Numa Oslo Hallen: A slick apartment hotel, self-service

A converted 19th-century post office with high ceilings, Smeg fridges, and zero staff. Numa Oslo Hallen is a digital-first apartment hotel where everything happens through an app. No lobby, no front desk, no small talk. You get a code, you let yourself in, you figure it out. If you're comfortable with that, this place delivers.

The rooms are well-designed Scandi-minimalist with parquet floors, proper kitchenettes, and heated bathroom floors. The washing machine in the unit is a genuine money-saver in a city where laundry costs are brutal. Just know the machine doesn't dry, so plan 24 hours for air-drying on the rack. The beds are comfortable, the linens are good quality, and the toiletries come in large sustainable bottles.

Location is five minutes on foot to Oslo Central Station and a short walk to Karl Johans gate. You're surrounded by cafes and tram stops. That connectivity comes at a cost: rooms facing Tollbugata catch tram rumble and street noise. Bring earplugs or request a courtyard-facing room, which will be quieter but darker. Some courtyard units get almost no natural light.

The entrance has stairs, no way around them. Not workable for wheelchair users or anyone wrestling heavy bags. Skip the hotel breakfast, it's often a pre-packed box or a voucher for somewhere else. Godt Brød and Kaffebrenneriet are minutes away and better in every respect.