Radisson SAS Plaza 5*, Oslo, Norway

February 2009.

I stayed at this hotel mainly because I was going to a show at "Oslo Spektrum", which is connected to Radisson SAS. This hotel is supposed to be a 5*. As usual, when staying at Radissons, I wonder why they don't rate it as a 4*, then nobody would be disappointed. I don't see any difference from a 4* Radisson to a 5*, it's mainly the same.



The bathroom was standard Radisson, so was the toiletries. No surprises here! And to be honest, that is what I like with the Radisson. Where ever you are, you know what you get, a decent 4* hotel.





Breakfast was ok, nothing special which could indicate this as a 5* either.

Don't go to this hotel if you want a real 5*!

Bergen, my city!

Bryggen, Bergen

Today, when reading about Bergen in another blog, it hit me that I have not written about Bergen, the nicest city in the world - as long as it is sunny! :D

The problem is... it's years since I stayed at any hotel in Bergen, AND since I am a really fan of Bergen, I may be a little bit biased. It's said about the people from Bergen that we are the most patriotic people in the world, and I think that is true.

When I was about 20 years I moved to Trondheim, to study. Before I moved I was very tired of Bergen and I was so happy to move away. It only took me a few months to realise that I missed the city, the people, the shops, even the rain, terribly. Every time I came home, for a visit, I was sorry to leave.

Luckily, after 5 years in Trondheim, we were able to move back to Bergen. Although I love to travel, Bergen will always be *my* city.

So... What is the best with Bergen? Hmmm..... I think it is the atmosphere... It's difficult to explain, you have to experience it yourself. The people of Bergen are very enthusiastic, patriotic and committed. Even if it's raining 300 days a year (not sure about the exact amount, but it feels like 300 days...:-)) we still love the city. And when the sun comes, all the people are going to the city, to the cafes or just to take a walk in the sun.

As I said, I have only been to two hotels in Bergen: Hotel Norge and Augustin. We had our wedding-night at Hotel Norge, 10 years ago. It was before I started to ruin my stay with being critical to everything, but I do remember the suit was great.

I am a little bit biased when it comes to Hotel Augustin as I worked there when I was going to school, in summertime and weekends. But that is... years ago... :-D Last time I was there was when T had his PhD graduation, 4 years ago. The rooms were (I have heard they have refurbished the hotel since then) a little bit dated and worn. The breakfast was very nice. This was also before I became critical...

I have heard Hotel Havnekontoret is very good, so IF I am going to stay at a hotel in Bergen, I think I am going to try that.

What to do in Bergen, as a tourist? You should go to "Akvariet", lots of fish, "sea-creeps" and even penguins. This is great also for grown-ups! Take the cable-car to either "Floyen" or "Ulriken". You get a fantastic view over Bergen. I would prefer "Floyen" as there is a restaurant and a playground at the top. Take a walk at "Bryggen" - a world heritage site.

There are lots of other things to do, I just don't have time for it now. Will write more later.

Hotel Continental, a true 5*?

No, no and no.....

The hotel itself is very nice. Nice location and nice rooms. The toiletries from Molton Brown was the most luxurious with my room. No bathrobe and no slippers.

Two days before arriving I wrote an e-mail to confirm my booking. I never got any answer. I would have expected a true 5* to respond to e-mails.

Check-in was fast and efficient, but maybe too efficient, I had to ask for the elevator.

The room was nice.

Breakfast was a big disappointment. It looked nice, but the hot food was cold and the rest looked like it had been laying there for some hours... (like the "skin-food" at Radisson SAS Royal Copenhagen). The waiters didn't say "good morning" and never smiled. They talked too much with each other instead of taking away plates. There were only filter coffee and "ready made" tea. The coffee was served in the can from the coffee-machine! I looked for a bottle of water, no bottle, no water at all.

I went out to do some shopping while the housekeepers did my room. When I came back, they had not taken the rubbish away! And, yes, there were much because I had been to a beauty-show the day before and had thrown away lots of brochures I didn't need. There were so much I had to place it at the floor... It was taken away at the turn-down service.

It may bee that I am "pickey", but I really expect a lot from a 5* hotel, especially one that is part of "The leading hotels of the world" (I may have written "luxury hotels of the world" before, but it's "leading hotels"). The hotel COULD have been a true 5*, but because of average service and cold breakfast, I would never have rated it as more than a 4*. I never felt like a "princess" or a special person, like I would have expected a true 5* to treat me. My advise is to send the staff to a true 5*, maybe they would have learned something new.