The Thief – stealing guests from their everyday lives
As its name indicates, the small island of Tjuvholmen was given its name in the 18th century (it translates as “Thief Island”) - because it was used to incarcerate thieves and other villains and was one of Oslo’s execution grounds. Until the 21st century Tjuvholmen remained a forgotten border to the sea. Oslo’s skyline has changed radically in the past five years and so has its footprint, but nothing has brought more to the inhabitants of this oil-rich city, than the district of Tjuvholmen.
Oft described as ‘a small town within a city’… and aptly so, this area is Oslo’s hottest district for art and architecture including a cool luxury boutique hotel with an arty edge. Celebrating its 5th year since it opened in January 2013, the 120 room ‘Thief’ which takes its name from Tjuvholmen nickname, ‘Thief Island’ is verily a true sanctuary that never felt so comfortable and secluded yet connected. Redefining Norwegian luxury for the visitor, all its rooms are warm, in shades of rich brown with glints of gold and granite and views over the Oslo Fjord as befits the city’s first waterfront hotel.
At the ‘Thief’ if anything gets stolen, it’s usually the hotel stealing guests away from their everyday lives - practically adapting to the hotel’s slogan “Steals you away from everyday life”. This design-focused hotel glitters with modern art, from Julian Opie’s wonderful animated video installations in the lift, where serene women blink at you when you least expect it, to the Andy Warhol which looks down on to your Jerusalem-artichoke-cured leg of lamb.
The ‘Thief’ has filled its retreat with top international art pieces, carefully selected designer furniture, and global cuisine where escapees can enjoy dips in the sea at the Tjuvholmen sea or stroll off the islet across the footbridge to the bustling Acker Brygge restaurant and business area.
In the world of hospitality, this surely is a rare instance of making the most of a bad reputation. HSL |
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