Guest User
September 2, 2023
The hotel's interior design is not for the faint of heart - let alone for a guest with any neurological health issues. My guess it was designed in the 90's, and poorly maintained ever since. I will not comment on design, only on safety, welfare and health.
Peeling paint, dirty wall corners, old-cooking-oil carpet smell in the corridors, confusing signage, dusty artificial plants as decoration in public places. Inside the room - no air conditioner, lack of any instruction (even on how to connect to wi-fi), no brochure on attractions of the area, no coffeemaker/tea kettle, no safe for valuables. Very slippery when wet floors in the bathroom. Slippery plastic mosaic walls. Leaky shower hose and heads. No soap toiletries' holder. No holding wall-mounted bar in the shower. Toilet paper holder mounted on the back wall, so one has to be an acrobat to reach behind when in seated position. I spent one night, so could tolerate all of this, but I can see how inconvenient a longer stay will be. I witnessed a conversation in Reception: a long-staying guest complained the washing machine did not work, and the receptionist questioned him how he tried to fix it - instead of immediately apologizing and calling a maintenance worker to remedy it.
A breakfast was a bright spot. Incredible variety of hot and cold dishes, meat, fish, dairy and pastries, drinks and breads in a buffet style - I was very pleasantly surprised.
Transportation to the airport was disappointing.
The hotel website offers fixed prices to airport: "All guests at Magic Hotel Solheimsviken receive fixed rates at Christiania Taxi. Use the iPad at reception when ordering. CHRISTIANIA TAXI To Flesland Airport - NOK 350" (which is about US$35) See: https://en.magichotels.no/fixed-benefits/christiania-taxi
When I asked for transport to airport for next morning, I was not told of the iPad ordering procedure, instead the receptionist offered to order a taxi for me herself. She said to expect to pay 55-60 NOK, which I attributed to a misunderstanding. Actual bill came at ~670NOK, plus a tip, which made it more than a double of what the hotel stated will be the charge. So I was forced to overpay about $35, and was put in a situation w/ no choice, as I had to be in airport in time for security check to my flight.
Overall, I will recommend this hotel only to a certain type of guest: young, athletic and healthy student. All others should look for something else.