Frogner House Apartments- Helgesens gate 1

Our friends were staying near the original address, so being moved across the city threw off the whole weekend. We ended up going back and forth on the underground and spending too much on ride shares. The change came in a single email that landed in junk mail. There was no phone call and no Expedia message, even though that’s where we booked. We only found out after arriving at the original location, and paid for two Bolt rides to get across town. Staff gave us a snarky apology and offered no compensation. They still refused after an Expedia rep called on our behalf. In my opinion, if they can’t host you at the booked location, they should cancel the booking instead of keeping the money and moving you to another property. Staff really didn’t seem to care that we hadn’t seen the message. If you book with them, check your junk mail carefully before you arrive.

Good access to public transport, restaurants and shops, and the apartment was very clean when we arrived. The bathroom and kitchen fittings are modern. It’s in a central part of Grünerløkka, but the rest of the stay had plenty of problems. The bedroom bed was awful. You can feel the springs, and with two people every small movement carries across the mattress. The apartment also isn’t set up for a longer stay with more than one person. There are basics like an ironing board and clothes rack, but not enough cutlery or plates if you’re cooking all your meals. Street noise comes through whether the windows are open or shut, and parties in the courtyard below happen often, even on weekdays. Sleeping at a reasonable hour was impossible. The smart TV apps gave errors, and there was no AirPlay or casting. Cleaning costs extra, even for longer stays. A vacuum is provided, but beyond dish soap there are no cleaning supplies, so it doesn’t feel much like a hotel. These apartments may suit a couple of nights, or people who go out every evening and aren’t bothered by noise. You might get lucky with a front facing unit that doesn’t look onto the courtyard. During our last week, construction started at 7 AM every day, and nobody told us beforehand.

Of the three Frogner apartments I’ve tried in Oslo, this one was my favorite. It’s in a hip area, with a grocery store around the corner, coffee shops, bars and restaurants nearby, plus a lake right behind the building and a couple of parks close by. The apartment is a good size and has a washing machine, a fridge with freezer, a nice bathroom and a TV. I’d recommend it.

We’ve been at Helgesens Gate for over six weeks. It’s okay in general, but there are lots of frustrations for a longer stay. The shower often has no hot water in the mornings. We pay for occasional cleaning, but they don’t replace even the small soap or shampoo bottles. The oven barely works, the door keys fail, and I’m constantly calling support. There’s no bathroom lock either.