We review The Well Hotel & Spa in Oslo, Norway and discover a wonderland of relaxation perfect for every season

Housed in heritage buildings or eclectic new builds, the best Oslo hotels promise exquisite service and friendly Norwegian hospitality. But there’s something uniquely special about The Well Hotel & Spa. Just a 15-minute drive from the centre of Oslo, the largest Nordic spa is an oasis of tranquillity and relaxation, no matter the season.

A review of The Well Hotel & Spa in Oslo

If you live in London, or are travelling from there, Oslo is just a short sub two-hour flight away, meaning you can be at the property and switching off in just a few hours. Having already visited and loved our stay in winter, we headed back to the adults-only The Well Hotel & Spa to switch off, reset, and check out the springtime vibes.

The Spa and Sauna

Glorious. That’s the word I’d choose if I could only choose one to describe spending time at The Well’s Spa and Sauna.

Guests are treated to an array of options across multiple floors, from Jacuzzis (indoor or outdoor) to swimming pools, 15 different saunas each at different temperatures and with differing views, and bathing rituals from across the globe including Hammam and Rhassoul treatments.

When we visited in winter, our favourite part was the Japanese bathing area. We loved sitting outside in the onsen bath as the snow gently fell, relaxing as we looked out into the surrounding Norwegian forest. Inside, the Japanese Meditation Room was the perfect spot to keep warm and cosy as we read our books on wooden recliners.

In late June though, we were treated to exceptionally sunny weather, so we hung out by the large outdoor pool a lot, reading and taking dips to cool off. The garden is wild and full of lavender which not only smells divine but also draws a wonderful array of butterflies and bees that adds to the natural feeling across the property.

We also loved exploring the sculpture garden in the forest, where a slow wander through the towering trees felt deeply healing for the soul. Lise from Guest Relations recommended we spend some time in the Forest Sauna first and then do the walk naked, and I can highly recommend taking in the works by the likes of Antony Gormley both during the day or when the path is lit up in the evening.

As we were staying for an entire week in June, my partner and I decided that on certain afternoons, we would each plan a bespoke journey for each other from the different things happening on the weekly schedule of events. On my afternoon, I upgraded us to a cabana by the pool and had us signed up for a Hot & Cold ritual at the Banja Sauna. We were treated to a ceremony that moved between a very hot sauna and dips in the cool pool. Though the first time, I could only get in the ice water up to my knees, by the end, I was sitting with my shoulders under the water like a pro!

When it was my partner’s turn to design the afternoon, we enjoyed a therapeutic salt scrub in one of the steam rooms before hitting up the Art Deco baths, and finishing off with drinks by the pool bar. Side note here: you have to try the locally-made raspberry drink, it’s so tasty.

Across both of our visits though, our favourite thing to enjoy was the Aufguss rituals. If you haven’t done this before, it’s a sensory treat you have to look forward to, with Aufguss meaning infusion in German. Basically, everyone piles into the sauna as per usual, but there is an Aufguss Master who leads the session, playing music and with essential oil-infused ice balls which permeate the sauna with flavours such as fir, yuzu, and patchouli. The Master moves through the space fanning you with towels and it’s almost like this rhythmic dance as the flavours travel through the space mixed with the spontaneous bursts of hot and cool air.

Depending on whether it’s a low, medium, or hot version, they tend to last between about 12-6 minutes and my partner and I are completely obsessed (we first discovered the Aufguss ritual when we stayed ay My Arbor in the Dolomites), so much so that he did seven of these across the course of one of our days.

We actually arrived at the start of Pride Week, which was a wonderful time to stay and experience everything from the opening DJ party by the pool deck to the Pride-themed Aufguss sessions in the spa, featuring multiple Aufguss Masters, LGBTQ+ classic tunes, and more rainbow flags than you could shake a stick at.

Continental bathing rules

As is typical in many European countries, the property practices continental bathing rules, which encourages nudity where it feels natural. In the saunas, guests are required to sit on towels so that no skin touches the benches and no swimwear is allowed. A peshtamel can be worn for modesty and these are available from a cupboard in the spa reception next to where you collect your towels.

If you do want to wear swimwear across the rest of the spaces, the property only allows their own brand to be worn as the pieces are crafted from specialist fabrics. There’s a selection of different styles available from bikinis and one pieces to trunks in different shapes. Once you’ve purchased a suit, you can wear it each time you visit.

On Tuesdays, swimwear is mandatory for everyone.

Other treatments

Of course there is a spa onsite too and we were treated to a thoroughly relaxing duo massage where Annie and Julia worked their magic with special attention to the back and neck. I’d definitely recommend this if you’re looking for some special time with someone or if you’re just wanting to completely unwind.

