The Thief, located on the islet of Tjuvholmen in Oslo, offers a uniquely storied escape. Its name is a nod to the island’s 18th-century past, when it served as a hideout for smugglers and “thieves.” Today, the area has been completely transformed into a sleek hub for contemporary art and urban living, far removed from its shady history.
Designed by Mellbye Architects and opened in 2013, the hotel stands out as Norway’s only member of the prestigious Design Hotels group. The interiors are a masterclass in style, featuring curated contemporary art from the nearby Astrup Fearnley Museum and furniture hand-picked by designer Anemone Wille Våge. The hotel’s commitment to art is so deep that it even collaborated with the band Apparatjik to create unique in-room music experiences.
Beyond its artistic flair, the hotel offers a luxurious wellness sanctuary. Guests can unwind in a high-end spa that includes a Turkish hammam, a heated indoor pool, and a variety of saunas. For those looking to explore, the hotel’s rooftop terrace provides breathtaking, panoramic views of the Oslofjord, making it an ideal spot for a sunset drink.
The location is a dream for culture seekers. You are just steps away from the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art and a short, pleasant walk from the bustling Aker Brygge waterfront. Whether you’re interested in visiting the Nobel Peace Center or hopping on a boat to explore the fjord, The Thief serves as a sophisticated, centrally located base in Norway’s vibrant capital.
Expert reviews
“Overlooking the Astrup Fearnley Museum, Oslo’s best design hotel is more dark glamour than Scandinavian sparse, though is packed with playful touches from beautiful artisan objects to video art, and guests can max out on the luxe vibe at the hotel spa.”
“Oslo’s most tongue-in-cheek boutique hotel is located on Tjuvholmen, meaning Thief Islet, hence the unusual name. The lobby area has a sleek, contemporary design and accommodates a bronze statue and other artworks from the adjacent Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Oslo.
“This is a luxurious home-away-from-home happily situated on the island of Tjuvholmen, boasting glorious views over the harbor or across Oslofjord. The Thief drips bespoke style and comfort, showcasing hand-picked artworks plus individually designed bedrooms.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Oslo.
What guests liked
- Top location
- Comfortable beds
- Swimming pool
- Free Wifi
- Friendly staff
Location
Recent guest reviews
11 September 2025
Great location snd excelent quality equipment. Hotel’s roof top restaurant is very recommended
Location, cleanliness, very good quality room equipment
Spa and gym at extra payment
4 September 2025
Fabulous
Great location and staff
Nothing
3 September 2025
Fabulous
The gym
21 August 2025
I would return to The Thief again!
Picture appears to have many rooms that face the marina…if I leaned out on our balance you could see the water and we paid for a corner junior suite. Breakfast was wonderful and the location was perfect….you could walk around everywhere without car traffic.
Wish room views were better.
20 August 2025
Excellent- modern, comfortable and with lovely service
A beautiful property at the end of the marina so in a lovely, quiet location with views of the bay. Very comfortable beds and a great shower.
The main restaurant was supposed to be open for dinner but was closed. The rooftop restaurant was a bit soulless with a very limited menu. The rooftop bar was lovely though.
19 August 2025
Exceptional
The breakfast was incredible - one of the best hotel breakfasts I can remember. The room was spacious, with an extremely comfortable bed. Cocktail bar had a great atmosphere and some great drinks on the menu. This is how hotels should be run!
10 August 2025
Really fun hotel, would definitely come back
Nice ambiance and facilities
8 August 2025
Almost perfect
Almost everything.
We do love this hotel and have stayed here before. Not enough complimentary water bottles provided for 2 people. So we were given one 500 ml bottle to supposedly last us a day. Had to keep asking for more. In-house dining options are severely limited and kitchen closes around 9:30 pm. Things shouldn't be like this in a supposedly Five star hotel.
28 July 2025
Perfect place to visit Oslo
Fabulous quirky hotel Amazing staff Rooftop restaurant and bar were great
The tea wasn’t great but I can drink tea at home
21 July 2025
Exceptional
Loved the breakfast and the rooftop bar. The staff were great.
10 July 2025
Yuppy excess in the best possible sense.
Hip and modern and a terrific spa.
No notes.
8 July 2025
Nice
Very good
Too small space…too busy at breakfast time
3 July 2025
Great hotel in Oslo!!
Amazing place and services, amazing breakfast. Location!!!
Expensive!, first floor bar closed during Summer!!!!!
