Comfort and Value in Norway’s Capital: The Best Mid-Range Hotels in Oslo

Oslo is a city that often surprises first-time visitors with its vibrant blend of nature and modern urbanity. You’ve got the fjord, the forests, and a rapidly evolving cityscape with world-class architecture and a buzzing cultural scene.

If you’re planning a trip, one of the first things you’ll realize is that hotel prices, like most things in Norway, can be high. This is where your strategy for hotel selection comes in. Finding the sweet spot—that perfect mix of comfort, convenience, and good value—is essential to making your Oslo trip enjoyable without breaking the bank. For a mid-range traveler, the goal is often a clean, comfortable room, an excellent location for sightseeing, and perhaps a fantastic breakfast, without paying for unnecessary frills.

Oslo’s city center, or Sentrum, is where most visitors choose to stay, as it’s home to major attractions like the Royal Palace, the National Gallery, and the main shopping street, Karl Johans gate. Hotels here offer unparalleled access to transport and key sights. Just east of Sentrum, near the Central Station and the Opera House, is the quickly developing Bjørvika area, which is highly modern and transit-friendly. For something a little quieter but still central, areas around St. Olavs Plass offer a slightly more local feel while keeping you within walking distance of the action.

To help you navigate, we’ve compiled a list of the top mid-range hotels in Oslo. These recommendations focus on travelers looking for that balance of comfort and convenience at a good value.

---

Centrally Located & Convenient: Near Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) and Karl Johans gate

This cluster of hotels puts you right in the heart of the action, often steps from the main train and bus hub, making arrival and day trips incredibly easy.

Clarion Hotel The Hub A massive, modern hotel located right next to Oslo Central Station. The design is contemporary and sleek, and its sheer size means a huge array of facilities. A standout feature is the hotel’s large rooftop terrace and bar offering spectacular city views, plus an indoor pool and substantial gym area.

• Pros: Exceptional location for transit, excellent and extensive breakfast buffet, modern design, great on-site amenities like a pool and rooftop bar.
• Cons: Rooms can be compact in the lower categories, can feel very large and busy, sometimes high prices put it towards the top of the mid-range scale.

Thon Hotel Opera Located directly opposite the stunning Oslo Opera House and behind the Central Station, this hotel features the signature colorful, playful, and contemporary design of the Thon chain. The rooms are well-equipped and the atmosphere is vibrant, appealing to both business and leisure travelers.

• Pros: Unbeatable location for the Opera and transport, modern and distinctive decor, highly-rated free buffet breakfast.
• Cons: Some rooms, particularly the single options, are noted as small, and the complimentary breakfast area can get very crowded.

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Oslo A prominent landmark being one of Norway’s tallest buildings, this hotel offers some of the best high-floor views in the city. While it’s a large-scale business hotel, its mid-range price point often appeals to leisure travelers looking for scale and convenience next to Oslo S. It also features a stunning top-floor bar and restaurant.

• Pros: Spectacular views from higher floors and the top-floor amenities, convenient location next to Central Station, extensive facilities including a lap pool and fitness center.
• Cons: Can feel large and impersonal due to its scale, the lobby and common areas can be extremely busy.

Comfort Hotel Karl Johan Perfectly situated on the main Karl Johans gate, but cleverly tucked away in a courtyard, minimizing street noise. It’s an eco-friendly hotel with a youthful, no-fuss vibe, focusing on providing an excellent bed and a fantastic breakfast.

• Pros: Fantastic central location, friendly and energetic staff, delicious buffet breakfast, nice attached bistro and courtyard.
• Cons: Some rooms are reported as extremely small, a minimalist approach means no minibars, and noise from nearby nightlife can occasionally be an issue.

Thon Hotel Astoria Another budget-friendly Thon option that focuses heavily on location and breakfast. It’s nestled just a short walk from Karl Johans gate and Oslo Central Station, making it exceptionally easy to get around.

• Pros: Superb central location for walking to all major sights and transport, an excellent, wide-ranging breakfast buffet.
• Cons: Rooms are frequently described as very small, with limited space for luggage, and some guests note that bathrooms are cramped.

Classic Charm and Boutique Style: Sentrum’s Cultural Heart

These hotels are situated in slightly quieter but still highly central locations, offering a mix of classic elegance or a distinctive, artsy atmosphere.

Hotel Bristol A true Oslo classic, this hotel blends traditional grandeur with modern comfort. Known for its sophisticated atmosphere, stunning architecture, and legendary public spaces like the Library Bar and the Vinterhaven, it’s a sophisticated choice for travelers who appreciate a historic feel.

• Pros: Magnificent, historic interiors, high-quality dining and bar areas, excellent room comfort, located in the cultural heart of the city.
• Cons: Often borders on the luxury category, making it pricier than other mid-range options; some rooms can feel a bit dated compared to modern alternatives.

