Functionalist Art Deco masterpiece with youthful vibe in downtown Oslo

Hotel Sommerro / Oslo / Norway

Swedes and Norwegians have a special kind of relationship, especially when it comes to sports. So that is why it is always a challenge for me to admit when our Norwegian friends outperform us. But when it comes to Sommerro, I just have to surrender. This hotel is a masterpiece. Let me tell you why.

This bare brick building by architects Bjercke & Eliassen date back to 1932 and used to be the head office of Oslo Lysverker, the local electrical company. It is sitting in one of the fanciest neighborhoods of Oslo, on the Solli Square in leafy, residential area of Frogner. Basically, your next door neighbor is the royal castle.

The assignment to transform this into a unique hotel was given to design studio GrecoDeco (who have created the design for the Ned Hotel in London) and they really went to town. The brief from owner and hotelier extraordinaire Petter Stordalen was to create an homage to the 30s, with a kind of Gatsby-esque look and feel. The result is a fascinating mix of neoclassical, functionalist and art deco. I know, it sounds too much but sometimes too much is just the right amount. The look feels very warm with inviting greens and golden reds combined with burnished wood, the softest of hand-knotted rugs and an amazing attention to detail. The furniture are all bespoke and so are the lighting fixtures which must have cost a fortune to commission. But luckily the end result is amazing.

Since this hotel opened in late Summer of 2022 people have been flocking here like seagulls to a chippy shop. They don’t only come to stay in one of the 231 handsome rooms but to eat in one of the five restaurants, drink in one of the three bars, work out in the gym, visit the renovated bath or just hang out and people watch in Kafé Lucy in the lobby.

The tagline for the old electrical company was Lys, Kraft, Varme which means Light, Energy and Warmth and this is very much what you experience when staying at Hotel Sommerro.

Sommerro is situated in a stunning 1930s brick building in fancy Frogner, Oslo. Love this functionalist art deco architecture by Bjercke & Eliassen.

The stone reliefs by the entrance are made my sculptor Asbjørg Borgfeldt, the first generation of female Norwegian stone masons.

The reception area is a great combo of dark walls and floors combined with golden furniture and hand-knotted rugs.

On our way to our room through the golden red corridor.

The main feature of our room is burnished wood which gives the room a shiny, soft and also golden look.

The huge, comfy bed where the strict Art Deco look is softened with a patterned headboard.

The graphic profile is very true to the heritage of this place. And I have to mention the round wooden coins. They are actually the room keys.

Our bathroom was a dark, golden affair. I am not a fan of white tiled bathrooms so this was totally up my ally.

Bathroom products from Swedish perfume company Byredo adds a luxurious touch.

The main staircase is the first thing that greets you when you enter the hotel.

This massive Art Deco lamp runs like a spine through the different floors.

The grandiose Ekspedisjonshallen which is where you come for breakfast, dinner or a drink and some music.

The restored murals by artist Per Krogh is such a beautiful frame to this space.

The Art Deco look really comes through in these bespoke chairs. The level of detail is astounding!

Breakfast at Sommerro is not to be missed. And best thing is that like in all Norwegian hotels it is included in the prize.

If you need to pick up something on the go, Kafé Lucy will have you covered.

A coffee to go with that signature Sommerro look.

Beautiful Bygdøy is just a short walk/run from Sommerro and the city centre. A wonderful area where locals come to walk, run and swim.

Me and M going for a run in Bygdøy with our friend Mr T (who lives in Oslo and is the one taking the photo).

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…want to stay at a hotel that truly is the hottest place in town. Since Sommerro opened it has become the place to see and be seen (so make sure to book a table if you want to eat at one of the 5 in-house restaurants because this place is popular). If you want to experience some beautiful early 20th century architecture and a design scheme that fits that heritage like a glove, then this is your place.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is the amazing attention to detail. It seems no stone has been left unturned here and I can only imagine how much this transformation must have cost with restored murals, bespoke furniture and basically a full make over. The end result is stunning and it seems people (both visitors and locals) really appreciate it seems to have been a good investment.

What not to miss when staying here is…

…to go outside and experience the outdoors. Although Oslo is a city it is surrounded by gorgeous nature. You have sea, islands, forests, lakes and mountains at your doorstep, so whatever direction you go you will be able to experience some stunning nature. One of my favorite places is Bygdøy, an island just outside town where the royal family has their Summer residence. Here you can hike/run in the forest or swim in the clear (but cold) Oslo Fjord.

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