13 June 2025
Highly recommended
Great vibe
Not a front view position and low floor
26 April 2025
Best location in Oslo. Outstanding hotel
Outstanding location on the water in a very scenic part of Oslo. Friendly staff. Wonderful room and great breakfast.
Can’t think of anything
29 March 2025
Exceptional
I'm a vegan, breakfast was great. No trouble finding something to eat
17 March 2025
Highly Recommend it! Put it in your list!!
Incredible atmosphere and hotel right in the heart of Oslo one of the most amazing cities in the world The breakfast is the best ever!
Nothing!!
20 February 2025
Perfect Oslo Dream
The decor is gorgeous, the staff so friendly and attentive. Breakfast was delivered to the room with a delicious selection.
Nothing !
8 February 2025
Exceptional
location and the to-go breakfast option when we were checking out was a game changer
that the sauna was extra for hotel guests
17 January 2025
Perfect introduction to Oslo
Perfect location and an easy walk to various nice spots and attractions. The breakfast is out of this world and the personnel simply the best!
12 December 2024
Exceptional
Everything
Nothing everything perfect
5 November 2024
Super sleek hotel in a great location.
Great location. Breakfast was superb. Excellent bar.
Better lighting throughout. It's a bit dark in both communal areas and in the room.
12 October 2024
Well presented hotel in the heart of Oslo
Very much recommended this stunning hotel by the port in Oslo. Very well presented modern hotel. The rooms are spacious and relaxing. On site restaurants and bars are worth visiting. The breakfast buffet is extensive with loads of gluten free options, special mention for the gluten free granola.
8 October 2024
Excellent location to explore Oslo on foot
Excellent location, great starting point to explore Oslo, junior suite with enough room, balconies and fair view, very clean and tidy, good breakfast buffet, nice bar at ground level, speedy laundry service, also close to the ferry terminals - where we left going home
nothing really to complain about, may breakfast closes too early...
17 September 2024
Would stay there again
The location by the water was great. Excellent walking and very close proximity to Aker Brugge and restaurants near by. Excellent breakfast!
3 September 2024
A great time in the heart of Oslo
An exceptionally good Concierge - went well past her duty
29 August 2024
Appropriate name for the place
The location
The room was very small and there are only a few drawers. The staff in the reception came across as arrogant; they did not even pretend that they would take care of the luggage upon arrival. The whole place is more about style than quality.
21 August 2024
Fantastic stay at The Thief. Certainly coming back.
Breakfast is exceptional! Location is incredible and the room is super confy. We loved it.
20 August 2024
comfortable
breakast great stff friendly
spa refused my reserva tion at reception desk
6 August 2024
Fantastic stay from start to finish in an excellent location…highly recommend!
Everything from start to finish…
The dark lighting in the bathrooms
2 August 2024
Chic contemporary charm in a beautiful area of Oslo
This property is literally perfect in every way.. Modern, convenient, comfortable and welcoming with an awesome staff across the board .. The location is absolutely ideal for exploring the waterfront and it is just a short enjoyable walk into the town center .. Couldn't ask for better!
29 July 2024
Fabulous
Our stay at The Thief was wonderful! From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles and exceptional service. The staff went above and beyond to make our 10th anniversary celebration special. The room, though a bit small, was luxurious and beautifully designed, with a stunning view. The amenities were top-notch, and we particularly enjoyed the spa and the exquisite breakfast at the restaurant. Every detail was thoughtfully considered, and the atmosphere was both relaxing and sophisticated. The hotel's location is perfect, offering easy access to Aker Brygge and other attractions. Thank you to everyone at The Thief for making our stay so memorable. We can't wait to return!
22 July 2024
Oslo surpassed our expectations
The location is fabulous and the views of the fjord are wonderful. The staff were very friendly and helpful.
16 July 2024
High quality accommodation in a great location right in the heart of Oslo's social quarter
Breakfast is excellent, reception staff wonderful, location perfect. Modern and clean and professional.
The rooms are a bit small and the hotel has tried to fit in a little coffee table and two sitting chairs, but it just feels uncomfortable. Simplify it for better effect. And then get rid of those huge pillows, which take up all the space and have no purpose.
13 July 2024
A modern, smart hotel in an excellent location with good eating facilities and friendly staff.
The location of the hotel was excellent as it was surrounded by cafes, bars and restaurants and only a short walk into Oslo centre. The staff were very helpful and friendly. Breakfast was very good with wide range of options.
