Scandic Helsfyr

The birthday surprise from the staff was a lovely touch: after we mentioned the occasion, they upgraded our room and left fruit, biscuits and cake. They were kind and helpful throughout, and the hotel felt like good value. Getting into Oslo was easy, with tube stations and buses nearby, and the football stadium right next door was a bonus. We slept really well in the large, comfortable beds, with great pillows and cosy duvets. The spacious modern room had floor to ceiling windows, one of which opened for fresh air, plus artwork, soft lighting, a sofa and coffee table. There was also a large TV, safe, iron and a mini fridge, though the fridge was too tiny to keep food or drinks properly. Heating worked well, and the bathroom floor heating was especially nice in cold weather. Shower gel, shampoo, shaving ports and a hairdryer were provided. Downstairs, the restaurant served buffet breakfast and dinner. Breakfast was about £12, which seemed fair. There was also a bar, a small shop for snacks, drinks and amenities, maps and leaflets, luggage storage, a small gym and lots of shared space. Paid parking was available on site. A few things let the stay down. The bathroom looked dated and grubby in places, despite the modern room, and the shower was small with weak water pressure. The TV had few channels, and neither Netflix nor screen mirroring worked. Corridors looked old, with worn carpets, doors and walls, and one lift was out of service. There was no proper wardrobe, just small hanging rails. The area around the hotel was still mostly under construction, with little nearby. Even so, the comfort, service and price made us happy to stay again.