Last updated: June 03, 2024
If the devil is in the detail, then Sommerro is smoking hot. Wes Anderson meets The Great Gatsby in the heart of old-money-turned-hip Frogner, one of Oslo’s oldest neighbourhoods. All polished parquet, sensual curves and plush furnishings, this Art Deco gem truly is a feast for all the senses.
Close to the capital’s top attractions and a two-minute walk from the local train station (with a speedy connection to the airport), this 231-room hotel occupies the former headquarters of Oslo’s original electrical company, a landmark 1930s building and now Norway’s largest preservation project.
From the moment you step through its exquisite entrance, a stay at Sommerro is like travelling into a bygone age, from the sweeping staircase to the gentle accompaniment of 1920s crooners in the lift.
My deluxe room came with all the usual comforts plus a few extra, from the practical to the purely aesthetic: beautiful bathrobes, coffee pods, Marshall radio, a Bakelite phone and masses of wardrobe space. Floor to ceiling windows complemented a myriad of gorgeous lighting fixtures and a small seating area featured a selection of coffee table books including one on the art of sleep. Not a problem in this room.
The bathroom (or should I say bathrooms) included three separate spaces: a toilet, large rainfall shower and a sink/vanity area, all surrounded by a sleek explosion of beige, black and chrome. There really isn’t one bit of this hotel that isn’t pleasing to the eye.
I’d have been happy to spend the evening in my peach hued chamber, but dinner and people-watching beckoned in the stunning Ekspedisjonshallen. The Sunday lunch jazz crowd had cleared, replaced with an eclectic but stylish bunch attired in everything from ballgowns to baseball caps. This grand, ground-floor hall where people once paid their electricity bills has been replaced with a suitably electric atmosphere.
So much more than a hotel restaurant and bar, Ekspedisjonshalle is a destination where the great and the good of Oslo go to see and be seen. Clean lines, low level lighting and buttery leather provided the perfect backdrop for Charcuterie and an ice-cold Martini at the bar, before moving to a cosy booth for dinner. Our table was tucked underneath an imposing fresco by Norwegian artist Per Krohg, an original work depicting electricity and its importance to the city.
A slick and friendly team delivered food from a small but perfectly formed French-inspired menu. Sourdough bread with whipped butter, creamy steak tartare and warm goat’s cheese with a zingy pomegranate salad were washed down with a deliciously light Crémant. The tender Dry-Aged Black Angus paired perfectly with a smooth Argentinian Malbec, leaving just enough room for Yogurt Vanilla Parfait and a rich Chocolate Tart.
Breakfast the next morning felt equally special. Think silverware, bone china and crisp cotton elegance. A la carte options included Eggs Benedict and Belgian Waffles in addition to an eye-watering buffet with an almost overwhelming choice of pastries, granolas, meats and cheeses.
This landmark hotel also features an impressive wellness space (including the restored public baths and a stylish rooftop pool), four restaurants, three bars, event spaces and a 200-seat theatre. I fully imagine you could stay for a week and never leave. And with its chic opulence combined with a warm Nordic welcome, you might never want to.
Sommerro is a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts’ prestigious Legend Collection, rates start from £215 per room per night. www.preferredhotels.com
