Sweden - Becky Ohlsen [158]
Lisebergs Camping & Stugbyar Kärralund (84 02 00; karralund@liseberg.se; Olbergsgatan 1; sites low/high season with car Skr225/375, cabins & chalets from Skr495/595) Liseberg fun park owns and operates a range of accommodation around Göteborg. Located 4km east of central Göteborg, this family-friendly campsite is the closest one to town (tram 5 to Welandergatan), with 35 unreservable tent sites – so turn up early.
Hostels
Most hostels are clustered in the central southwestern area, in apartment buildings that sometimes inspire little confidence from the outside, but inside offer accommodation of a very high standard. All are open year-round.
STF Vandrarhem Stigbergsliden (24 16 20; www.hostel-gothenburg.com; Stigbergsliden 10; dm/d from Skr150/350; ) In a renovated 19th-century seaman’s institute (take tram 3, 9 or 11 to Stigbergstorget), this is a hostel with history. Staff are greatly helpful, and besides the usual stuff (big kitchen, laundry, TV room), perks include a sheltered garden and bike rental (Skr50 per day).
STF Vandrarhem Slottsskogen (42 65 20; www.sov.nu; Vegagatan 21; dm Skr185-210, s/d Skr345/490; ) Unlike many Swedish hostels, big, friendly Slottsskogen is a cracking place for meeting other travellers. For a small extra payment there’s access to a laundry, sauna and sun bed, and the buffet breakfast (Skr55) is brilliant. Parking spaces can be booked for a fee and reception is closed between noon and 2pm. Take tram 1 or 6 to Olivedalsgatan.
Masthuggsterrassens Vandrarhem (42 48 20; www.mastenvandrarhem.com; Masthuggsterrassen 10H; dm/d Skr190/480; ) If you’re after a good night’s sleep, try this clean, quiet, well-run place. Fine facilities include three lounges, three kitchens and a little library (mostly Swedish books), and it’s handy if you’re catching an early ferry to Denmark. Take tram 3, 9 or 11 to Masthuggstorget and follow the signs.
Göteborgs Vandrarhem (40 10 50; www.goteborgsvandrarhem.se; Mölndalsvägen 23; dm/s/d Skr250/550/550) Nifty for those desperate to get to Liseberg as early as possible, extras include a sauna and big sunny terrace. Take tram 4 to Getebergsäng.
Kvibergs Vandrarhem & Stugby (43 50 55; www.vandrarhem.com; Kvibergsvägen 5; low season 1-/2-/3-/4-bed r Skr270/360/460/560, high season 2-/3-/4-bed r Skr475/580/700; ) This sterling SVIF hostel, a few kilometres northeast of the city centre (tram 6, 7 or 11), boasts super amenities, including flatscreen TVs, wi-fi, sauna, sun beds, laundry, table tennis, two kitchens and two lounges. There are no dorms; you rent out the entire room. Hotel-style rooms and cabins are also available.
Also recommended:
Göteborgs Mini-Hotel (24 10 23; www.minihotel.se; Tredje Långgatan 31; dm Skr150-190, d Skr400) The spartan rooms might lack warmth, but they’re clean, cheap and close to the Linné district’s buzzing bars and cafes. Breakfast is available June to August.
Linné Vandrarhem (12 10 60; www.vandrarhemmet-linne.com, in Swedish; Vegagatan 22; dm first night Skr280, subsequent nights Skr220, 2-/3-bed r Skr440/660; ) Down the road from Slottsskogen, this SVIF hostel is another good option with bike hire (Skr50 per day).
Hotels
BUDGET
City Hotel Vid Avenyn (708 40 00; www.cityhotelgbg.se; Lorensbergsgatan 6; s/d without bathroom from Skr495/595) The City represents excellent value for such a central hotel (within yards of Sweden’s ‘Champs Élysées’). Staff are friendly, rooms are comfy and for about Skr200 extra you can have a private bathroom. A continental breakfast (included in the room price) is brought to your door, or for Skr25 more you can opt for the breakfast buffet at the new in-house restaurant-pub (which boasts 60 varieties of beer).
MIDRANGE
Grand Hotel Opera (80 50 80; www.hotelopera.se; Norra Hamngatan 38; s/d budget Skr795/1095, standard Skr1195/1495;