They had us at “mimosas served on elaborately designed cake trolleys.”
Hoping to say “skål” in Oslo this year?
Gear up for the opening of the Sommerro House, a landmarked building in the heart of Oslo that dates back to the 1930s, re-imagined as a luxury hotel. Slated to welcome guests in September 2022, the 231-room art deco hotel from Nordic Hotel & Resorts (a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts) will also have 56 branded residences. Featuring sweeping views of Norway’s capital city, Sommerro is housed in the former headquarters of Oslo Lysverker, the city’s original electrical company, and will pay homage to Norwegian cultural heritage.
“Sommerro will present a neighborhood vibe, a lesson in local culture and history, and a new perspective on dining and entertainment — a combination every traveler can appreciate,” Caroline Klein, chief communications officer of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, told GoTravelDaily, of what is said to be the country’s largest preservation project to date. “The hotel’s bedrooms also make this hotel especially unique, as twin rooms are quite rare in Europe and Sommerro is not only offering those but doing them differently – placing each bed in its own snug bolthole so friends traveling together can remain connected but with privacy,” she added. Rates start at $199 per night, including breakfast.
The hotel will feature four restaurants and three bars, a 100-seat gilded theatre, and the city’s first year-round rooftop pool, sauna, and terrace. The most exciting development, however, is Vestkantbadet, one of the few public baths in Norway. The Nordic Hotel & Resorts team is diligently working to revive the space and expand the baths into an 8,000-square-foot underground holistic health sanctuary. Here, guests, visitors, and locals will enjoy the restored Roman baths, a cold plunge pool, spa treatments, and a gym with an infrared sauna.
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The hotel’s design is being executed by local outfitter LPO Architects alongside New York- and London-based studio GrecoDeco. Art deco enthusiasts will appreciate details like oak parquet flooring, custom tilework in the bathrooms, and bespoke furnishings upholstered with 1930s Norwegian motifs. As a nod to the building’s heritage, guests will also find original artwork by celebrated Norwegian artist Per Krohg, such as a giant wall fresco and a ceiling mural showcasing life after the arrival of electricity.
Ready to embrace the excitement? Venture to Ekspedisjonshallen, an all-day dining venue located in the former hall where local residents once paid their electricity bills. Guests will be welcomed with regular DJ performances and a stylish bar under the watchful gaze of Krohg’s mural. Alternatively, indulge at Søstre, where you can relish afternoon tea sessions (or mimosas galore) served on elaborately designed cake trolleys with classical music concerts setting the ambience.
For those seeking traditional dining experiences, you can explore satellite locations of beloved local establishments Barramon, a Spanish tapas and wine bar, and Plah, one of the city’s most popular eateries featuring dishes from Norway’s “Best Thai Chef,” Terje Ommundsen. The hotel’s seventh floor will host Tak Oslo, a Nordic-Japanese restaurant by acclaimed Swedish chef Frida Ronge, which will emphasize hyper-local, seasonal dishes that make the most of Norwegian produce and seafood.
When you’re ready to venture beyond the hotel grounds, the Frogner neighborhood offers a plethora of museums, art galleries, antique shops, and restaurants waiting to be discovered. Additionally, you will be just steps away from Frogner Park, a celebrated green space, and the Vigeland Sculpture Park, which features approximately 200 sculptures crafted by the renowned Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland.
“Oslo is witnessing an emergence of thrilling cultural hubs like the Munch museum and the new National Museum (opening in June) — both less than a 15-minute walk away — so if visitors decide to seek entertainment off-site, numerous options are readily available,” noted Klein.