The room on the whole was lovely but there were two irritations. When we arrived, there were 10 pillows and cushions on the bed with very little room to put them anywhere and the safe was at floor level which meant that you had to lie flat on the floor to check that you had not left anything behind.
17 June 2024
Exceptional
Delicious breakfast and wonderful rooftop bar with spectacular views. Great location close to many of the key museums. Large comfortable room with all modern amenities and a great view over the water. Friendly and helpful staff.
Not really anything
25 May 2024
Overall very good
All very nice and slick Very good and helpful service
Time restrictions on the spa - opening hours prevented an early visit to the pool. Found that annoying.
21 May 2024
Very good
Location was good.
PARKING was very expensive.
15 May 2024
Fabulous
Several excellent Restaurants just around the corner Bus stop ca 400 Meter away
10 May 2024
Great stay in the perfect location in Oslo!
Amazing stay at this hotel overall, friendly staff and great organic breakfast. The location is perfect to visit the city, quiet and close to the sea. The bed was comfortable and the heated floor in the bathroom and bathtub was definitely a plus!
We wish the access to the spa (pool, sauna) was included given the price of the room. The rooftop bar area/experience could have been more elevated and there was no turndown service.
5 May 2024
Wonderful!
The hotel is absolutely amazing! The location is beautiful with a very easy access to restaurants, bars and the port. The breakfast was delicious, a perfect start of the day.
13 April 2024
Fabulous stay
Great gym Friendly staff
Nothing
6 April 2024
Exceptional
The location is great. The hotel is modern and well equipped. Showers and bed very comfy. Breakfast was fantastic!
24 March 2024
Excellent
Excellent
The rain shower head in bathroom needs cleaning. Dine if holes blocked.
11 March 2024
great stay
The reception staff were super friendly they made my stay wonderful. they were super helpful and professional. the location was exceptional and everything was close by a walking distance. there were multiple options of cafes and restaurants available around the hotel to choose from.
The room lightning should be brighter, its very dark. also I believe that the room service hours should be extended as they close by 10 pm which is pretty early. hence I would suggest making the room service 24 hours available.
1 March 2024
Stay were just lovely
Loved the spa. Mud face mask and salt rub for the steam rooms. Delicious breakfast.
My only criticism was that room service closed at 10 pm because they were renovating the kitchen. We therefore had to rush a little when we got there. This won’t be an issue in the future and otherwise they were outstanding!
26 February 2024
Great location and, lovely hotel but could improve with attention to detail
The spa
Netflix on the tv stopped working. The water in the shower takes 3 minutes to warm up and finish in the bathroom was poor
26 February 2024
Exceptional
nice breakfast, lovely place
not good bed for me ( too soft)
24 February 2024
Fabulous
Breakfast was great
Having to pay an entrance fee for the spa/pool
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Barber/beauty shop
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Soundproof rooms
- - Heating
- - Allergy-free room
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Shuttle service (additional charge)
- - Airport shuttle (additional charge)
- - Minimarket on site
- - Pet bowls
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Fax/photocopying
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Express check-in/check-out
- - Luggage storage
- - Concierge service
- - Private check-in/check-out
- - Invoice provided
Activities
- - Sauna (additional charge)
- - Fitness centre
- - Fishing (additional charge)
- - Spa & wellness centre (additional charge)
- - Massage (additional charge)
- - Children's playground
- - Hammam (additional charge)
- - Indoor pool (additional charge)
- - Indoor pool (all year) (additional charge)
- - Beauty services
- - Facial treatments
- - Make-up services
- - Manicure
- - Pedicure
- - Body scrub
- - Body wrap
- - Spa facilities
- - Steam room
- - Spa lounge/relaxation area
- - Foot bath
- - Spa/wellness packages
- - Back massage
- - Neck massage
- - Foot massage
- - Head massage
- - Hand massage
- - Full body massage
- - Fitness
- - Fitness/spa locker rooms
- - Beach
- - Bicycle rental (additional charge)
Outdoors
- - Terrace
- - Sun terrace
Entertainment & family services
- - Babysitting/child services (additional charge)
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service
- - Trouser press (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Parking
- - Parking garage
- - Electric vehicle charging station
- - Accessible parking
Pool and wellness
- - Heated pool
- - Swimming pool
- - Swimming pool
Transport
- - Airport pick up (additional charge)
- - Airport drop off (additional charge)
Miscellaneous
- - Key card access
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Breakfast takeaway containers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Face masks for guests available

More photos

16 September 2025
Very good