The Grand Hotel Oslo stands as one of Norway’s most iconic landmarks, welcoming guests to the heart of the capital since 1874. Situated on Karl Johans gate, just a few steps from the Royal Palace and Oslo’s vibrant cultural scene, the hotel has long been a natural meeting place for travellers, artists, world leaders and locals alike.

Throughout its more than 150-year history, the Grand Hotel has been a stage for historic moments and remarkable encounters. From celebrations of polar explorer Roald Amundsen to hosting Nobel Peace Prize laureates, the hotel has played a unique role in Norway’s cultural and social life. Each December 10th, the Nobel laureate waves to the torchlight procession from the balcony of the famous Nobel Suite. A tradition that has become part of the hotel’s legacy.

Today, the Grand Hotel Oslo blends historic elegance with contemporary comfort. The hotel offers 284 refined guest rooms and suites, exceptional meeting and event spaces. There’s a collection of distinctive dining experiences, including the iconic Palmen restaurant, award-winning Othilia lobby bar and Eight Rooftop Bar with panoramic views of Oslo.

Whether visiting for a stay, a meal, or a special occasion, every moment at the Grand carries the spirit of a true landmark.

e-Interview with General Manager Toril Flåskjer
The Chaîne News Online put some questions to General Manager Toril Flåskjer, who is now Bailli of Oslo, having joined the Chaîne in 2010 as a Maître Hôtelier. Here are her replies:

Looking ahead, what is your greatest ambition or goal?
After nearly three decades as a General Manager, success is no longer measured only by occupancy rates, guest satisfaction scores, or financial performance. Those things matter, of course but at this stage of my career, what matters most is the people who will carry the industry forward. Developing the next generation of leaders is important. Leaving a strong culture behind, sharing experience and wisdom, finishing with the same passion I started with and leaving the hotel stronger than I found it.

What crucial piece of advice would you give hospitality students to give their careers true “rocket fuel”?
Hospitality is one of the few industries where technical skills alone rarely create the top performers. What accelerates careers is the ability to consistently deliver experiences that guests remember and talk about. To develop exceptional emotional intelligence, see and read your guests. Success often lies in the details. People remember how you make them feel. Be relentlessly curious and keep up with the latest trends. Treat every shift like an audition and build relationship everywhere. Network is extremely important. Then you will be noticed by management and career opportunities will open up.

Reflecting on the start of your career, what wisdom would you offer your younger self?
Don’t rush the journey. Master the craft of hospitality, taking care of people with professionalism and warmth and the career progress will follow naturally. Focus on learning, build relationship, pay attention to details, take care of yourselves and stay curious to people and cultures.

If you had known then what you know now, how might your decisions have differed?
Looking back over a long career in hospitality, there are certainly moments where experience would have changed some of my decisions. If I had known then what I know now, a few things might have been different. But all in all, it feels good to look back and I'm proud of where I am today.

What three qualities do you believe are most essential for success in the hospitality industry?
Empathy for guests, resilience under pressure, and strong teamwork create the foundation for a thriving hospitality career.

What inspires you - and how do you believe you inspire others?
What inspires me most is people and the impact we can create together. I’m also inspired by the energy of a great team. When people from different backgrounds and departments work together toward a common goal, the results can be remarkable. In a hotel, success is never the result of one person. It’s the outcome of teamwork, trust, and shared pride in what we do. Then we will also provide great results for the owners. And in the end, what inspires me is seeing people succeed and grow. When it comes to inspiring others, I believe it starts with leading by example. I also try to inspire through empowerment and recognition. Finally, I believe inspiration comes from sharing a clear vision.

Toril Flåskjer’s professional career history:
• Graduated from the Norwegian School of Hotel Management in 1985.
• Sales and Front desk Manager at Hotel Stefan 1986-1990.
• Vice-President of Operations and Projects, Inter Nor Hotels 1990-1996.
• Vice-President of Franchise, Inter Nor Hotels 1996-1997.
• General Manager at five different Scandic Hotels from 1997 until 2018 including new openings.
• General Manager at Grand Hotel Oslo from 2018- present
• A number of board positions and chairman roles over the years. Now five boards and four chairman roles.

In the Chaîne, Toril joined as a Maître Hôtelier in 2010. She was promoted to be a Chargée de Missions in 2019. However, in February 2026, Toril took on the responsibility of running a local Bailliage by becoming Bailli of Oslo. We wish her well in this new role.

Prepared by a Chaîne News Online Staff Writer
Researched from various sources. E&OE