We're planning on spending three of four nights in Oslo before our Norwegian fjords/Midnight Sun cruise next July. The Regent price for hotels seems very high. Does anyone have any suggestions? We plan on getting an Oslo card, and using it to go all around Oslo. Thanks.

Prices don't "seem" high they ARE HIGH! Check priceline or other bargain hotel sites. You are bound to find better prices!

oslo has always been high
but if you book on line with hotels.com/expedia
guaranteed better price than hotel direct
my staff use to go daily to train station to book a hotel
which again is much cheaper but being on a cruise not an option


good luck

We appreciate the comments. Our only problem is that we've never used sites such as Priceline and Expedia. Isn't the selection on Priceline blind, so you don't know what hotel you have until you've booked it? Are the hotels cancellable, as they are when you book directly? Thanks.

Are there any particularly good hotels to look for? We'd like a hotel that feels Norwegian, not American; but we would not like a tiny room, a bed smaller than a queen, or a bathroom "down the hall" rather than in the room.

Joanandjoe. Before I ever make a bid on Priceline with the "name your own price" system (all reservations are blind, non-refundable, charged on the spot, so you have to be sure), I always go to www.biddingfortravel.com to see what hotels are offered in what areas of the city, and what star-rating. If I would be happy with any of them, then I bid according to where I want to be, and the rating.

In the higher star ratings, as you can understand, most are American chains such as Marriott, Sheraton, Hilton, the Intercontinental Group, and many others. To get some of the higher star ratings, they must offer things you may not even want or need, like 24 hour room service, restaurants and bars on site, business services, whatever.

There are currently no hotels in Oslo that I see on that site, so likely not a good idea if you would risk being disappointed. My Norwegian Fjords trips have started in Iceland, and I think Copenhagen, both several years ago. I did my research on my on, on-line, and loved both hotels. Once you find a hotel you like, you google it, and find the best price. I just see no reason to book directly with the hotel when I can save by spending a little time searching if the result is substantially better, and the location the same.

Many times, I've been alerted to "deals" through this board from friends I am traveling with, who are on the same cruise.

I suggest you start by going to Trip Advisor, or googling "best Oslo Hotels" and go from there.

The best fit for us, based on travel guides and Trip advisor, seems to be smoke free hotels such as the Bristol and the various Clarion Collection hotels, including Bastion, Savoy, Gabelshuis, and Royal Christiana. Does anyone have any experience with any of these hotels?