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Grand Hotel – reviews, photos

5.0 of 5
Karl Johans Gate 31, Oslo NO-0159, Norway
Hotel amenities
Grand Hotel
Ranked #16 of 87 hotels in Oslo
4.0 of 5 stars 593 Reviews
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593 reviews from our community

What travellers say about this hotel
  • Very nice(9)
  • Room rate(5)
  • Karl Johans Gate(3)
  • Breakfast buffet(3)
  • Train station(3)
Traveller rating
    211
    193
    112
    51
    26
Only show reviews for Family (30) | Couples (89) | Business (88)
Date Rating
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
“Grand location, rooms and service.”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 January 2012

We booked a special deal and got a comparatively good rate (under $170AUD) for the Grand. A 10min easy walk from the train station, even for someone as unfit as me, and right in the centre of Oslo.

After checking in, one of the staff insisted on taking our bags and had a good chat to us as we went to our room. Once we got there he explained how to use everything, how to access the wifi etc. Being Australian I didn't know if I should tip, but before I could even consider it he wished us a great stay and was gone.

The breakfast in the Grand Cafe was great and the staff friendly and efficient (hey, Perth, you could learn a few lessons). We would often not need lunch after sampling the breakfast buffet. A great budget saver in expensive Norway.

The hotel is undergoing some work and I caught a glimpse of some of the newer rooms and they were very modern and nice. Our room was good, though the bathroom was looking a bit dated if I was to be picky. The bed was huge. At 6'5'', it was something I appreciated.

The only downside, other than Norwegian prices, was the occasional smell of cigarette smoke. I understand there are still smoking rooms and in the evening we could smell smoke coming through the aircon. It didnt last all night, but was a bit of shock coming from a country were smoking is banned in all indoor areas.

  • Stayed January 2012
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Kristiansand
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Lives up to its name”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 January 2012

Stayed here on a businnes trip in January and it was a nice experience. My room was on the 5th floor, facing Rosenkrantz gate, and there was no noise from that side. Relatively spacious room with all amenities I could ask for, and it was kept very clean. Good, free wifi.
The location is excellent, just a short walk away from the main train station.

  • Stayed January 2012, travelled on business
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Europe
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
“Great reputation, but doesn't quite deliver.”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 January 2012

The Grand is the "Old Lady" of Oslo hotels. It has a great reputation and bags of history. It is set in what is just about the best spot in town, a nice park on Karl Johan Gt (Oslos Main street) right opposite the parliment buildings and in sight of the Royal Palace. The main train station is a short walk up the street and with the fast train, you can leave your room and be in the airport in well under an hour.

The service was good, even at a busy time. I stayed December 31st - January 1st. (New Years eve 2011). The hotel itself appears to be very well presented, with huge paintings, mirrors, ect in the hallways, all very "Grand". The rooms are a little less grand. I was in a room on the Ladies floor (for some reason) and I would certainly have prefered not to be. The room was clean but the decor was odd. The only way I can really adequately decribe it is to say it seemed to have been decorated by a color-blind 4 year old with an Ikea obsession. I had booked a Superior double room and was less than impressed. On the other hand, positives for the room were an excellent bathroom and a very well stocked minibar.
I would also add to other reviewers comments here that I agree with. The Ladies floor is a fair old hike to the lifts. But it gives you plenty of time to appreciate the fancy corridors.

Can't really comment on any of the other hotel facilities as (surprisingly for me) EVERYTHING was closed in the hotel. Upstairs bar, closed. Downstairs bar, closed. Gym, closed. Pool, closed. Bar downstairs by the lobby? Open, but when I went in, they said no drinks!. There is no excuse for this from a top-class hotel. It was a big disappointment.

We had the New Years dinner in the Grand Cafe in the building, but apparently this is not part of the hotel so it would be unfair to comment on it here.

My overall rating for this hotel I think would probably have been a 3 had it not been for the fact that I consider what I paid for the room rate to be very good value (considering the prices of nearby alternatives). And I booked through the front desk too, no special deal, no cut-price website.

I wasn't entirely happy with my stay here, but I would probably give it another go next time I need an Oslo overnight stop.

  • Stayed December 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
1 review
“Not worth the money”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 January 2012

I stayed at this hotel whilst on a business trip in January and must say my experience was not pleasant. No towels in my room the first night. My room was in the center near the ventilation units which were very loud and kept me awake. They also had several events over the weekend which involved bands so the music could be heard on the 4th floor. I should have know something was up when I received ear plugs in my room.

  • Stayed January 2012, travelled on business
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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Tromso, Norway
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
“Old style in a good way, superb service!”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 January 2012

The room was nice and clean. Renowated bathroom.
I had a singel room with a queen sized bed.
There was some renovating work at the hotel, but it was told you by check-in and it was from 10 in the morning till 18 in the evening.
The service was very good, handed in some clothes and got them back the day after, nice and clean. I also had much stuff with me, and all was carried to my room, and from my room into the taxi.

A good old one, this is service like it shold be all over the world.

Room Tip: I think every room at this hotel is good!
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  • Stayed January 2012, travelled on business
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Additional Information about Grand Hotel

Karl Johans Gate 31, Oslo NO-0159, Norway
Price range (per night):* INR9,410 - 28,005

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