You walk out of Oslo Central Station, turn slightly to the right, and there it is. Clarion Hotel The Hub Oslo isn’t just a building; it’s a Statement with a capital S. Most people see the 810 rooms and think "airport terminal vibe" or "soulless corporate box." I get it. Massive hotels usually feel like you’re just a number on a plastic keycard. But honestly, The Hub is weirdly different. It’s the largest hotel in Norway, yet it manages to feel like a living, breathing part of the city rather than a sterile tourist trap.
Oslo is changing fast. The waterfront is unrecognizable from ten years ago, and the city center is becoming more pedestrian-friendly by the day. In the middle of this transformation sits The Hub. It replaced the old Hotel Royal Christiania, but calling it a renovation is a massive understatement. They basically gutted the soul of the old place and injected it with a high-voltage shot of Nordic cool.
The Reality of Staying at Clarion Hotel The Hub Oslo
Let’s talk about the scale. We’re looking at over 800 rooms. In any other city, that’s a recipe for a 20-minute wait at the check-in desk. Somehow, they’ve optimized the flow here. You see people on laptops in the "Library" (the lobby lounge), folks grabbing coffee, and travelers dragging suitcases, but it rarely feels like a mosh pit.
The rooms? They’re classic Nordic. Think clean lines, functional lighting, and windows that actually let you see the city. If you’re staying in a standard room, it’s compact. That’s just Oslo for you. Space is a premium. But if you snag a room on the higher floors, the view of the fjord or the city skyline is worth the extra Krone.
One thing people always ask: "Is it noisy?" It’s literally across the street from the busiest transport hub in the country. If you leave your window open, you’ll hear the trams. It’s a city symphony. But the soundproofing is actually legit. Close the heavy windows, and the chaos of Jernbanetorget disappears.
Norda: Not Your Average Hotel Restaurant
If you go to the 13th floor, you’ll find Norda. This is where Marcus Samuelsson—the guy behind Red Rooster in Harlem—brought his concept to the North. Most hotel restaurants are where dreams go to die. Norda is the opposite. It’s got this "East meets West" philosophy, mixing local Norwegian ingredients with international flavors.
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Think about sustainable seafood. Norway is obsessed with it, and rightly so. At Norda, you might find Arctic char paired with spices you’d expect in a New York bistro. It’s also got one of the best rooftop bars in the city, Calmeyers Hage.
The view from the terrace is a 360-degree panorama of Oslo. You see the Opera House, the new Munch Museum (the "leaning" building), and the hills of Holmenkollen in the distance. Even if you aren't staying at the hotel, locals actually come here. That’s the litmus test for any hotel bar. If the locals show up, it’s good. If it’s only tourists, run.
Sustainability Isn't Just a Buzzword Here
Norway takes the environment seriously. Like, really seriously. Clarion Hotel The Hub Oslo didn't just put a "please reuse your towel" sign in the bathroom and call it a day. They went further.
They have a rooftop garden called GrowHub.
It’s a large-scale urban garden on the roof. They grow microgreens, herbs, and even some vegetables that end up on your plate downstairs. It’s a closed-loop system that reduces food miles to basically zero. Plus, they use a massive field of solar panels and a cooling system that taps into the city's infrastructure to keep energy consumption down.
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When you stay here, you’re part of a massive experiment in how big-city hospitality can actually be sustainable. They’ve moved away from those tiny, annoying plastic shampoo bottles. Everything is high-quality, bulk-dispensed, and eco-certified. It feels premium, not cheap.
Navigating the Neighborhood
Location is the primary reason people book here. You are steps away from:
- Karl Johans gate: The main shopping artery.
- Oslo S: The train station with the Flytoget (Airport Express) that gets you to Gardermoen in 19 minutes.
- Bjørvika: The hyper-modern district home to the library and opera house.
Basically, you don't need a car. Ever. The tram lines converge right outside the door. You can jump on the #12 tram and be at the Vigeland Sculpture Park in 15 minutes. Or walk ten minutes to the pier and catch a ferry to the islands in the Oslo Fjord.
The Design Language
The interior design was handled by Krook & Tjäder. They used a lot of local materials—stone, wood, and metal—to create a vibe that feels very "Oslo." It’s moody in the hallways but bright in the common areas. There’s a lot of art, too. The hotel collaborated with Sune Nordgren (formerly of the National Museum) to curate pieces that actually make you stop and look. It’s not that generic "hotel art" that looks like a screensaver.
What Most People Get Wrong About The Hub
The biggest misconception is that it’s too big to be personal. While you won't get that boutique, "the-concierge-knows-my-dog's-name" vibe, the service is surprisingly sharp.
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Another thing: people think it's purely for business. Sure, the conference facilities are insane (they have a ballroom that can hold a thousand people), but the weekend crowd is all about leisure. You'll see families, couples on staycations, and groups of friends heading to the rooftop.
One nuance to remember is the breakfast. It’s a beast. In Norway, hotel breakfast is an event. The Hub's spread is legendary, but it can get crowded. If you go at 9:00 AM on a Saturday, be prepared for a bit of a line. Go early—like 7:30 AM—and you’ll have the smoked salmon and freshly baked bread mostly to yourself.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Don't just stay in your room. The "Library" in the lobby is one of the best places in the city to get work done if you're a digital nomad. The Wi-Fi is blazing fast, and the coffee is actually decent.
Check out the gym and wellness area. It’s in the basement, which sounds depressing, but they’ve designed it with great lighting and a pool. After a long flight or a day of walking the hills of Grünerløkka, a sauna hit is basically mandatory in Norway.
Actionable Steps for Booking and Staying
- Join the Club: Sign up for the Strawberry (formerly Nordic Choice) loyalty program before booking. They often have member-only rates that are significantly cheaper than Expedia or Booking.com.
- Request a High Floor: When checking in, ask specifically for a room facing the fjord on floor 10 or above. The city lights at night are incredible.
- The Breakfast Strategy: If you hate crowds, ask the staff for the "quiet times" for breakfast. It usually fluctuates based on conference schedules.
- Airport Transit: Do NOT take a taxi from the airport. It will cost you a fortune. Take the Flytoget or the much cheaper Vy regional train to Oslo S. The hotel is a three-minute walk from the platform.
- Explore the Rooftop Early: Head to Calmeyers Hage right when it opens to snag a seat on the edge of the terrace. It fills up fast, especially when the sun is out (which, in a Norwegian summer, is basically all night).
Clarion Hotel The Hub Oslo proves that you can be big and still have a soul. It’s the pulse of the city captured in glass, steel, and a whole lot of Nordic hospitality. Whether you're there for a meeting or just to see the Munch paintings, it serves as a perfect, sustainable basecamp for everything Oslo has to offer.