Best Boutique Hotels in Oslo - Part 1: Amerikalinjen

Location

If you’re looking to be centrally located among the hustle and bustle of Oslo, this is the place for you. The hotel looks out over Jerbanetorget, which is a main thoroughfare for pedestrians and vehicles alike. Plus, you can essentially get anywhere in the city from Oslo S on public transport, which is right across the street. Just a five to ten-minute walk will take you down toward the beautiful public library and Oslo’s Opera House by the waterfront. The famous Munch Museum is only another couple of minutes further in that same direction.

You’re also across the street from the start of Karl Johans Gate, which is the main pedestrian street in Oslo lined with boutiques, designer shops and cafes. Also located on Karl Johans Gate is the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget in Norwegian) and the Royal Palace (Det Kongelige Slott) is located at the far end of the street.

Getting to the Amerikalinjen is also very convenient from Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport (OSL). There are several trains that go from OSL to Oslo S and take about 25 minutes. You can purchase tickets at the kiosks inside the terminal at OSL and access the train platform from inside the terminal as well.

Room Categories

The rooms all carry the nautical theme of the original Norwegian-American Line and are all individually furnished. Each room is elegantly decorated with unique crown molding on the ceilings, classic herringbone wood flooring, mosaic tiled bathrooms and custom crafted Norwegian designed lighting from Birger Dahl and Hadeland Glassverk. The designers have struck a fantastic balance of coziness and refinement which creates a place to relax and unwind after a day of being out in the city. The rooms on the whole may be on the smaller side for some standards, but very much in line with European style. The room categories for rooms are: Standard, Superior, and Deluxe, with the suites being the Fortuna Suite and the Triton Suite.

My personal favorite rooms are the Superior Room and the Fortuna Suite. The Superior Rooms have a great layout and better size compared to the Standard Room, especially if you’re traveling with a few pieces of luggage. While the Fortuna Suite is truly a step above. The Fortuna Suites are adorned with a soaking tub, expansive bathroom and a separate sitting area. Some even have balconies, which in my opinion is a must if one is available! These suites also have additional original details incorporated in their design that you won’t find in the other room categories, which enhances the feeling of the heritage that Amerikalinjen embraces.

Note: There are possibilities for connecting rooms. However, there are not any standard room to standard room connecting options. You would have to pair a standard room with a higher room category – subject to availability.

Property Amenities

There are some fantastic and unique amenities that I absolutely love about this property. First off, breakfast. Served in the Atlas Brasserie/Café just off the lobby, the Amerikalinjen breakfast is quite literally award winning. They offer an expansive buffet selection featuring both cold and hot items, as well as an a la carte menu should you prefer. The menu is Norwegian/American inspired, fitting with the overall theme. Think bagels and lox, scrambled eggs and bacon, and cold smoked local haddock (just to name a few things). I’ve had the personal pleasure of trying this spread for myself and it does not disappoint!

Downstairs you’ll find the gym and spa area. The gym is excellent for a hotel gym and has everything you need, including barbells and a squat rack. The spa area is also lovely, but full disclosure, it is not a full-service spa. There is a Finnish sauna and two heated spa reclining lounges for relaxation, but you won’t find any massage or skin treatments on site.

Also located in the basement is an intimate New York City inspired jazz club named Gustav (after the previously mentioned CEO of Den Norske Amerikalinjen – Gustav Henriksen). The club hosts weekly concerts every Friday and Saturday nights (except during the summer months and during the festive period). You can buy tickets and see upcoming concerts here.

Last, but certainly not least is Pier 42. A multi-award-winning cocktail bar located just above Gustav on the ground level, boasting the Global Bartender of the Year for 2022 - Adrian Michalcik. Pier 42, named after the iconic Pier 42 in New York City, has won several awards for not only the best bar overall in Norway, but best cocktail program and best team as well. Two stand out experiences offered by Pier 42 are their Liquid Gallery of Art experience and their “floating bartender.” The Liquid Gallery of Art takes its inspiration from some of the best examples of Norwegian and American paintings, like Edvard Munch’s, “The Scream,” and puts them into cocktail form. While the “floating bartender,” gives you the flexibility to have Pier 42’s incredible cocktails in your room, or perhaps even in Gustav Henriksen’s office for a truly authentic experience (thank me later!).

I highly recommend The Amerikalinjen Hotel to my clients looking for a centrally located and vibrant place to stay while in Oslo who want to be in the middle of the action. I think this property is perfect for solo travelers and couples, especially if you love jazz and a good cocktail.

Stay tuned for part two of The Best Boutique Hotels in Oslo series OR reach out to me and let's start planning your perfect Norwegian Adventure!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Oslo. In need of further inspiration? Check out Gabrielle Brechner’s guide, Culture & Cool in Oslo, Norway.