Sommerro House is arguably the coolest new hotel in Oslo. A bold statement, yes, but before I even set foot on Norwegian soil to visit the Scandinavian hotspot, at least four people enquired as to whether I would be staying at this recently restored iconic, Art Deco property; such is its word of mouth appeal. And having spent three nights there - including two at the adjoining ultra luxury 11 suite retreat, Villa Inkognito - I can see why. Set in one of Oslo’s landmark, listed 1930’s buildings - the original HQ of the city’s electricity company - in the historic but hip West End neighbourhood of Frogner, since opening its doors in September 2022, Sommerro House has caused quite the stir.
With three bars, four restaurants (including Oslo’s first and only rooftop restaurant and pool), one underground cinema and a sprawling wellness centre and spa that includes the revival of the city’s original Art Deco public baths, Sommerro has plenty to offer, especially those with a taste for glamour. Welcomed upon arrival by Sommerro’s dapper GM, Dominic Gorham, the city’s cool crowd have flocked to Sommerro since day one for the food scene, the bars and to enjoy the regular live music, including evening jazz at the stunning bar and restaurant, Ekspedisjonshallen. For film fans, the 28-seater cinema hosts weekly themed movie events, such as the popular Marilyn Monroe brunch or wine and dine crime nights.
For those with a keen eye for design, the hotel is the handiwork of the London/ New York based design duo, GrecoDeco, also the brains behind London’s The Ned, part of the Soho House group. As the building is from the same era as The Ned, the powers that be wanted a similar feel and the results of the five year refurbishment are exceptional, with extraordinary attention to detail. Much of the furniture, fittings and wallpaper is bespoke and many original features have been retained - such as the tiled mosaics and bathing cubicles in the spa
Sizeable and chic with a warm colour palette of reds, greens and different woods, including teak, with particularly impressive Art Deco inspired bed headboards in each room. Soft, cosy rugs under foot, bluetooth speakers and a pile of books including coffee table tomes on the hotel’s heritage and restoration, plus a cookery book from Sommerro’s very own Frida Ronge. Byredo products in the bathrooms score extra chic points.
It’s been labelled Oslo’s answer to Chateau Marmont since it opened in April this year, a private villa of 11 suites that can be hired in its entirety or on an individual room rate and set in one of Oslo’s finest private residences, Villa Inkognito now forms part of Sommerro. With a discreet entrance just to the right of the hotel and an adjoining tunnel above street level to to access all of Sommerro's amenities, guests are impeccably looked after by Deborah Wigardt - the lady of the house. Inkognito is a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the city and offers a level of privacy and tranquility not afforded by the more showy Sommerro. With its own living areas including a bar, snug, library and a beautiful Lilypad drawing room, the interiors - again by GrecoDeco - boast opulent pops of bold colour, all with a nod to the 1930s. One of the highlights of the Inkognito experience is the breakfast in the kitchen, an informal and intimate setting to break bread with fellow guests and with your own private chef on hand to rustle up whatever you would like at the stove. Or for those who would rather dine in private, there is also the option of breakfast in the dining room. The suites are impeccably finished with luxury fittings and upholstery including bespoke designed hand-carved wooden sleigh beds. The (delicious) products in the bathrooms are by Le Labo with Ghd hairdryers and straighteners in every room.
A lot. Ekspedisjonshallen is the all-day dining spot centred around a magnificent bar that was once the cashiers tills for the electricity board and reminded me of Grand Central Station. A plentiful and healthy breakfast buffet is here in the mornings, a brasserie menu at lunchtime by British Executive chef, Jonathan Howell and by night its the place to sink a Negroni or two at the bar.
Two of the city’s most popular restaurants have relocated to the hotel: Thai Restaurant Plah and Ahhan, helmed by chef Terje Ommundsen (his pork belly and watermelon salad is to die for) and the Spanish tapas outpost, Barramon. Afternoon tea and champagne at To Sostre is a wonderful indulgence with the silver tiered stands of sandwiches and cakes (also fantastic gluten and dairy free options).
Upstairs on the roof, the real jewel in Sommerro’s crown is the acclaimed Tak Oslo, the city’s only rooftop restaurant - with 360 views of the capital and the fjords and a magnificent setting for late night summer sunsets. Swedish chef, Frido Ronge, serves a menu of Nordic and Japanese inspired cuisine with a large selection of Saki to wash it down with. Below the restaurant at the bar, Izakaya, there is also a menu of Japanese inspired street foof snacks.
Vestkantbadet wellness centre and spa is really unique with a lot to offer. The treatments are all performed in the original 1930’s wooden cubicles that once formed part of the city’s public baths. The products are a combination of Vestkanbadet’s own and Elemis and the wide range of treatments vary from salt scrubs and algae wraps, peels, hydrafacials and cryo sculpt to massages and sleep specific therapy. The infrared sauna and plunge pool are top of the range and you can even sign up for a Wim Hoff ice bath experience with a specially trained instructor to help with breathing techniques. The indoor swimming pool is spacious and beautifully surrounded by the original 1930's mosaic portrait of swimmers and seals.
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Oslo is having somewhat of a moment right now and the summer months with the long hours of sunlight make it the perfect time to visit. Thanks also to a recent appearance in one of the final episodes of HBO’s wildly successful show, Succession, Norway is suddenly the place on everyone’s destination hit list. Oslo is crammed full of art - as is the surrounding countryside. Some highlights include the recently opened National Museum in the city centre, that houses former Oslo native, Edvard Munch's The Scream. If you want to venture further afield and take in some of the beautiful Norwegian countryside, and the fjords, I highly recommend a trip to the Kistefos Sculpture Park and Museum which is just over an hour outside Oslo. Build on the grounds of a historical pulp mill, Kistefos offers world-class sculpture and architecture including the extraordinary feat of engineering The Twist gallery - an award-winning piece of design. We were taken on a very informative tour of the surrounding area by Unique Pearls of Eastern Norway tour operator.
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Finally one of the most fun experiences I have ever had - and a typically Norwegian leisure pursuit - a trip out on the fjords on a floating KOK Norge sauna is an absolute must! Amidst spectacular scenery, you change into your swimmers onboard, heat up in the sauna (undeniably the hottest I've ever experienced and manned by somewhat of a sadist) then leap off the edge into the ice cold fjords screaming and howling, before doing it all over again - it's utterly exhilarating and makes you feel reinvigorated with life - much like Oslo itself!
Rates at Sommerro, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ prestigious Legend Collection,
start from £225 per double room including breakfast.
Villa Inkognito single room rates start from £495/night, and full Villa rentals start from
£8,190/night.
