Page 158 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Stockholm

156  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS
WHERE TO STAY

Stockholm’s hotel scene revolves around In Stockholm, luxury is most often
Blasieholmen, where the Grand Hôtel offers understated, characterized by simple yet
accommodation that is just as princely as elegant modern design. Hotels offer high
the Royal Palace, on the opposite side of levels of comfort and service and often have
Norrström. Only a short distance away is magnificent views or locations. The listings
af Chapman, a ship that is home to one of on pages 158–61 cover a wide range of
the world’s most beautiful youth hostels. accommodation options.

How to Book high-standard room-and-
You can easily make a reserv- breakfast hotel. It also has
ation at the Stockholm Visitor a Clarion hotel near Arlanda
Centre. Staff can also offer and three conference hotels
tips and advice about lodging in the “Quality” category.
options for all tastes and The environmentally
budgets. Hotel reservations conscious Scandinavian
can also be made directly with chain First Hotels has three
the hotel, either over the categories: First Hotel, First
telephone or, in most cases, Express and First Resort. There
online. Web addresses for the are three First Hotels in the city
larger hotel chains’ reser vation centre and three First Express
centres are listed opposite. properties outside the city.
Elite Hotels has six classic
hotels located throughout
Hotel Chains
Stockholm, each with its own
Exterior of the imposing and elegant Several international and unique style. Three of the
Diplomat hotel (see p159) national chains have hotels in hotels are within a 15-minute
Stockholm. Scandic Hotels, walk of the city centre.
Choosing a Hotel
with over 230 establish ments, is The Collector’s Hotels is
Although most of Stockholm’s the leading Scand inavian chain, a group of three small and
hotels are mid-range to known for its environmen tally exclusive hotels located in
expensive, the city also has friendly policies. It has eight Gamla Stan – Victory, Lord
perfectly acceptable budget hotels in the city and six Nelson and Lady Hamilton
accommodation. The cheapest outside, in cluding two on (see p159) – all of which have
alternative is offered by the the way to Arlanda Airport. artistic and maritime decor.
dozen or so youth hostels, most Radisson Blu has three
of which have high standards. large, luxurious hotels in Prices and Payment
Other value-for-money options central Stockholm and
include the many bed-and- two at Arlanda Airport. Prices in the hotel listings
breakfast (B&B) establishments. Nordic Choice Hotels has two are for a standard double
Stockholm has become one hotels in Stockholm under the room, including service
of the world’s most popular “Comfort” banner, indicating a charges and taxes. All hotels
cities for conferences, so offer rooms at much reduced
occupancy at the city’s hotels rates at week ends throughout
is high – around 80 per the year and daily in the
cent – between May and summer. For the cheaper
November, but much lower hotels, this involves a price
in July. Most of the locals reduction of 100–300 kr per
head out to the countryside night; for medium-priced
to soak in the summer sun hotels about 500 kr; and for
during this period. Visitors deluxe hotels up to 1,000 kr.
are strongly advised to book Nearly all hotels accept
hotel accommodation well major credit cards; however,
in advance. American Express is less
It is best to avoid the peak commonly accepted in
season for trade fairs and smaller establishments.
events such as the Stockholm Larger hotels usually help
Marathon in June. The in changing foreign currency,
Stockholm Visitor Centre but the cheapest way of
website is useful for finding out Smart seating area at the ultra-chic Scandic changing money is to use a
when the busiest periods are. Malmen hotel (see p161) bureau de change (see p194).
Menu scribbled on a blackboard outside a café in Stockholm

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