Voksenasen Hotell, BW Signature Collection

There’s plenty of snow through the winter, and it’s close to skiing. The property is a real change from the usual cookie-cutter hotels, with a fascinating history: it was a gift to Sweden for helping Norway in WW2.

The breakfast buffet was a real standout, with lots of choice and fresh, high-quality food. The lobby and shared spaces are lovely too, modern and welcoming enough to give a luxury first impression. The rooms are clean and functional, but much smaller and plainer than the elegant hall. There’s no elevator, which could be a hassle with heavy bags or mobility issues. The hotel is just outside Oslo in a quiet, green, scenic spot, away from the city bustle. It’s still only a ten-minute walk to the nearest metro, with a ride of just a few minutes into downtown. I had a good stay overall, and it suits travelers looking for calm surroundings and easy access to the city, as long as they’re okay with a few compromises.

The breakfast was poor, with little variety, and the service throughout our stay felt unprofessional. When we arrived, they tried to put us in a much smaller room than the one we’d booked and paid for. The room was tiny, and its sink leaked and filled up with water. We asked for the room we had reserved, but they initially refused and argued with us. They also wouldn’t call the manager at first. After a long dispute, and after we insisted on either a refund or the correct room, they finally gave us the room we’d booked. It felt like they were hoping we wouldn’t notice they were offering something cheaper. The whole stay was stressful, and I wouldn’t recommend this hotel.

The views kept changing and were absolutely spectacular, and we loved the food and breakfasts with their huge selection. Staff were awesome, and there are a couple of nice walking trails nearby. Getting to Oslo was easy with the train close by. We liked it so much that we extended our stay, and we’d definitely come back for another holiday.