Grand Hotel - Oslo, Norway 

Grand Oslo -
Posted: Mon, Nov 23 2009
I recently stayed at Grand hotel Oslo, very nicely located, very nice old building and big spacious rooms. But beware : the hotel is situated near 2 night clubs and the music is so loud that we got awakened in the middle of the night by the bass... no kidding, we were several staying at the hotel in different rooms and we could all hear it from where we were. Maybe it's because it was a Thursday night, maybe from Monday - Wednesday it is quiet, I don't know, but I won't chance it again ! by the way, at the desk they are aware of the problem (as the man politely put it) but there isn't anything they can do, he said. well, they could provide ear plugs !

Not so Grand!
Posted: Sun, Nov 25 2007
I stayed here for 2 nights on business. I was expecting a certain level of accomodation given the price and nature of the hotel, but was disappointed. Overall, I thought that the hotel was run-down and in need of a re-vamp. My room was quite old fashioned - both in terms of the decor and the fittings. The facilities in the room were not great. There was no iron, safe deposit box, tea/coffee and the tv channels were not great. The room was way too hot and I couldn't turn down the heat - I had to resort to opening the window. It was clean, however and the staff were friendly enough. The gym was beign renovated, and they had transferred it to a converted bedroom. It was very poor - only one treadmill, a bike and a weights machine. There was no air conditioning and no tv/radio to keep you amused. The breakfast was tasty, served buffet style in the adjoining cafe bar - again not what I would expect from such a "grand" hotel, but it was fine overall. The location was very central, although I did notice some ladies sellign their trade very close by! I will not return to his hotel if I visit Olso again.

Perfect Location, Schizophrenic Rooms
Posted: Thu, Oct 04 2007
Perfect location, within easy walking distance to all tourist sites. Reception & concierge staff are knowledgeable, but understaffed and could certainly be more friendly and enthuisiastic. Rooms range from tiny, drab, rooms with very old furnishings to plush gorgeous newly renovated rooms, so you need to pretty insistent or be a VIP to get a 'good room'. While we were staying at the hotel, the Rolling Stones were also guests, as was an Arabian Shiek, but unlike the Hotel Kamp, which still managed to service the 'regular/non-VIP' guests, at the Grand Hotel the entire focus was on the VIPs and other guests' service was impaired... The breakfast (usually included in room rate) is fabulous. Booking far in advance through the hotel website can yield some bargain rates, so if you get a great rate that includes breakfast, and lower your expectations (or are willing to fight for a 'good' room), then you'll probably be satisfied, as the value proposition at most hotels in Oslo is not good compared to the rest of the World.