The Thief

The hotel of choice for celebrities, creative types and contemporary art lovers, The Thief is centered in the trendy, waterfront design district of Tjuvholmen and offers a buzzing atmosphere around the clock.

• Hotel guests get free entrance to the Astrup Fearnley Museum, which is located next door
• High-tech room features including heated floors and motion-sensor lights in the bathrooms
• The Thief spa and fitness center – the best of any in town

A prison island in the 18th century, Tjuvholmen was infamously known as “Thief Island” until its gentrification in the 2000s. Now a burgeoning neighborhood filled with galleries and boutiques, Tjuvholmen was solidified as one of Oslo’s most exciting urban spaces when The Thief hotel opened in 2013. Overlooking the fjords, the cutting-edge hotel is the top choice for visitors interested in architecture and looking to stay in one of Scandinavia’s most innovative design districts.

Set just a block from the Astrup Fearnley Museum (guests of The Thief receive free entry), the 118-room hotel resides within a Cubist-style curved building, and contains an impeccable art collection, which was curated by the former director of the National Museum. Pieces by Andy Warhol, Richard Prince and Antony Gormley are hung casually throughout public spaces and the dining outlets, and upon-request art tours are offered for those who wish to learn more about the hotel’s collection. The hotel crowd is undeniably glamorous, and past guests have included Rihanna, Bill Gates and Steven Tyler.

Accommodations are plush and moody, with a deep, mostly grey color palette, shag rugs, loads of pillows on each room’s king bed and bold original art lining the walls. Woolen blankets and extra large towels enhance the cozy atmosphere, but the rooms are undeniably modern thanks to the futuristic furnishings and high-tech features including heated floors and motion-sensor lights in the bathrooms. The ten suites are individually appointed, and offer a range of styles from demure to over-the-top. The Eske- and Terence Conran–designed Brit Suite has a playful 1960s-inspired style with soft white light fixtures and cobalt blue furniture, while the Apparatjik Suite (designed by the eponymous music group) is as wild as it gets, with disco balls hanging from the ceiling and the option to project the image of one of the band members on the bed so guests can “sleep with the stars.” Each room features a private balcony with a great view – whether you are facing the Oslo Fjord or neighboring buildings, the charm of Tjuvholmen is undeniable.

Onsite amenities include the Foodbar for all-day Scandinavian fare and two bars—one on the rooftop and offering fabulous views (though somewhat lackluster food), the other next to the restaurant serving craft cocktails. (In the warmer months, the restaurant relocates to the indoor/outdoor space on the rooftop, overlooking the fjord.) The spa and gym are some of the best in the city; the gym is open 24 hours with several cardio machines and a small weight training room. The hotel also has three Riva boats for guests.

Art and design lovers looking to be located near contemporary galleries and the buzzing waterfront and appreciate a sexy atmosphere.