Sweden - Becky Ohlsen [196]
STF Vandrarhem Västerås/Quality Hotel (30 38 00; info.vasteras@quality.choicehotels.se; Svalgången 1, Vallby; dm/s/d Skr205/390/520; ) A couple of kilometres out of town, this hotel offers hostel accommodation through STF in about a dozen of its regular hotel rooms. The building is a crazy suburban-industrial colossus with its exterior and common areas painted entirely in varying shades of white. Glass roofs over some of the rooms let in the long summer nights (if you want them to).
There’s a bar and restaurant in the lobby, as well as a pool table, a sauna and a swimming pool.
Klipper Hotel (41 00 00; www.klipperhotel.com; Kungsgatan 4; budget r Skr395, s/d incl breakfast & dinner from Skr595/1190; ) The attractive, family-run Klipper has one of the best locations in the city, near the river in the old town and 700m from the bus and train stations. The comfortable (if smallish) rooms are simple and fresh. Parking costs Skr50.
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ARTY ALTERNATIVE LODGINGS
In addition to Västerås’ normal, run-of-the-mill hotels, there are two unique accommodation possibilities in and around town. Both created by local artist Mikael Genberg, they are well worth investigating if you like your lodgings with a twist.
The Hotell Hackspett (Woodpecker Hotel) is a fabulous tree house in the middle of Vasaparken, behind the Konstmuseum. The cabin is 13m above the ground in an old oak tree; guests (and breakfast) are hoisted up and down in a basket. The second of Genberg’s fascinating creations is the Utter Inn, a small, red, floating cabin in the middle of Mälaren lake, only accessible by boat. The bedroom is downstairs – 3m below the surface – and is complete with glass viewing panels to watch the marine life outside. There’s room for two people, and a canoe is provided.
Accommodation in the tree house or lake cabin costs Skr1000 per person per night if you bring your own food and bed linen; the ‘deluxe package’ (when linen is supplied and you will be delivered food in the evening and breakfast in the morning) is Skr1500 per person. Both places can be booked through the Västerås tourist office Click here. Genberg also has a website (www.mikaelgenberg.com); it’s in Swedish, but the photographs will give you an idea of his creations.
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First Hotel Plaza (10 10 10; reservations.plaza@firsthotels.se; Karlsgatan 9A; s/d from Skr850/1250, discounted to Skr650/850; ) Bang in the centre of the modern city, this 25-storey skyscraper was built for gravity-defying lounge lizards: it boasts the highest cocktail bar in Sweden! Some rooms have views over Mälaren lake, and there’s a spa with masseurs, a sauna, a gym and a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant.
Elite Stadshotellet (10 28 00; info@vasteras.elite.se; Stora Torget; s/d from Skr1250/1500, discounted to Skr550/795; ) Many of the rooms at the Elite, in a lovely art-nouveau building, have prime views over the main square – request one if you like people-watching. The decor is tasteful (pale walls, leafy bedspreads and mahogany timber), the staff are obliging and there’s a highly regarded restaurant and English-style pub attached.
Eating & Drinking
La Tapita (448 03 33; Stora Gatan 46; tapas Skr25-55, mains Skr70-185; 11am-11pm Mon-Fri, 5-11pm Sat) This Spanish-themed tapas bar and restaurant has a mellow atmosphere, enhanced by Latin music and piles of southern Mediterranean grub. Nibble an array of tapas, tuck into pasta, fish and meat mains, or share a paella Valenciana with a friend.
Bill & Bobs (41 99 21; Stora Torget 5; bar snacks from Skr65, meals Skr80-200) A diverse crowd settles down at this casual spot to drink and chatter at the outdoor tables on the square. Thai chicken and hamburger with bacon bits are a couple of Bill & Bobs’ popular ‘classic’ dishes.
Kalle på Spangen (12 91 29; Kungsgatan 2; mains around Skr75) This great cafe, right by the river in the old part of town,