I also had a deep cleansing facial with extractions that left my skin feeling so soft and bouncy. My therapist used a blend of Elemis and Babor products and took the time to chat through my skin health and her product recommendations afterwards which I really appreciated.

Dining and drinks

When it comes to dining and drinks, there are a few different options for guests. Breakfast at the property is fantastic. Served at Brasseriet, it includes a selection of vegan charcuterie, ginger shots, and a range of housemade pickles, cakes, and local fish. I fell in love with the cold scrambled eggs which were absolutely divine and paired perfectly with the hot smoked salmon and pickled cucumbers. They also do a lovely chia pudding which is fully vegan which I devoured daily.

This is also where guests can come from lunch, dinner or across the day. You’re welcome to wear your robe here so the vibe is very chill. My regular order here is the Rekesmørbrød which is a ton of freshly peeled local prawns on sourdough bread. They also have a selection of pizzas, burgers, and snacks.

Up at Restaurant Mori, the vibe changes completely and you’ll find yourself in a fine dining experience with sweeping views of the forest. We started our meal with a cocktail on the terrace as the sun stays shining until around 11pm in the warmer months. When we moved inside, we decided to try the 7-course tasting menu, and they were happy to substitute a pescatarian version for me. The highlights for me were the scallop that was served with jalapeno and mint (a flavour sensation I would never have expected) and the sensational strawberry dessert that came with shiso shortbread and white chocolate.

The art

The art! It would be remiss of me not to mention the works that line the hallways and grounds of The Well. The property is actually the brainchild of entrepreneur Stein Erik Hagen who has kindly shared his epic art collection with guests.

A collection of striking Maplethorpe prints casually hang in the conference centre, while works by local artists like Nico Widerberg and Emanuel Vigeland are exceptional introductions into the world of Norwegian art.

For me, the works by Ludvig Eikaas become an obsession and thankfully plenty are on display across the hotel. His style seems to change repeatedly and I took great delight in discovering pieces that I would have never have guessed were conceived by the same artist.

The room

In June, we had a Signature Room with a terrace. While the terrace was lovely to enjoy a coffee on in the mornings, it wasn’t big enough to fit a chair, so I’d personally opt for the Signature Cove room which comes with a reading nook or one of the Suites that are a bit more spacious. The beds are ridiculously comfy with fluffy duvets and wonderful heating for during the winter months.

For us, the room was really only for sleeping as we spent most days pool-side enjoying the different sauna activities and reading our books, so the simplicity of the TV-free room was absolutely perfect. The addition of the property’s own-brand products in the bathroom is a lovely touch and these can also be purchased from the spa shop.

The hotel also offers a range of packages including things like spa treatments and romantic extras which are really good value, so be sure to take a look at them before booking.

Other bits to know

As the priority for space has been given to the Spa/Sauna, the gym is smaller than I would have expected. Home to a selection of cardio machines, free weights, and cable machines, it has everything you need for a solid workout. Most of the times that I went during both my visits to the property, I had the place to myself. However, it tends to get crowded around 9am on greyer days. There’s an outdoor terrace perfect for sprints, weights, or for when you want to do your yoga or stretching outside. I used it during our latest stay and appreciated the option to work out in the fresh air.

The hotel also has a selection of conference and event facilities including meeting rooms and event spaces.

Getting there from London

Last time we visited, we flew Norwegian direct from Gatwick. At the airport, follow the signs to the trains. The Flytoget Airport Express train runs from the airport to Oslo Central and you can just use contactless or buy a ticket from the station. The train has charging for EU plugs but not USBs, along with toilets and spaces for luggage. Announcements are made in Norwegian and English plus there is a digital screen that shows all the stops.

We jumped off at Oslo Central last time and headed over for a seafood feast at Fiskeriet before grabbing the bus to the hotel (both the 81 and the 84e drop you right opposite the property) which takes about 20 minutes. For buses in Oslo, you need to buy tickets through the Ruter app which is very straightforward. We would just buy them as we were waiting for the bus as the tickets run out after 60 minutes. You only have to show the tickets if requested, so you don’t have to scan them when you board or disembark.

Citymapper works in Oslo and is really handy to help with route planning.

The verdict

The fact that we’re repeat guests (and are planning an autumn visit as we speak!) really says it all. The hardest part is slipping off that wristband and robe and heading back to reality. Thankfully, The Well Spa Set I purchased before I left allows me to have a little slice of glorious self-care every Sunday until the next time.

Discover more about The Well Hotel & Spa or Book through Booking.com

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