Sweden - Becky Ohlsen [55]
Lady Hamilton Hotel (Map; 50 64 01 00; www.ladyhamiltonhotel.se; Storkyrkobrinken 5; s Skr1490-2290, summer & weekends Skr1290-1850, d Skr2190-3290, summer & weekends Skr2090-2490) Expect old-style luxury (with more modern touches where it counts; for example, in the bathrooms). The building dates back to the 1470s, and is packed with antiques and portraits of Lady Hamilton herself. If you’re not a fan of church bells, request a room away from Storkyrkobrinken.
TOP END
First Hotel Reisen (Map; 22 32 60; www.firsthotels.com/reisen; Skeppsbron 12; s Skr1390-2640, d Skr1590-2840, summer s/d from Skr930/1130; ) Stockholm’s oldest hotel once hummed with sailors. These days it’s pulling a trendier crowd with its sexy black foyer and slinky resto-bar. Cool gives way to classic in the clean, comfortable (though slightly tired-looking) rooms. The real highlight is the candlelit basement plunge pool, complete with 16th-century, barrel-vaulted ceiling.
Victory Hotel (Map; 50 64 00 00; www.victoryhotel.se; Lilla Nygatan 5; s Skr2650-2850, discounted to Skr1490-2650, d Skr3390-4290, discounted to Skr2450-3890; ) Nautical antiques, art and model ships define the wonderfully quirky Victory. Most rooms are fairly small (though perfectly comfy), while the museum-like suites are larger. There are also four apartments available for long-term rentals.
Central Stockholm
The handiest area for Centralstationen and Cityterminalen, Stockholm’s bustling, ‘downtown’ Norrmalm district is awash with shops and an easy walk to several major sights. Just to the north, trendy Vasastan harbours some top-notch eating and drinking spots.
BUDGET
City Backpackers (Map; 20 69 20; www.citybackpackers.org; Upplandsgatan 2A; dm from Skr230; ) Head here, the closest hostel to Centralstationen, for clean rooms, friendly staff, free bike hire and excellent facilities, including a sauna, a laundry and a kitchen (with a free stash of pasta). City tours are also offered, from a free weekly neighbourhood walk to themed, payable options like ‘Historic Horror’.
Hostel Bed & Breakfast (Map; 15 28 38; info@hostelbedandbreakfast.com; Rehnsgatan 21; dm from Skr270, s/d Skr490/740; ) Near T-Rådmansgatan, north of the city centre, this pleasant, informal basement hostel comes complete with a kitchen and laundry.
MIDRANGE
Queen’s Hotel (Map; 24 94 60; info@queenshotel.se; Drottninggatan 71A; s/d Skr1220/1520, summer & weekends Skr1020/1120; ) A marble staircase and antique lift lead you up to this homely hotel, located in an early 20th-century building on a central pedestrian mall. Rooms are simple, white and soothing, with classic furniture, wooden floors and the odd chandelier.
TOP END
Rica Hotel Kungsgatan (Map; 723 72 20; info.kungsgatan@rica.se; Kungsgatan 47; s Skr995-1875, d Skr1295-2125) Shopaholics will appreciate the direct elevator link to fashion hot-spot PUB Click here at this temptingly central option. When we visited, the hotel was undergoing a major revamp, which will eventually see the addition of a slinky new lobby bar. Refurbished rooms sport black wallpaper and lacquered wall panels, red lamps and flatscreen TVs, while the ecofriendly bath products are a civilised touch.
Clarion Hotel Sign (p82; 676 98 10; www.clarionsign.com; Östra Järnvägsgatan 35; r Skr1000-3000; ) Stockholm’s largest hotel is also its latest design option. Behind the striking granite and glass facade, trendsetters lounge on Arne Jacobsen Egg chairs, nosh at celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s ultra-hip grill-bar-restaurant Aquavit, and recharge at the rooftop Selma CitySpa+, complete with 35°C plunge pool. The seriously slick rooms showcase design objects from across