Hotels Overview

Stockholm's hotels vary mostly according to location. For large, modern, international-style business hotels, the downtown and city areas are best. Gamla Stan is strong on slightly smaller hotels, just as luxurious, but with more of a homey feel. It is also the neighborhood for those with a nautical bent. Södermalm, Stockholm's bohemian side, is perfect if you're looking for the odd boutique hotels and plenty of quirky budget accommodations. All rooms in the hotels reviewed below are equipped with shower or bath unless otherwise noted. Unless otherwise stated, hotels do not have air-conditioning. Some hotels close during the winter holidays; call ahead if you expect to travel during that time.

Although Stockholm has a reputation for prohibitively expensive hotels, great deals can be found in summer, when prices are substantially lower and numerous discounts are available. More than 50 hotels offer the "Stockholm Package," which includes accommodations for one night, breakfast, and the Stockholmskortet, or Stockholm Card, which entitles the cardholder to free admission to museums and travel on public transport.

Details are available from travel agents, tourist bureaus, and the Stockholm Information Service (Box 7542, 103 93, Stockholm. 08/7892400. 08/7892450). Also try Hotellcentralen (Centralstation, 111 20, Stockholm. 08/7892425. 08/7918666); the service is free if you go in person, but a fee applies if you call.