World City Guide

Hotels

Sales tax at 12% is automatically added to the bill. Tipping of porters is common, although tipping for room service is not expected.

Prices in Stockholm go down by as much as 50% in summer and at the weekend in winter, so it is always worth checking whether a hotel has a special offer on.

The prices quoted below are the lowest standard rates for a double room in winter, including sales tax but excluding breakfast, unless otherwise specified.

Business

Nordic Hotel
Only opened in January 2001, the Nordic Hotel is already proving a big hit with the Stockholm business community. Within easy walking distance of the evolving IT centre of the city, as well as Stockholm’s main railway station and the new Arlanda Express airport rail link, the location is one of the most convenient in the city. This stylishly designed hotel boasts 542 rooms, as well as a business centre and conference facilities catering for up to 400 delegates. Another plus is Internet access through the in-room TVs. The hotel is split between the Nordic Sea and the Nordic Light buildings, with 367 and 175 rooms respectively, each with their own distinctive decor, including light installations that depict the sun, a big water tank with tropical fish and the world famous IceBar, a very cool place to have a drink... literally.

Vasaplan
Tel: (08) 5056 3000. Fax: (08) 5056 3060.
E-mail: info@nordichotels.se
Website: www.nordichotels.se
Price: From SKr 1300 (including breakfast).

Radisson SAS Royal Viking Hotel
This 351-room hotel is one the best of the numerous Radisson-affiliated hotels in and around Stockholm. The central location, within easy walking distance of the Old Town and the City Hall, is a major advantage. All of the luxuriously appointed rooms have modem points and voice-mail, while ‘business class’ rooms have extras such as ironing boards, bathrobes and slippers. Non-smoking rooms are available, as are specially equipped rooms to cater for the needs of physically impaired guests. The hotel also boasts 26 conference rooms, as well as a lecture hall that seats 150 people.

Vasagatan 1
Tel: (08) 5065 4000. Fax: (08) 5065 4001.
E-mail: sales.royal.stockholm@radissonsas.com
Website: www.radissonsas.com
Price: From SKr2000.

Scandic Hotel Sergel Plaza
This 405-room five-star hotel in the centre of Stockholm has won the ‘Best Hotel in Sweden’ award on a number of occasions since opening in 1984. One of the seven floors of the business-orientated Scandic is solely occupied by 12 executive suites; the standard rooms are fairly simple. Facilities include 24-hour room service, a swimming pool and a full range of business services. There are conference facilities to cater for 400 delegates.

Brunkebergstorg 9
Tel: (08) 5172 6300. Fax: (08) 5172 6311.
E-mail sergel.plaza@scandic-hotels.com
Website: www.scandic-hotels.com
Prices: From SKr2280.

Sheraton Stockholm Hotel and Towers
This 462-room first-class hotel has recently undergone a much-needed revamp, which has restored it to its former high standards. The Sheraton offers views over the Old Town, Lake of Malaren and the City Hall; it is just a two-minute walk from Stockholm Central station and airport buses. Room features include work desk, hairdryer, in-room movies, mini bar, modem point, cable TV and voice-mail. Business facilities include 12 meeting rooms with a maximum capacity of 400 delegates, as well as a business centre.

Tegelbacken 6
Tel: (08) 412 3400. Fax: (08) 412 3409.
E-mail: sheraton-stockholm@sheraton.com
Website: www.sheratonstockholm.com
Price: From SKr1380.

Luxury

Berns Hotel
Berns is one of the most exclusive places to stay in Stockholm. The 65 rooms (including four suites) marry modern Scandinavian design with the beauty of the building’s Belle Epoque architecture. There are fluffy white bathrobes, CD players, satellite TV and hairdryers in all rooms. Eight conference and meeting rooms are available with flexibility in numbers and facilities; the 1,200-capacity China Room is particularly impressive. The is also a business centre with fax and Internet facilities. The hotel’s restaurants and bars have recently undergone a Terence Conran-aided makeover. The Clock Suite is legendary and a favourite of younger, trendier celebrity visitors – the older crowd tend to head for the Grand Hotel (see below). Although there are no fitness facilities available on site, guests at Berns can use the extensive facilities at the nearby Grand Hotel, which is owned by the same company.