Clarion Collection Hotel Folketeateret This boutique-style hotel is set in a former theater building, giving it a unique, quirky flair with an art deco touch. The excellent value here comes from the inclusion of complimentary afternoon tea and a light evening meal, in addition to the standard outstanding Norwegian breakfast.

• Pros: Included afternoon ‘fika’ and evening meal provides exceptional value, distinctive and memorable art-deco style, very central location near the folketeateret and main shopping areas.
• Cons: Evening meal options can be limited, and some reviews mention inconsistent cleanliness or noise from the nearby area.

Thon Hotel Cecil Located close to the Parliament and major shopping areas, Thon Hotel Cecil offers a modern and business-friendly environment that is quiet yet central. Like other Thon hotels, its excellent breakfast is a major draw.

• Pros: Excellent and quiet location near Parliament, known for its outstanding breakfast and comfortable beds.
• Cons: Rooms are often reported to be small, making it difficult to open and store larger luggage.

Value and Accessibility: Slightly Off the Beaten Track

These hotels are still in the city center or immediately adjacent, but their slightly less high-profile addresses allow them to offer superior value or a quieter stay.

Smarthotel Oslo A clever, modern budget option that punches above its weight in design and location, situated near the Royal Palace. Its “smart” concept means compact, well-designed rooms with everything you need and nothing you don’t.

• Pros: Exceptional value for the central location, modern and practical room design, a focus on efficiency and comfort.
• Cons: Rooms are small and minimalist (truly compact), may lack some of the full-service amenities of larger hotels.

Thon Hotel Munch Tucked away in a quieter street near the Royal Palace park, this hotel offers a more peaceful retreat while still being an easy walk from Sentrum. It maintains the Thon standard of good service and an impressive breakfast spread.

• Pros: Quieter location yet still central and accessible, spacious and clean rooms compared to some other budget options, excellent breakfast.
• Cons: A slightly longer walk to the very core of the Central Station and main commercial street.

Scandic St. Olavs Plass Set in the attractive area of St. Olavs Plass, close to the National Gallery and the Royal Palace, this hotel is a solid Scandic offering known for its modern and functional design. It’s a great choice if you prefer a cultural area just north of the busy retail district.

• Pros: Good location near cultural sights and a quieter neighborhood, modern design, well-regarded breakfast.
• Cons: Some rooms are noted to be small, and it’s a bit farther from the Central Station and waterfront compared to other options.

Scandic Holberg Located slightly west of the main Sentrum, close to the area of Majorstuen, this hotel is well-connected by public transport and offers a comfortable stay at a reliable standard. It’s a good choice for those who might want to explore the more residential areas of Oslo.

• Pros: Excellent breakfast, reliable Scandic standard of cleanliness and service, good transport links from its location.
• Cons: Can be noisy due to tram lines nearby, room sizes can be small, and it requires a short public transport ride or a decent walk to reach the core Sentrum.

---

Upscale Mid-Range / Boutique Splurges

For those who don’t mind spending a bit more for a distinctly higher quality experience—the “mid-range-plus” bracket—Oslo also offers some fantastic, character-filled hotels.

Amerikalinjen A beautifully restored 1919 building that was once the Norwegian America Line headquarters, this hotel is a stunning blend of maritime history and contemporary boutique chic. It’s located right next to the Central Station.

• Pros: Exceptional, unique design that pays tribute to its history, outstanding on-site restaurants and bars (including a popular jazz club), high level of comfort and service.
• Cons: Consistently high prices place it at the luxury end of the mid-range or beyond, making it more of a splurge.

The Thief Located in the trendy and art-filled Tjuvholmen district, The Thief is a stylish, art-focused luxury boutique. While often more expensive, its inclusion is for those seeking a highly memorable stay with a distinct personality, top-tier amenities, and proximity to the waterfront and Astrup Fearnley Museum.

• Pros: Ultra-stylish design with a curated art collection, excellent rooms (all with balconies), fantastic spa and popular rooftop bar, great location for modern art and dining.
• Cons: Definitely a “splurge” option that can stretch a mid-range budget significantly, and the spa/pool use often incurs an extra fee.

Scandic Victoria Note: The hotel most commonly known as “Scandic Victoria” is a centrally located property, but “Scandic Victoria Tower” may be confused with the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel (Oslo’s tallest) or the Scandic Holberg. Assuming this entry refers to the centrally located and highly-rated Scandic Victoria near Oslo City Hall: A reliable choice offering comfort and a fantastic location near the National Gallery and the Parliament. It’s a functional, well-maintained hotel that serves as an excellent base for sightseeing.

• Pros: Very central and convenient location for Karl Johans gate and public transport, highly-rated breakfast, clean and comfortable rooms.
• Cons: Can be busy due to its popularity, and the overall feel is functional rather than boutique.