Hotel Continental

Back in 1887, a Swedish woman named Caroline Boman made her way to Oslo, instead of going to America like many of her friends. She married Christian Hansen, a local man, in 1891. Both started their hospitality journey at Kristiania’s Grand Hotel, Christian as a waiter and Caroline as a cook, learning the ropes of the business. In 1900, right across from the newly built National Theatre, Hotel Continental officially opened with Theatercaféen. At first, the hotel was owned by a brewery and managed by different people, but in 1909, Caroline and Christian took over the lease, and by 1912, they bought the hotel outright. Christian passed away in 1915, leaving Caroline to run the hotel alone.

Their son Arne, who studied hotel management at Harvard, helped the hotel grow by buying two neighboring buildings and adding a new wing in 1932 with 76 en suite rooms, the Dagligstuen lobby bar, and a banquet department. After his death in 1953, his daughter Ellen Brochmann, took over and opened Paviliongen that same year, and in 1960, she led a major expansion with an eight-story building. Her work earned her a Knight First Class of Norway’s Order of St Olav in 1988.

The fourth generation, Elisabeth Caroline Brochmann, took over in 1985. Under her guidance, the hotel was modernized with bars like LIPP and CASBAR, and all suites were refurbished. From its opening in 1900 to today, Hotel Continental has grown from a modest inn into one of Norway’s finest five-star hotels, run by the same family for four generations.

Hotel Continental sits on a triangular block between Stortingsgaten, Klingenberggaten, and Olav Vs gate, and you can really see its history in the way it looks. The hotel was built in parts over more than 60 years, so each section shows the style of its own time. The oldest part goes back to 1900, designed by Ivar Kock, and it’s all Art Nouveau with touches of Renaissance and Baroque. Back then, it was super modern, with lights, lifts, and central heating. and today it is recognized on Oslo’s Cultural Heritage Management Office’s Yellow List for historic buildings.

Then in the early 1930s, Ole Øvergaard added a new wing in a Functionalist style with some Art Deco details. Finished in 1932, it’s eight stories with a setback penthouse, all rooms en suite, and a lobby that opens onto Stortingsgaten. That section is on the Yellow List too. By the late 1950s, the hotel expanded again. Øvergaard came back as architect, and Bernt Heiberg designed the interiors for the rooms and the two corner restaurants facing City Hall. They used enamelled steel on the outside, which gave the building a bold, modern look.

Now the hotel has 151 rooms and suites, each with its own vibe, mixing classic touches with modern style. There’s hand-picked artwork everywhere, and in 2018, they did the biggest renovation ever with a new reception, new lobby bar, and all the rooms now have a classic contemporary feel, keeping the heritage but making it fresh and comfy.

Bar Boman

Bar Boman is a stylish, relaxed space for hotel guests and a lively spot for Oslo locals. Named after Caroline Boman, the hotel’s first-generation owner, the bar serves unique cocktails, tasty snacks, and is great for coffee, lunch, or after-work drinks. It also houses one of Norway’s largest private collections of Edvard Munch artworks. In summer, the bar spills out onto the street for drinks in the sun.
Opening hours:
Monday: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday to Thursday: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 12:00 midnight
Saturday: 11:00 am – 12:00 midnight
Sunday: 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Breakfast Restaurant Caroline

Start your day right at Caroline, with either a buffet or á la carte breakfast. Enjoy five-star service, a relaxed atmosphere, and views of Oslo’s bustling streets near the National Theatre. Breakfast is open to hotel guests and outside visitors.
Opening hours:
Weekdays: 06:30 am – 10:00 am
Weekends & public holidays: 07:00 am – 11:00 am

Room Service
Hotel Continental offers 24-hour room service. Guests can order meals or drinks to their rooms at any time of day. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night options are available, with a limited menu after 10:00 PM.

Hotel Continental offers a range of elegant spaces and full support to make your day smooth and memorable. Whether you want a small dinner with your closest people or a big wedding party, the team pretty much handles everything for you. Flowers, bridal suites, menus, planning support, all of it. Just let them know what you want the day to feel like, and they sort out the rest.

Teatersalen

Venue type and style: This space is the big showstopper and works really well for larger weddings. It was renovated not too long ago, so you get these beautiful chandeliers, huge windows, and modern lights and sound. The chef puts together really nice menus, and if you want it a bit smaller, they can split it into Teatersalen I and II.
Capacity: Up to 300 guests

Caroline

Venue type and style: Caroline has this warm, classic vibe and works best for medium-sized weddings. It looks out onto the busy streets by the National Theatre, and the mix of old and new design gives it a really inviting feel for a celebration.
Capacity: Up to 150 guests

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

If you want to keep things simple inside the hotel, you can always walk into the fitness center for a quick workout or check out the little gift shop for souvenirs or small bits to take home. It is all easy, especially on days when you do not feel like roaming around.

When you are ready to explore, there is plenty around to fill your day. The Royal Palace is close enough for a casual walk and always feels pretty impressive when you see it up close. If you want a bit of history, Akershus Fortress is nice for a wander, and the harbor view is always a plus. For something more artsy, the Astrup Fearnley Museum has bold modern art and a cool waterfront spot.

If you take a short ride out to the peninsula, you will find the Norwegian Maritime Museum and other museums that dig into Norway’s sea stories and maritime heritage. And if you would rather be out on the water, the Oslo Fjord 2 Hour Sightseeing Cruise gives you a relaxing way to see the city from the water.

For getting around without thinking too much, the Oslo hop-on hop-off bus is pretty popular. It loops past top tourist stops, so you can hop off whenever something catches your eye. Aker Brygge is another place people love. It is lively, full of cafés and shops, and great for walking around with no plan at all. For culture vultures, the Oslo Opera House is a nice stop, since it is home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. Even if you do not go in for a show, the building itself is cool to see from the outside.

When the weather is nice, the beaches around Oslo make a sweet little break. Hovedøya Island Beach is perfect for a quick escape to some nature, while Bygdøy Sjøbad and Huk Beach feel more like a full beach day. If you want more green spaces, Sognsvann Lake and Vigeland Park are good for slow walks, fresh air, and a calm moment. You get a nice mix of city, culture, nature, and easy exploring, so you can shape your day however you feel like.

Hotel Continental has been a popular venue in Oslo during November and December for over a century. A standout festive event is Beats&Brunch at Theatercaféen, where guests can enjoy tasty brunch dishes, creative cocktails, and music from some of Oslo’s top DJs. It’s a relaxed way to catch up with friends over food or dance a little to the beats while soaking up the pre-Christmas atmosphere. Similar festive events are also held during Christmas and New Year, making the hotel a lively spot for holiday celebrations.

Hotel Continental can handle all kinds of events, whether it’s a private celebration like a birthday, anniversary, or farewell, or a work event like a meeting or conference. For business events, there are dedicated, well-equipped spaces for anything from small meetings to large conferences of up to 250 people, with all the tech and facilities needed. The team can also create unique settings, tailor the décor, or accommodate other customized requests to make your event special.