From Oslo to London: How We Chose Our Hotels in Winter

When we planned our winter trip through Scandinavia and London, one of the biggest challenges was accommodation. Hotels in the region are notoriously expensive, often reaching €500 or more for just three nights. Still, with a bit of research, timing and strategy, we managed to stay in comfortable and stylish hotels, sometimes even at bargain rates. Here is how we did it and what we learned along the way.

Oslo: A Budget-Friendly Start

Norway is famously pricey, so even with my Booking.com Genius Level 3 status, I had to search for something budget conscious. Luckily, I came across Anker Hotel in Oslo during a Black Friday flash deal. For about Rs 18,000 (€340) for 3 nights, excluding breakfast, it was a steal for four days in the Norwegian capital.

The room itself was basic but surprisingly spacious, with plenty of room to spread out after long winter days. The bathroom was small and simple but perfectly fine for our needs. We added breakfast separately at €12–15 per person per day, which turned out to be varied and very good.

Stockholm: A Hotel We Fell in Love With

Next stop was Sweden, where we stayed at ProfilHotels Nacka in Stockholm. For Rs 19,000 (€350) for 3 nights with breakfast, this hotel won us over completely.

The room was large, beautifully designed and incredibly comfortable. The bathroom was modern and stylish, and the breakfast? One of the best we have ever had, fresh, tasty and authentically Swedish. We had originally planned four nights here, but we cut it short to try something new: an overnight ferry to Helsinki. Even so, this was one of our absolute favourites.

Stockholm to Helsinki: A Cruise to Remember

Instead of flying to Finland, we opted for a 16-hour cruise aboard the Silja Symphony. For about €350 total for two people, we booked an A-class cabin, buffet dinner and breakfast, plus a little splurge on sparkling wine.

The ship itself felt like a floating city with duty-free shops, restaurants, bars, entertainment and even a casino. It was our first ever cruise and it exceeded all expectations. Between the shows, the food and the unique experience of waking up in a new country, it became one of the most memorable parts of our trip.

Helsinki: Sleeping With Reindeer

In Finland, our first night was something truly special: an Igluhut Pihka at Nuuksio Reindeer Park. At €385 per night for two, it was the most expensive accommodation of our journey, but worth every cent.

The eco-cabin sits deep in the forest where you can watch and feed reindeer right from your window. Once the day visitors leave, you are alone with nature, just you, the snow and the reindeer. We also ordered a snack basket (€75 for two) and breakfast (€55 per person), which added to the experience. It felt like a magical escape from the world.

Helsinki: Our Favourite Urban Stay

For our final three nights in Scandinavia, we checked into The Folks Hotel Konepaja in Helsinki. At about €270 for 3 nights without breakfast, this hotel quickly became a favourite.

We were welcomed with a bottle of sparkling wine for New Year’s Eve, a lovely surprise. The rooms were beautifully designed, modern and full of character. Breakfast here was expensive at around €30 per person per day, but it was excellent and worth the treat. This stay perfectly combined comfort with a sense of occasion.

London: Back to the City

Before heading back to Mauritius, we made a final stop in London, staying at the Radisson Blu in Canary Wharf. For €350 for 2 nights including breakfast, it was good value for London standards.

The room was smaller than those we had in Scandinavia but still comfortable and modern, with an amazing view over Canary Wharf. The location was perfect with easy access to trains, buses and plenty of places to walk around. Breakfast was plentiful and delicious, setting us up well for days spent exploring the city.

What We Learned About Booking Hotels

One key lesson from this trip: hotel rooms in Scandinavia are generally much more spacious than in London or Paris. But space comes at a price, unless you plan wisely.

Here is how we kept costs down:We booked early on Booking.com, always with free cancellation. We rebooked whenever a better flash sale appeared, sometimes saving hundreds. We chose hotels with ratings of at least 8/10. We factored in breakfast costs to the budget, whether included or paid separately. Finally, we prioritised hotels near bus and train stations since we relied only on public transport.

With these strategies, what could have been an extremely costly trip turned into a series of comfortable stays that fit our budget.