew

A pizzeria/pub on the ground floor. Really unattractive, an unappealing menu and catastrophic ratings on Tripadvisor.

I’ll pass.

Bar and restaurant the Top Terrace

It’s a place to eat and drink at all hours, and takes the place of the next bar before it opens for the aperitif.

Table service, and I can’t say more than that because I only spent half an hour there while waiting for the bar on the same floor to open.

Very nice view from the 34th floor, though.

Bar the top

Located on the 34th floor, this is another friendly cocktail bar.

Here, too, there’s a beautiful view of the city.

Apparently no service at the table , yet another Scandinavian hotel habit.

Service

Efficient and smiling, not much to say even if I had little interaction with him outside the bar.

Check-out

The hotel offers a self check-out service (not obvious at all in the region), but a little old school with a not too clear form to fill in.

Bottom line

A very decent hotel that does the job, with very reasonable prices for the service provided, contrary to local standards.

Not sexy enough to return to at any price, but no reason to avoid it in the future either, and its location will remain a criterion of choice.

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