Last updated July 2018
The history of Losby Gods, or Losby Manor, stretches all the way back to 1850. It was originally built as a hunting lodge to house hunters and other prominent guests. One of them was King Haakon VII who enjoyed himself so much here that he even had his own room at the lodge. Today Losby Gods have a modern hotel wing with 70 guest rooms, and you can even rent a suite furnished with the bed specially made for King Haakon VII!
We arrived at Losby Gods in the afternoon and were greeted by a friendly receptionist. The check-in process was efficiently handled, and we were off to our room in no time.
Our standard double room was surprisingly big and airy. In addition to a bed and a work desk, there was a comfortable wing chair and a small table. The minibar offered a selection of mineral water, beer, sparkling wine and snacks. The cleanliness was good, with a small exception of the windows that could have used a shine.
The bathroom, on the other hand, was sparkling clean, and the towels were thick and fluffy. One likable detail was the octagonal shape of the room. Shampoo and conditioner were provided in miniature bottles, while the hand- and shower gel came in dispensers.
Before dinner, we headed outside for some fresh air. Strolling around in the beautifully planted and well-kept garden while sipping coffee, was especially enjoyable on a sunny day. Next to the manor are two golf courses with 9 and 18 holes. These seemed very popular, and there were many golf players around.
Losby Gods has a perfect location for nature lovers. In close vicinity is plenty of hiking- and biking trails which takes you into the wonderful Østmarka woods. It was precisely the location, the beautiful nature and the excellent hunting conditions that made the manor so popular among the guests visiting Losby in the early 1900s.
The walk in the fresh autumn air worked up our appetite, and we headed to the restaurant for dinner. As we arrived, we were slightly disappointed that the normal menu was replaced by a somewhat limited one. The staff informed us that this was due to several other events taking place at Losby Gods that day.
We could choose between two starters, a main course, a cheese plate and a dessert. Unfortunately, we were not too tempted by the set menu, but the kitchen was very accommodating and made us burgers instead. The food arrived quickly and was tasty.
The highlight of the meal was the dessert, consisting of a trio of chocolate cake, crème brûlée and strawberry sorbet. We left the restaurant pleased with the meal, although we think the hotel should have let us know about the limited menu when we made the reservation for the restaurant.
For more dining alternatives, check out our 7 food favorites in Oslo (20-30 min away by car).
The other events taking place at the manor also put a small damper on the rest of the evening. We had looked forward to enjoying a drink in the old wing of the hotel, but this area was reserved for a private party, and we, therefore, had to change our plans. Luckily there was plenty of space in the bar, and we enjoyed a lovely and fizzy Aperol Spritz there.
The breakfast was excellent in both range and quality but was somewhat chaotic due to the number of guests. The hotel was fully booked during our stay, and although the staff worked hard, they had problems restocking the buffet and cleaning the tables fast enough for new guests. A few more staff members would surely have eased the breakfast situation.
All in all, we were satisfied with our stay at Losby Gods. The picturesque location combined with tasty food and informal, but good service, makes this place well worth visiting. The price is also very reasonable. The highlight of our stay was exploring the old wing with its original and particularly charming decor.
Don’t miss!
-A tour of the old wing.
Tips:
Borrow bikes for free and go for a ride in Østmarka. The hotel has excellent maps showing the many walking- and biking trails close to the manor.
