The Thief

The hotel was fantastic. The Amex upgrade was just a room on a higher floor but still appreciated it. The room was comfy but not as large as other Amex properties we’ve been to. The room was clean and had an assortment of things you could purchase like underwear, razors, creams, etc. The parking is the public lot that is right under the hotel. It is expensive though at over $50 a night. It is located close to many restaurants and the water. I didn’t love the food at the restaurant though but probably more that it’s not suited for my palate.

Stylish luxury with outstanding service and an excellent breakfast The Thief made a wonderful first impression. The architecture immediately caught my eye, and the moment I stepped inside I loved the atmosphere. The lobby is dark, cosy and beautifully designed, creating a very modern yet welcoming feel. My room continued that theme perfectly. It was spacious, intelligently laid out and very comfortable, with beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows that flooded the room with natural light. I had requested a higher floor before arrival, and the hotel kindly accommodated my request. I really appreciated the effort, and I believe I received one of the better rooms available. The only disappointment was the view. The hotel’s promotional photos give the impression that many rooms enjoy a wide, unobstructed panorama across the fjord. In reality, my room overlooked the marina with the water visible between neighbouring buildings. It was still a pleasant view, but not quite the sweeping waterfront vista the marketing had led me to expect. I think the photography sets expectations a little too high in that regard. The staff deserve special praise. Every single member of staff I encountered, from reception to the breakfast team, was exceptionally friendly, professional and welcoming. Service throughout my stay was consistently excellent. Breakfast was another highlight. The restaurant has a calm, elegant atmosphere and never felt crowded. The buffet was clearly focused on quality rather than quantity, with fresh produce, wellness shots, excellent breads, fruit, vegetables and plenty of thoughtful details that made it feel more refined than the average hotel breakfast. Scrambled eggs were available on the buffet, while one à la carte egg dish could be ordered without additional charge, which I found perfectly reasonable. I also appreciated that the staff happily brought me apple vinegar when I asked whether they had balsamic for my salad. Little touches like that made the experience feel genuinely attentive. The spa is equally stylish. It features a lovely Finnish sauna, hammam, steam room and a beautifully designed relaxation area. The only drawback is the swimming pool, which is heated to around 35°C. After a proper sauna session, a pool that warm simply doesn’t provide any cooling. I think a temperature closer to 30°C would make it much more enjoyable. Guests are encouraged to cool off in the Oslofjord, which is only about a minute’s walk away, and while that’s certainly a unique Nordic experience, it does mean leaving the spa area wrapped in a towel. Access to the spa comes at an additional charge, although hotel guests receive a reduced rate and spa treatment guests receive a further discount. Personally, I think complimentary access for guests booking treatments would be a welcome addition at this price level. The location is excellent. There are numerous restaurants within a short walk, a Joker convenience store nearby, and many of Oslo’s attractions can easily be reached on foot. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay. The hotel’s design, atmosphere, comfort, breakfast and service are all outstanding, and I would happily return. A few small details prevent it from being absolutely perfect, but it remains one of Oslo’s most stylish and enjoyable luxury hotels.

The Thief is trendy and comfortable. We stayed in a three person room and while initially there was some confusion about whether we needed a kids bed, this was resolved in time for bed. The breakfasts were the highlight for us, so much choice and delicious fresh food, with lots of healthy options and the chance to try brown cheese, herring and other Norwegian specialties. We swam from the nearby harbour bathing stage and enjoyed the food stalls along the seafront in the other direction towards the town. Depending on what you plan to do, it can be a nuisance to have to hop on a bus (Munch museum and town centre are all a 10 minute bus ride), but the Thief is easy walking distance to the exceptional National Museum and the less exceptional Astrup Fearnley art collection.