Hotel Bristol

We picked Hotel Bristol for breakfast because of its reputation and award for Oslo’s Best Breakfast, but the meal didn’t live up to that at all. At 400 NOK per person, both the selection and quality felt underwhelming and not worth the price. We’ve had better hotel breakfasts in Oslo, including at Clarion, for less money and noticeably better value. Since this was meant as a birthday gift, the disappointment hit harder. I’m sharing this to help future guests decide. Unfortunately, they won’t consider any kind of compensation if your experience is bad.

The room felt old, and smelled of dust and aging furniture. Service also fell far short of what I remembered from this once elegant Oslo hotel, especially its reputation for good food and attentive staff. I raised some problems with the GM and got the most unprofessional response I’ve encountered in over 30 years of travelling. Other reviews suggest guests being gaslit over complaints may not be unusual here. Look elsewhere.

It was quiet, especially with a room facing the inner courtyard, and the front desk helpfully asked about that at check-in. I liked the distinctive touches and service compared with the usual modern hotel, and the central spot is handy for walking around Oslo. A few things could be better: the standard pillows are extremely soft, the breakfast room feels small for the hotel and could use more tables for solo or business guests, and the bathroom floor heating was almost burning hot.

The food has slipped badly over the past year, including what is somehow now the worst ribbe in Norway. Rooms are often not clean, and management seems to have deep contempt for guests. This used to be a great property, but things have gone downhill dramatically. At a similar price, I’d recommend Scandic Grand Hotel instead.