[Oslo] Best hotels for tourists: where should you stay for a first visit (city centre vs near the airport)?

[EIA_Ask_NO]

I’d love to turn this into one practical thread for anyone searching best hotels in Oslo city centre or hotels in Oslo near airport.
The goal: real advice about neighborhoods, comfort, and value — not just star ratings.

Please share:

• The hotel you’d recommend and why (location, breakfast, rooms, service)
• Any “avoid” warnings (noise, tiny rooms, bad value)
• Tips for first-timers: what area feels easiest for sightseeing

If a friend visits for the first time, where do you tell them to stay — and what’s the #1 thing to prioritize (location, comfort, budget, breakfast)?

 

[ViolettaPetrovna]

For a first visit, I always steer people toward the best hotels in Oslo city centre, because waking up walkable to sights beats shaving ten minutes off a commute. My bold claim is that staying near the airport is a waste of time unless you have a brutal early flight or a one-night layover. From what I’ve seen, areas around the central station or slightly west feel easiest for sightseeing, food, and just getting a feel for the city. but there’s a nuance… some hotels in Oslo near airport are genuinely comfortable and quiet, so they make sense if comfort and sleep matter more than atmosphere. I’d personally avoid places right on the busiest streets if you’re a light sleeper, since traffic noise can sneak up on you. For first-timers, I think location beats room size or even breakfast, because you’ll be out exploring most of the day anyway. Would you rather optimize for convenience or calm on your first trip? And has anyone actually loved staying near the airport more than the city centre?

 

[Alex Turner]

Totally agree with you on this. For a first trip, staying in the city center just makes everything easier and more fun. I’ve done the airport hotel thing once, and yeah, the room was comfy and quiet, but it felt like hitting pause on the trip every time I had to commute in and out. Being near Oslo S, Grünerløkka, or even Aker Brygge means you can walk to food, museums, and just soak up the city without planning your day around trains. Airport hotels only make sense to me for a super early flight or a one-night stop. Otherwise, I’d always trade a slightly smaller room for a better location. How many days are you in Oslo, and are you planning more city sightseeing or day trips out of town?