Traveling to Norway’s capital city? For an ideal setting, The Continental Hotel’s address on Stortingsgata in central Oslo is just the ticket. Ideally situated close to public transportation, the ferry harbor, and a wide array of world-class museums and dining options, this elegant 5-star, family-owned hotel is a member of Leading Hotels of the World, offering a luxe guest experience that presents the best in Nordic design and ambience.

© Hotel Continental Oslo

Accommodations include 151 graceful rooms and individually designed suites, all of which display works of art chosen to enhance a sense of refined comfort. The present generation of family added sustainable features that earned it Eco-Lighthouse certification and practice a host of green initiatives ranging from recycling food waste to green heating.

Breakfast is a multisensory feast in Caroline, named for the original owner who began her hotel career in Oslo as a cook at the city’s Grand Hotel in the late 1800s. It was there she met Christian Boman Hansen, a waiter.

© Hotel Continental Oslo

The rest is hotel history, with a series of acquisitions, renovations and new builds that led to the magnificent structure now occupying an entire downtown city block. Today, diners at Caroline can choose to order à la carte, or indulge in an array of fresh fare on the sumptuous buffet that ranges from egg and meat dishes to savory breads and pastries, supplemented by an assortment of jams, honey and freshly squeezed juices.

Other dining options include room service, drinks and nibbles at Bar Bowman; pizza and cocktails at CASBAR; lunch and dinner at Theatercafeen (save room for the chocolate cake roll made with apple marmalade and served with salted caramel ice cream); and dinner at Eik Annen Etage, where the multicourse gourmet menu includes a choice of three-, four- or five-course meals with wine.

© Hotel Continental Oslo

You’ll find plenty to do nearby, and a short walk leads to the ferry harbor where you can board a boat for a leisurely cruise along the shores of Oslofjord. Other nearby-must see sites are Oslo City Hall, where one exterior wall is decorated with fabulous wooden relief carvings depicting scenes from Nordic myths and legends. Also within walking distance are Nobel Peace Center, the National Museum’s expansive art exhibitions, and Viking-era artifacts at Historical Museum. Download the Oslo Pass for museum entries and the use of the city’s efficient, punctual and comfortable public transport.