- Introduction: Oslo In Winter
- Review: United “Polaris” Business Class 787 Houston To Frankfurt
- Review: Lufthansa Senator Lounge Frankfurt Airport Terminal A
- Review: Lufthansa A321 Business Class Frankfurt To Oslo
- Review: Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
- Review: SAS Museum Oslo Airport
- Review: Clarion Collection Hotel Folketeateret Oslo
- How To Sled Oslo’s Korketrekkeren Like A Boss
- Review: Clarion Collection Hotel Bastion Oslo
- 10 Things To Do With Kids In Oslo
- Review: Radisson Blu Oslo Airport
- Review: SAS Lounge Oslo Airport
- Review: SAS Plus Oslo To London Heathrow On A 737
- Review: United Club London Heathrow
- Review: United Polaris Lounge Chicago
Given our relatively late arrival into Oslo, we decided to stay at the airport the first night. I’m sure we could have headed into the city, but with three tired kiddos this seemed like a good option. And the Oslo airport has two very convenient hotels — you can walk to both the Park Inn by Radisson Oslo Airport and the Radisson Blu Oslo Airport.
We chose the Park Inn for this night because it was a bit cheaper. In reality, you can’t go wrong with either one.
Getting to the Park Inn is really easy since you just exit the terminal on the arrivals level and turn left. There are plenty of signs confirming that you are going the right way and you never even have to cross a street. If it’s winter, you might want to walk to the end of the arrivals level before exiting.
After you get past the terminal, the walkway turns into a mostly enclosed glass tunnel that protects you from the elements. Note that the tunnel forks at one point and you want to go right for the Park Inn.
Covered Walkway to Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
The entire walk takes maybe 5 minutes from the time you exit the terminal which is probably twice as long as the walk to the Radisson Blu. But it was no big deal for us, even in the winter.
Covered Walkway to Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
Somewhat annoyingly, the tunnel ends before you get to the door of the Park Inn so you will have to walk outside for maybe a hundred feet or so. We brought our luggage cart the entire way, which seems like a common thing to do, as there is a massive cart repository outside the Park Inn.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
It’s a big hotel and appears even bigger because of the attached office building/conference center. The Park Inn has its own conference center, so I’m not sure what this other building is. The exterior of the hotel is stylish with lots of seemingly random shapes sticking out.
We went in to check-in and were quickly assisted.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
The lobby was very spacious which gave our kids (too much) space to run around and get in trouble.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
The check-in agent informed me that we had been upgraded due to my Club Carlson Gold status.
We headed to our room which was at the far end of the hallway.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
I’m not sure what type of room she said it was, but it was big. The floorplan showed that it was about twice the size of a standard room. For our family, it was perfect.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Floorplan
The room was somewhat L-shaped such that we walked in and then turned right towards the bed. The entire room had hardwood flooring, which is nice to look at, but not that cozy.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
You can just see the red curtain in the picture above. It could be used to sort of divide the room.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
There were a couple of tables and chairs in addition to a desk. And a sitting chair. Despite looking like an Ikea showroom, the room didn’t feel cluttered at all. It was really that big.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
I think my kids may have jumped on the bed before I was able to take a picture. Also note the curtains in the background — the entire wall is not made of glass, though there is a window there.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
The frame around the headboard of the bed had colored lights which you could control to match your mood. My kids got a kick out of that.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
They also brought us an extra bed, which they didn’t charge us for. I think the official Club Carlson policy is that kids 12 and under stay free in existing bedding. So this was a nice touch.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
The room had a portable heater as well, because Norway in the winter. That said, the room was perfectly comfortable without it. The windows also opened which is another feature I like.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Portable Heater
There was a cool coat tree outside the bathroom
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Coat Tree
The bathroom was a little funky with the shower stall being a curved glass wall. It worked fine though, and there was plenty of space.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Bathroom
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Bathroom
The one bothersome aspect of the room was that it smelled of Jet-A, even though we never opened the windows. There was never an issue with noise from the airport, just the smell. I’m guessing that perhaps the inputs for the building ventilation systems are on the airport side of the building? Anyway, we got used to it, but it was a little annoying at first and I probably wouldn’t want to spend a week there because of it.
A colossal fruit plate was delivered as a welcome amenity. I’m not sure the picture conveys just how huge it is. Given Norway prices, there might have been $25 worth of fruit there!
