Lodge Intel: Neo-Nordic Thief displays stylish, inventive Oslo

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The Thief displays all the things that’s stylish and cosmopolitan within the thrilling capital metropolis of Oslo and that features elegant up to date décor, lofty gastronomy, chic Scandinavian spa life and avant-garde artwork and structure.

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It was my first go to to Norway and I had imagined folks plunging into icy fjords, plus a number of woolly sweaters, Viking ships and snowboarding.

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These traditional points of interest prevail, however The Thief is a number one gentle of progressive neo-Nordic hospitality and an instance of the fashionable opulence of oil-rich Norway. The lodge even has a cameo position on Exit, the Scandinavian TV collection concerning the extravagance of monetary world hotshots, a sort-of Billions on steroids.

The Thief is an eco-conscious enterprise in a nation that’s thought of one of many greenest on the earth. (Norway’s oil manufacturing is deemed comparatively clear, e-cars symbolize about 80 per cent of latest gross sales, and such cruise firms as Hurtigruten Norway are transitioning quickly to eco-operations.)

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Billionaire developer and environmentalist Petter A. Stordalen, head of Strawberry Hospitality Group, which owns The Thief, has established a program with native meals and energy-efficient techniques for warmth, waste and water.

Artwork theme: The lodge will get its deal with from its location on Tjuvholmen, aka Thieves’ Island, within the Oslo Fjord, as soon as a haven for smugglers and robbers.

At the moment, it’s an ultra-gentrified district popping with upscale condos, very good eating places, trendy boutiques and wealthy tradition at Astrup Fearnley Museum of Trendy Artwork (lodge friends have free entry) and the out of doors Tjuvholmen skulpturpark. A walkway leads over canals to the Nobel Peace Centre, Oslo metropolis corridor and the brand new Nationwide Museum, which has an Edvard Munch exhibition — together with The Scream — one of many world’s most seen work.

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For extra of one of the best of Oslo, segue to the Harbour Promenade, a virtually 10-kilometre linear park alongside the fjord that passes via districts like vibrant Bjørvika. Right here you’ll see the Oslo Opera Home and MUNCH, one other museum with lots of the grasp’s very good works, in addition to particular options for youngsters, teenagers and the visually impaired.

The Thief’s assortment, curated by former director of the Nationwide Museum Sune Nordgren, is a smorgasbord of pictures, sculpture, digital artwork and Richard Prince’s “revalidations” (copies and new interpretations) of iconic works by Piet Mondrian and even the Marlboro Man images of Norm Clasen.

Interiors: Superbly designed with a curved glass façade and floor-to-ceiling home windows, The Thief glows day and evening with gentle from the altering sky and reflections from the Oslo Fjord. The slate gray and ocean blue partitions shimmer with gold, silver and bronze accents, and the sofas are coated in luxurious jewel-toned velvets. It’s an intimate and sensual environment.

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The 112 rooms and suites, layered with luxurious down bedding, are outfitted with rain showers (some with baths), art-on-demand on TV, espresso machines and in depth mini-bars. Many have balconies, and a few have two. Candy particulars embrace Balmain toiletries, deluxe bathrobes and night turn-down with natural tea and candies.

Meals/drink: The Thief Restaurant fuses Norwegian substances and French methods, so the delicacies is market-fresh and the sauces delicate, all creatively offered on custom-made tableware and tremendous white damask tablecloths.

At dinner, starters is likely to be beef tartare, natural smoked salmon, venison or langoustines with beurre blanc. Caviar performs a starring position, with even an reasonably priced selection from Nordic waters. Principal programs embrace sirloin steak, a young pork cutlet or cod (Norway’s staple, cooked to perfection). Gentle and flavourful desserts are yuzu tarte, chocolate fondant with espresso and cherries, or Norwegian cheeses. Look ahead to beef Wellington on Wednesdays and lobster and bubbles on Tuesdays.

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Lunch is a feast of such Norwegian specialties as Skagen toast (Nordic shrimp), lobster or oysters, plus salads or burgers.

The Thief Roof Grill and Bar are social hubs with nice views, in addition to craft cocktails, a connoisseur’s collection of rosé champagne and wine, and a signature seafood platter.

I did spot a true-to-life Twentieth-century Viking within the lounge. Norwegian journalist, film-maker and explorer Ragnar Thorseth conquered the North Pole (through Nunavut), rowed solo throughout the North Sea and captained a duplicate of a Viking sailboat all over the world.

Spa life: The Thief’s wellness experiences embrace a health centre (no cost) and a full-service spa (charges apply, $25-$38) that encompasses an indoor pool, Turkish steam, a Scandinavian sauna, massaging rain showers and sweetness and physique companies. Signature therapies embrace the Ikou Steadiness and Calm Ritual, which can soothe journey stress. For a grand finale, Norway-style, The Thief is adjoining to a canal with a staircase in case you are pumped for a dip within the Oslo Fjord.

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IF YOU GO

Oslo Tourism: visitoslo.com. Norway: innovationnorway.no.

The Thief: 47-24-00-40-00, thethief.com. Landgangen 1, Oslo, Norway. Member of Most well-liked Motels & Resorts. Accessible.

Value: Charges fluctuate. Could-to Sept.: from roughly $575 Canadian; Oct-April, from roughly $480, together with buffet breakfast, night turndown. Oct.-April will be decrease.

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