Scandic Holmenkollen Park

Scandic Holmenkollen Park is Oslo's hillside hotel, set high above the city next to the forest of Nordmarka and a short walk from the Holmenkollen ski jump, the great landmark of Norwegian winter sport. It is a very different stay from the hotels in the city centre. Here the air is fresher, the views stretch down over the rooftops to the fjord, and the trails of the forest begin almost at the door. In winter the area is a hub for cross-country skiing, and in summer it is a base for walking, cycling and picnics. For a visitor who wants to combine the city with the outdoors, this is a rewarding choice, and it offers one of the most distinctive settings of any Oslo hotel. The hotel is large, with several hundred rooms, and that gives it a good choice of room types. Standard doubles and twins are comfortable and simple, with heated floors that are very welcome after a day outside in the cold. Superior rooms offer more space, family rooms can sleep four, and the junior suites and suites with king beds are suited to couples who want to treat themselves. Breakfast is available as a buffet for an additional charge. The hotel is pet friendly, with a modest fee per stay, and it has environmental certifications, which will appeal to travellers who like to choose greener places to stay. On site there is a restaurant and a bar, as well as a terrace and a garden for fine-weather afternoons. A health club is open throughout the day and night, and the front desk is staffed around the clock. Meeting rooms and a banquet hall make it a popular conference venue, so it is wise to check what events are on during your stay. Self parking is available for a daily charge, and there is an electric car charging point. There is free wifi in public areas. The sightseeing is on your doorstep. The Holmenkollen Ski Museum and the ski jump, with its viewing platform over the city and the fjord, are only a few minutes' walk, and the Holmenkollen chapel and traditional restaurants are close by. Nordmarka begins a minute away, with marked trails for walking in summer and prepared tracks for skiing in winter. The metro station at Holmenkollen is about six minutes on foot, and the line takes you down into the city centre in around half an hour, with fine views on the way, so you can see the main museums, the harbour and Karl Johan and be back in the hills for the evening. The airport is about an hour away by road. The hotel suits active travellers, families who want green space, couples who like quiet views and visitors who come for the ski jump or for events. It is less suitable if your plan is to go out for dinner and drinks in the centre each night, since the return journey takes time. Rates are moderate for the size and the setting, with the best value in the shoulder seasons, though winter weekends can be busy. Check when you book what breakfast and cancellation terms apply, and choose a room with a view if you can, since the outlook across the city is a highlight.