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Welcome Amenity
We headed out to explore the hotel. The RBG Bar and Grill is on the main floor behind the sweeping spiral staircase. There wasn’t much activity when we went by.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport RBG Bar And Grill
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport RBG Bar And Grill
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Restaurant
The hotel has a lot of meeting rooms so there is a lot of space to wander around in. We discovered that they had Pure still and sparkling water on tap.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
I helped myself to a few glasses, and later brought our pitcher down from the room to fill it up.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
Perhaps our favorite feature of this hotel is the playroom for the kids. Our kids played with some Norwegian boys who showed up.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Play Room
If the door is locked, just ask at the desk for them to open it. I wish more hotels had something like this.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Play Room
The Park Inn has a small fitness center.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Fitness Center
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Fitness Center
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Fitness Center
We actually walked back to the airport to pick up a sandwich because the prices at the Park Inn restaurant were kind of crazy. I’m sure the classic burger is wonderful, but for roughly $36 we decided to pass.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport
Breakfast was included with our room and was served in the restaurant which is behind the RBG bar.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Breakfast
There were a variety of hot and cold items, a yogurt bar, and breads. It was impressive.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Breakfast
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Breakfast
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Breakfast
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Breakfast
They also had a waffle maker which made huge and incredibly addictive waffles.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Breakfast
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Breakfast
After breakfast, we headed back to the airport to catch the NSB train into the city.
Park Inn By Radisson Oslo Airport Bottom Line
The Park Inn by Radisson Oslo Airport is a perfectly fine hotel for a quick overnight at the Oslo Airport. The location is fantastic, just a short walk down the covered walkway — you don’t even have to cross a street, unlike at the nearby Radisson Blu — and the service was warm and friendly.
The Park Inn and Radisson Blu are so similar that you really can’t go wrong with either, but for those with kids and the slightly cheaper rate, the existence of the playroom might be enough to tip the scales in favor of this property.
@am13, thanks! This is awesome. Plus, I was accidentally converting Danish Krones to get $450. Appreciate the tips.
I had a 1 night stay there in 2015 and had a totally different experience. Gold status not recognized, no upgrade, no fruit plate, room in the back of the first floor with no window, just a curtain across the wall. The red curtain hanging near the bed had suspicious stains on it as well. And the curved shower door doesn't go all the way to the floor or enclose the shower, so water flooded...
I had a 1 night stay there in 2015 and had a totally different experience. Gold status not recognized, no upgrade, no fruit plate, room in the back of the first floor with no window, just a curtain across the wall. The red curtain hanging near the bed had suspicious stains on it as well. And the curved shower door doesn't go all the way to the floor or enclose the shower, so water flooded the entire bathroom floor. I would try the Blu next time.
The breakfast buffet was nice though.
@Mark F - Priceline, Booking.com, and Agoda are all showing $244/night + tax = $269 for a standard room on May 31. This is a bit lower 2795 NOK ($336 USD) rate they are showing direct through Carlson Rezidor. If you check the T&C, in theory, you should be able to file a best rate guarantee claim which would allow you to book through Carlson Rezidor, get a price match + 25% off the lower rate bringing the price down to $183 + tax for your stay.
Our rate was a little over $100. For the dates I was looking at (all in the winter), the Park Inn and Radisson Blu had similar rates, with the Park Inn just a bit cheaper. We spent a night at the Radisson Blu the night before we left, so I'll have that review shortly. Both are great hotels.
Thanks Travis. Great timing for me as well. Staying there in May. I think I am paying a bit more than $100 but definitely less than $200. 23 1/2 hours between flights (worked hard to keep it under 24 to fit within Star Alliance layover rules).
Regards from the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen--if you haven't been there with the kids yet, they'd like it.
@ Bill thanks. It must be the date (May 31) as several hotels in the area were sold out. Park Inn is now quoting $450 a night. $100 or so would have been a no brainer choice.
Thanks for the timely review Travis! We're staying there next week. @ Mark F, our rate was around $100
Excellent, very descriptive review! Thank you.
I am wondering what your rate was. I am getting quotes of over $400 a night at either attached property for a layover night in late May. I found a room at the Scandic OSL near the airport for around $200. Thanks for the review.