Sweden - Becky Ohlsen [58]
Bed & Breakfast 4 Trappor (Map; 642 3104, 0735-69 38 64; www.4trappor.se; Gotlandsgatan 78; apt per 1/2 guests Skr650/800, incl breakfast Skr700/900) For elegant slumming, it’s hard to beat this sassy, urbane apartment, complete with cosy, floorboarded bedroom (maximum two guests), modern bathroom and well-equipped kitchen (espresso machine included!). Breakfast is served in the wonderful owners’ next-door apartment, and the SoFo address means easy access to Stockholm’s coolest shops and hang-outs. There’s a two-night minimum stay and a discounted rate for stays of over five nights. It’s a huge hit, so book months ahead.
MIDRANGE
Hotel Anno 1647 (Map; 442 16 80; www.anno1647.se; Mariagränd 3; budget s Skr895-1065, weekends & summer Skr595-745, d Skr995-1245, weekends & summer Skr795-940, standard s Skr1590-1940, weekends & summer Skr945-1295, d Skr1895-2390, weekends & summer Skr1295-1695; ) Just off buzzing Götgatan, this historical slumber spot has labyrinthine hallways, affable staff, and both budget and standard rooms. The latter are the winners, with old floorboards, rococo wallpaper and the odd chandelier. Economy rooms are simple but clean, with shared bathrooms and more noise from the street at night.
Rival Hotel (Map; 54 57 89 00; www.rival.se; Mariatorget 3; s Skr1290-2290, d Skr1390-2490; ) Owned by ABBA’s Benny Anderson and overlooking leafy Mariatorget, this ravishing design hotel is a chic retro gem, complete with vintage 1940s movie theatre and over-the-top art deco cocktail bar. The super-comfy rooms feature posters from great Swedish films and a teddy bear to make you feel at home. Both the smoking and nonsmoking rooms boast flatscreen TVs and good-sized bathrooms, and there’s a scrumptious designer bakery-cafe beside the foyer.
Columbus Hotell (Map; 50 31 12 00; www.columbus.se; Tjärhovsgatan 11; s Skr1295, discounted to Skr995-1295, d Skr1595, discounted to Skr1295-1595, budget annex s/d/tr Skr725/925/1150; ) Family-owned and highly recommended, Columbus is nestled in a quiet part of Södermalm, near T-Medborgarplatsen, and set around a cobblestone courtyard by a pretty park. Accompanying the budget rooms (which have TV, telephone and shared bathroom facilities) are wonderfully homely hotel-standard rooms.
TOP END
Clarion Hotel (Map; 462 10 00; www.clarionstockholm.com; Ringvägen 98; s Skr895-2195, d Skr1095-2695; ) This designer darling feels like a modern art museum, its wide ramp leading into the foyer dotted with ubercool furniture and modelled on the Tate Modern. The foyer also features a huge wall mural and sculptures by Kirsten Ortwed, and there’s a fetching lounge-bar for a stylish sip. Rooms are an uncluttered combo of sleek lounges, huge beds with designer sheets and massive windows for urban gazing.
Hilton Stockholm Slussen (Map; 51 73 53 00; www.hilton.com; Guldgränd 8; standard r Skr1590-2890, weekends Skr1090-2890, junior ste Skr2590-4590, weekends Skr2090-4590; ) Perched between the chaotic Slussen interchange and Södermalm’s underground highway, Stockholm’s white-on-white Hilton sports modern comfortable rooms with swirly marble bathrooms. Several boast stunning city views, and there’s a hugely popular bar as well.
Kungsholmen
This mostly residential island has one large and high-quality sleeping option, which is well placed for Kungsholmen’s cast of first-class restaurants.
First Hotel Amaranten (Map; 692 52 00; www.firsthotels.com/amaranten; Kungsholmsgatan 31; s Skr1000-2050, d Skr1200-2250; summer s/d from Skr655/855; ) Evoking an upmarket furniture showroom, this smooth chain hotel boasts a plunge pool and stylish spa centre. Retox in the swanky bar or retreat to