Scandic Byporten, Oslo

Pros     

• Enjoy a modern Swedish-brand hotel with easy access to transportation, shopping, and major cultural attractions.
• Rooms have light interiors with wood-style floors and large windows, while upgraded options come with Nespresso machines and mini-fridges.
• There's a fitness center and outdoor terrace, and guests have access to a free breakfast buffet served at the hotel's neighboring restaurant.

Cons

• The hotel doesn't have a full bar or restaurant, though there are options within the mall and in the surrounding streets.

Authenticity

Scandic is a Swedish-owned hotel group and there are several properties in Oslo; this one opened in 2010 and takes up residence inside a modern shopping mall. The generous lobby space offers shelves of vintage books, as well as lounge seating and communal tables with outlets for working. You may hear a soft soundtrack of global artists like The National, while a seasonal outdoor terrace provides additional seating. In the evenings, guests are often found enjoying predinner drinks over a game of shuffleboard or catching up on e-mails.

Location

This is an excellent hotel for getting to public transportation and the airport express train, which is located less than 5 minutes away on foot. Shoppers will also appreciate that the hotel's location in the same building as the Byporten Shopping Center and across the street from the Oslo City Mall and Karl Johans gate. Cultural sites are also within easy reach: the Oslo Opera House and Munch Museum are less than a 10-minute walk away in the revitalized Bjørvika port district. Travelers with a car can use the on-site parking garage for a daily fee.

Rooms & Bathrooms

There are 230+ rooms in the hotel, though it feels more intimate than that. All categories have fresh, modern decor and conveniences like full-length mirrors, bedside outlets, an area for hanging clothes, and benches for luggage storage. Bathrooms have either walk-in showers or bathtubs and Stockholm-brand bath products (no conditioner though). Upgraded rooms may get Nespresso machines, mini-fridges, and possible fjord views. Family rooms have a double bed for adults and bunk beds for kids, while suites add pullout sofas.

Amenities

The free breakfast buffet takes place at the neighboring restaurant inside the shopping center, though you'll want to plan your time carefully to avoid the crowds. There's a nice spread that includes healthy and organic items. The hotel offers a "bar-ception" area with drinks and snacks for purchase, as well as indoor and outdoor seating. There's a fitness center on-site and close proximity to waterfront jogging trails along the nearby Oslofjord. You can also run along the Akerselva River near the hotel toward the hip neighborhood of Grünerløkka.

Family-Friendliness

Families are welcome at Scandic Byporten, though there are no specific amenities for children. Rooms are on the small side for most families, but the Standard Family manages to squeeze in two bunk beds alongside a queen, and the Junior Suite sleeps up to four with an extra sofabed. Children over 13 are charged as adults.

Sustainability

The hotel has a Nordic Swan Ecolabel and meets strict requirements for sustainability, working to reduce the environmental impact of the production and consumption of goods. Along with eco-friendly bath products, guests are encouraged to reuse their towels and drink tap water instead of bottled.