Book Hotel Continental Oslo with VIP Benefits

The hotel and Theatercaféen opened together in December 1900, a year after the National Theatre across the street. Caroline Boman and Christian Hansen took over the lease in 1909 and bought the business three years later. Both had worked in hospitality, she as a cook and he as a waiter. Their descendants continued the business, with fourth-generation owner Elisabeth Caroline Brochmann carrying the family tradition forward. Hotel Continental is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.

Art is woven through the hotel. Sculptures stand at the entrance, selected rooms contain glass art, and antiques share space with modern paintings and prints. The collection includes works by Norwegian artists alongside international names such as Julian Opie and Damien Hirst. It reflects several generations of collecting, with graphic works, photography, and painting represented across the property. This cultural connection began with the actors and artists who made Theatercaféen their regular meeting place.

The hotel has 151 rooms and suites, each with its own combination of colors, textiles, and artwork. Layouts and sizes vary within categories. Standard Single rooms average 18 square meters and have a queen-size bed, a desk by the window, and a bathroom with either a bathtub or shower. A wardrobe provides storage, while the window-side desk gives solo guests a place to work.

Deluxe rooms average 32 square meters, with a seating area and desk. Bedding can be a king or twin beds placed beside each other. A limited number connect through an internal door, accommodating a family of up to five across the pair. Some individual Deluxe rooms and Junior Suites can take a third person, while cribs are available on request. There is no dedicated family-room category, so the required combination needs confirmation with the hotel.

The Junior Suites above Theatercaféen occupy the original building. They average 48 square meters, with extra ceiling height, a king bed, and balconies facing the National Theatre. Their bathrooms have both a bathtub and a separate shower. These are a specific category within the junior-suite selection; a balcony is not a feature of every Junior Suite. The rooms' individual decor and higher ceilings preserve the character of this older part of the hotel.

The Abel Suite is a corner suite overlooking the Oslofjord, named for mathematician Niels Henrik Abel. An entrance hall leads to a living room with a dining table and desk, while the bedroom has its own wardrobe and a bathroom with a freestanding tub. An adjoining Superior room can be added through a private corridor. Elsewhere, the Royal Suite faces the Royal Palace and its park, while the top-floor Boman Suite has a balcony with city views.

The Continental Suite occupies two floors and measures 200 square meters, increasing to 240 square meters when an adjoining Junior Suite is added. Downstairs are the kitchen, dining area, lounge, guest toilet, and private fitness room. A staircase leads to another living room and the main bedroom above. Two private terraces open toward the fjord and city. The upper lounge has a fireplace and grand piano, while the marble bathroom contains a steam bath, rain shower, and separate tub. The suite also has its own entrance and elevator access.

Theatercaféen remains a central part of the hotel. Its classic dining room has long drawn writers, actors, musicians, and other Oslo regulars. Portraits on the walls record that history: Caroline Boman Hansen bought the first group from painter Henrik Lund, who had drawn his café friends. The collection includes 86 portraits. Lunch and dinner menus combine familiar dishes with contemporary touches, and a bar counter provides seating for solo diners. A private dining room accommodates larger gatherings.

Eik Annen Etage serves three-, four-, or five-course meals built around the ingredients available to the kitchen. The selection changes regularly, with wine pairings available alongside classic dishes. There is also a bar for a drink without a full dinner, and a private room for up to 19 guests.

At Bar Boman, coffee and lunch lead into cocktails later in the day. Named for Caroline Boman, the lobby bar houses the hotel's collection of Edvard Munch prints. Arne Boman Hansen bought twelve prints from an Oslo art dealer in 1932, establishing a collection that remains part of the hotel. The bar operates on a walk-in basis, and outdoor seating adds another setting in summer.

Casbar is the informal bar and pizzeria on the Olav Vs gate side of the building. It serves pizza and cocktails without table reservations. Its pizzas can also be ordered through the hotel's room-service menu. This gives guests a casual meal in the same building as the more formal restaurants, with a street-facing address of its own.

Breakfast is served in Caroline, with a buffet and an à la carte menu. Windows look toward the street life around the National Theatre. The room welcomes outside guests as well as residents and can also be used for private lunches and dinners. An express breakfast can be arranged, with advance requests needed for weekends.

The 50-square-meter Fitness Studio is open around the clock for hotel guests, and personal training can be arranged in advance. Room service also operates 24 hours, with different daytime, dinner, and overnight menus. These are practical facilities for a city stay, especially with an early departure or a late arrival. The private gym and steam bath described in the Continental Suite belong to that accommodation, rather than to a shared hotel spa.

The Royal Palace and Parliament are within walking distance, and the route toward Aker Brygge leads to the waterfront and onward to Tjuvholmen. Nationaltheatret station gives access to trains and the metro, with trams and buses nearby. From this address, a day can move between the palace gardens, central shops, and the harbor without requiring a car for each stop.

Flytoget airport trains serving Nationaltheatret take about 27 minutes from Oslo Airport Gardermoen; the station is around 100 meters from the hotel. The hotel's road-transfer estimate is approximately 50 minutes, depending on traffic. A private car can be arranged through the concierge. Garage parking is limited and must be reserved in advance, with car-care services available through the garage operator. Arrival by rail brings guests almost to the hotel's entrance.