NORWAY - Scandinavia - page 453

year (doesn't apply to summer/weekend rates). My price ratings for Thon Ho-
tels are based on their average summer/weekend rates. Of the 14 Thon Hotels
in Oslo, I find the following most convenient:
$$$ Thon City Hotel Stefan, in a classy and central location two blocks
off Karl Johans Gate, is a cut above its sisters in comfort and charm. If
you want to splurge, this is the place to do it (Rosenkrantz Gate 1, entrance
on Kristian Augusts Gate side, tel. [phone], fax [phone],
www.thonhotels.no/stefan , [e-mail] ) .
$$$ Thon City Hotel Terminus is similar but closer to the station (Steners
Gate 10, tel. [phone], fax [phone], www.thonhotels.no/terminus , ter-
[e-mail] ).
$$$ Thon City Hotel Cecil is near the Parliament building a block below
Karl Johans Gate (Stortingsgata 8, tel. [phone], fax [phone],
www.thonhotels.no/cecil , [e-mail] ) .
$$ Thon Budget Hotel Spectrum is four blocks from the station near
the Grønland Torg shopping street. A quarter of its rooms are plagued by
disco noise on weekends (leave station out north entrance toward bus ter-
minal, go across footbridge toward tall glass Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, and
pass through Grønland Torg, Brugata 7; tel. [phone], fax [phone],
www.thonhotels.no/spectrum , [e-mail] ).
$$ Thon Budget Hotel Astoria has the least charm of my recommended
Thon Hotels, but it's well-located and perfectly serviceable (3 blocks in front
of station, 50 yards off Karl Johans Gate, Dronningens Gate 21, tel. 24 14 55
50, fax [phone], www.thonhotels.no/astoria , [e-mail] ) .
$$ Thon Budget Hotel Munch, a few blocks from the National Gallery,
is like its sisters. Of all the Thon Budget hotels listed, this one has the
most upscale location (Munchs Gate 5, tel. [phone], fax [phone],
www.thonhotels.no/munch , [e-mail] ) .
$$ Thon Budget Hotel Oslo Panorama is a 15-story attempt at a down-
town condominium building (the condos didn't work so now it's a budget
hotel). While higher rooms are more expensive, even those reserving a cheap
room often get bumped up. If you request anything higher than the fourth
floor, you'll likely enjoy a bigger room, perhaps with a balcony (just off