Lysebu hotel – Oslo, Norway

Twenty minutes by car from the pulsing heart of Oslo there is a boutique hotel hidden in a beautiful forrest. Lysebu is the given name of this idyllically place and is located at the top of Holmenkollen, approx. 500 meters above sea level. The historical property was built in 1916 and was Norway’s national gift to Denmark.

Anette and I were welcomed with open arms by Kit, a heartwarming front desk manager who had so many great stories to tell about Lysebu. I was so caught up by the fact that the Northern lights could be seen from the hotel every once in a while, that out of enthusiasm I asked Kit to contact me when Aurora decides to show her beauty again. He told me some stories about his own personal experiences. I was so fascinated I had to ask him for proof. Haha.

The reception area was decorated with Christmas ornaments. The lobby  was furnished with wooden tables, sofas and throw pillows. In the corner by the fireplace there’s a Christmas tree standing beautifully and fully decorated with light, giving you the feeling of being in a cabin somewhere far up in the mountains.

The hotel houses 21 single rooms, 28 double rooms and 36 suites in Norwegian traditional style. The hotel features several banquet halls perfect for weddings or other special occasions. As well as an indoor swimming pool, sauna and a gym where guests can enjoy a workout.

The in-house restaurant is famous for its excellent cuisine and offers fun and educational food seminars. The restaurant features large panoramic windows and Nordic art on the walls. During summer times guests can enjoy dining outside on the terrace.

The restaurant also offers afternoon tea which one has to test out, the traditional scone with jam and creme was definitely my favorite. The hotels breakfast buffet can be found on the opposite side of the reception area, offering a selection of homemade healthy choices. Lysebu has a well-stocked wine cellar which is said to be one of the best ones in Norway. If desired, wine-tasting sessions can be arranged in different forms, depending on interest and price.

COZY JUNIOR SUITE WITH A PANORAMIC VIEWS OF SØRKEDALEN VALLEY AND NOREFJELL MOUNTAIN

There’s an underground passage in the property allowing access between buildings. As we walked through this passage in order for us to get to our room Anette and I couldn’t stop talking about ghosts and what it was like back in the days. Whenever I visit a historical place I try to pretend to live in the same time-period, just to make it extra fun. At the end of the passage I burst out it laughter, Anette thought we had to go through this dark scary room which turned out to be the wine-cellar.

As we got to our room I unlocked the door with an old fashioned key, not those modern keycards. I opened the door and the first thing I noticed when I walked inside was the balcony and the big panoramic window overlooking the Valley of Sørkedalen and Norefjell Mountain.

The room is approx. 30 sqm and is located in the second floor. It’s furnished with a corner sofa, a cute coffee table, a soft queen size bed, night table, drawers and closets, and a working desk with free access to Wi-Fi.

It’s also equipped with a flatscreen TV, iPod dock station, minibar and ironing facilities. The room has a separated bathroom with shower and toiletries from L’occitane.

It’s been a long time since I last stayed in a hotel on behalf of my blog so I was happy to getaway for a litte while! Thank you very much Lysebu for letting us stay here. It was so sad to leave as we enjoyed ourselves way to much. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to enjoy a swim or relax by the indoor swimming pool. Maybe next time!