Berzelii Park, Nackstromsgatan 8
Tel: (08) 5663 2200 or 5663 2250 (reservations). Fax: (08) 679 3561.
E-mail: hotel.berns@berns.se
Website: www.berns.se
Price: From SKr2750 (including breakfast).

Grand Hotel
The 310-room Grand Hotel has long been the most glamorous place to stay in the city and it seldom disappoints. This deluxe hotel justifiably has been rated as one of the world’s great hotels since it opened in 1874.; it is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World group. The Grand Hotel also enjoys an excellent location on the waterfront, with views back across the Old Town, within easy reach of Stockholm’s business centre. The 21 luxurious suites are popular with visiting celebrities and royalty – famous past guests include Theodore Roosevelt and Douglas Fairbanks. All rooms have modem points and there are also 19 conference and banqueting rooms, which can cater for anything from two to 2,000 delegates. Extensive fitness facilities and beauty treatments were added in 1997.

Sodra Blaisholmshamnen 8
Tel: (08) 679 3500 or (08) 679 3560 for reservations. Fax: (08) 611 8686.
E-mail: hotel.grand@grandhotel.se
Website: www.grandhotel.se
Price: From SKr3400.

Moderate

Central Hotel
This three-star hotel is, as its name suggests, located very conveniently in the heart of modern Stockholm. Although the decor is plain and functional with few luxurious touches, the 93 en-suite guest rooms all have Internet connections through the in-room satellite TVs. There is a conference room available, seating up to 16 delegates.

Vasagatan 38
Tel: (08) 5662 0800. Fax: (08) 247 573.
E-mail: info@profilhotels.se
Website: www.centralhotel.se
Price: From SKr 1850.

Scandic Hotel Malmen
This four-star hotel offers good value without sacrificing the level of facilities. The en-suite rooms are modern and comfortable, with extras – such as satellite TV in all rooms, soundproof windows and trouser presses – all geared towards business visitors’ needs. There are, however, no conference rooms.

Gotgatan 49–51
Tel: (08) 5173 4700. Fax: (08) 5173 4711.
E-mail: malmen@scandic-hotels.com
Website: www.scandic-hotels.com
Price: From SKr1240 (including breakfast).

Other Recommendations

Birger Jarl
This trendy new 235-room hotel already has attracted a steady following among the city’s cognoscenti, as well as with savvy visitors. The revamped Birger Jarl is the perfect example of the best of modern Scandinavian design without the harshness of too much minimalism. The hotel somewhat uniquely aims to change its mood with the season, by changing its decor. Individual designers have also been brought in to create idiosyncratic rooms that can be surveyed on the web before booking. Other plus points include a number of meeting rooms – one with a capacity of up to 150 delegated – and a rooftop gym with views of the city.

Tulegatan 8
Tel: (08) 674 1800. Fax: (08) 673 7366.
E-mail: info@birgerjarl.se
Website: www.birgerjarl.se
Price: From SKr1860 (including breakfast).

Lydmar Hotel
The Lydmar Hotel is fast becoming the trendiest place to stay in a city whose range of hip hotels is expanding all the time. The hotel’s public spaces are often home to temporary art installations and many cultural events are also staged here. Isaac Hayes and Beverly Knight are among the big names to have performed in the hotel’s lobby in recent years. All rooms have wide-screen TVs, DVD and voice-mail connections; another six rooms have recently been added. A nice touch is the movies that are provided free of charge. The location on Stureplan is right at the heart of Stockholm’s busy nightlife scene. The Lydmar Hotel is a good choice for a business trip that allows a few nights of pleasure at either end.

Sturegatan 10
Tel: (08) 5661 1300. Fax: (08) 5661 1301.
E-mail: info@lydmar.se
Website: www.lydmar.se
Price: From SKr2300 (including breakfast).