Norwegian Hotels - Worst Value for Money?

[Barondupon]

I had the joys of traveling to Skien in Norway for business. 36.5 hours door to door was concluded with booking into the best hotel (must be true tripadvisor said so - 1 of 6) in Skien. After checking in I went to my room to find the skinniest two beds I have ever seen (may have been narrower than the woeful Qantas J bed) and so returned to reception to request a bed wider than my hips.

In my new room I took a look around which did not take long at the room was 4m by 3m. Bathroom amenities consisted of a shower cap and a plastic cup. Soap delivered by dispensers bolted to the wall. Single ply, see through loo paper.

Apparently trust is an issue. Not only was the minibar fridge empty but there was no power cable, you had to get your own minibar supplies from front desk and leave a deposit for the power cable.

Food was at best adequate. No toaster, self cooked fried eggs and not even the usual array of three different types of herring.

The cost a mere $285 per night. I am writing this from the Adelaide Intercontinental where my RA status gives me a suite and free minibar (complete with cable). At a lower room rate per night. Riddle me that.

 

[Boris spatsky]

It's Norway - one of the most expensive countries in the world.

I bought a burger at TGI Fridays in Oslo last year for around $60 AUD. so what did you expect for a hotel for $285?

 

[drron]

And Australia is fast becoming the Norway of the southern hemisphere.
Travelling by car to DPO this time.Looked at staying at Bannisters at Mollymook and dinner at Rick Steins.But they wanted $350 for a tarted up motel room.At the SGS in BKK I get true 5 star experiences with an all up cost of $145 a night.

 

[Blackadder]

Anyone that relies on Tripadvisor, does so at their own risk.

 

[Robert Qld]

A friend who was in Oslo recently said it was 75kr (apx €10) for a small orange juice in a Oslo Maccas (though when bundled with a value meal it was slightly better). I guess we just have to dust off our platinum Amexs when visiting the land of the midnight sun!

(Having been to Zürich recently the prices where not that much better!)

 

[moa999]

Wow on the Oslo prices..
Presently in HK (one of Asia's more expensive cities, at least for accomodation).

Was surprised to see Maccas running specials on Medium Big Mac Meals - HKD 21 - about $2.60 (all the other burger meals are in the 30 range)

 

[Flashback]

I'm not sure where you guys have been, but I certainly didn't find Oslo as expensive as mentioned in the previous posts. Yes it was expensive, but not THAT expensive.

Also, when in the region try out the Scandic hotels ; I've stayed in quite a few throughout Norway & Sweden and have always found them rather decent, especially their breakfast!

 

[pyffii]

Last year we stayed at the Radisson Blu Oslo airport and found it reasonable value circa $240.00 with the accommodation clean and modern and breakfast more than adequate...we then stayed at the Stalheim Hotel Stalheim for a week whilst hiking the area and even though the rooms were dated and sparse they were clean,roomy and the showers were hot with full pressure but we had a stunning view and the wireless Internet worked well...the breakfasts were sensational as was dinner and both were buffets...the cost for full board was $280.00 and not that expensive when you add up all the features...but Norway is very expensive and a bus ride from Stalheim to the nearest town 20 minutes away was $56 return per person and a one day fishing license in the local lake was $200 ...ouch

 

[Solid]

Norway is expensive, but try going up to Port Hedland or Karratha and let me know how you find the value for money up there!

 

[elbarto]

A friend who was in Oslo recently said it was 75kr (apx €10) for a small orange juice in a Oslo Maccas (though when bundled with a value meal it was slightly better). I guess we just have to dust off our platinum Amexs when visiting the land of the midnight sun!

(Having been to Zürich recently the prices where not that much better!)

Neither is Stockholm or Copenhagen. I think the further north you go the worse it gets.

 

[Flashback]

Neither is Stockholm or Copenhagen. I think the further north you go the worse it gets.

I found Copenhagen the cheapest of the lot.

 

[Robert Qld]

I found Helsinki reasonably priced Scandinavia wise.

And if you count the pretences Estonia does to consider itself Scandinavian and not Baltic (which I heard from a couple of tour guides recently on Talinn) then it is super cheap.

Also, interesting article relating to this topic:
Most expensive cities in the world named
I guess Oslo really is number 1!