Which Stockholm hotel?
 

We are planning an 8-night stay in Stockholm in October. We are a couple in our late 60s and usually stay in 4 star hotels. We enjoy walking and soaking up the ambiance in the cities we visit and also prefer to be able to walk to restaurants for dinner in the evening rather than taking public transportation or cabs. We are looking at Rica Hotel Gamla Stan and Hotel Stureplan as possible places to stay. The Rica is only a 3 star, but it is in Gamla Stan proper, the "official" pictures of it are lovely, and it gets rave reviews. Hotel Stureplan is supposedly only a 5-minute walk to Gamla Stan. Is that correct? It is a 4 star, and we can get a Superior Deluxe room for approximately the same rate as the" large" room at the Rica. The Stureplan room is larger than the one at the Rica, and, of course, the pictures of it are also lovely.. We would appreciate any advice about the hotels, the area, or even any suggestions for other hotels.

Thanks

Hi,
it's a good thing you like walking – Stockholm is a great city to explore on foot (and taxi is mad expensive). I'll be glad to complicate your decision making process with a few extra hotels.

I would definitely consider the grand dame of Stockholm hotels; the Grand Hôtel.
The location is unmatched with views of the Royal Castle and the Stockholm harbour. This hotel would be 5-star, but manages to avoid being stuffy or pompous. My review and some pics: http://bit.ly/nP1TsC

Next to the Grand you'll find the Lydmar Hotel. It's slighly younger in style but the rooms are superb. Hopefully their kitchen has improved by now. See more of this hotel here: http://bit.ly/nO0MNk

Other alternatives would be the Strand Hotel, only 200 meters away from the Grand Hôtel and with views of the Nybroviken harbor or Diplomat – a fine family owned 4-star hotel.

Stockholm is very small. You'll walk to the Old Town in less than 10 minutes from both Grand and Strand. Add some 5 minutes from Diplomat. If you're getting to Gamla Stan from Hotel Stureplan in 5 minutes you will definitely be sweating – it's not possible at a walking pace.

Still, it's a small city. And quite enjoyable in October, provided the climate isn't playing with us.

All the best,

:: hknn ::

Room prices at Grand hotel and Lydmar hotel are way above prices at the Stureplan and the Rica Gamla Stan though. The most expensive hotels you can book in Stockholm are Grand Hotel, Lydmar Hotel and Hotel Nobis. A room at Grand Hotel will cost you something like twice as much as a room at the Rica Gamla Stan.

Stay in a hotel, for once, that is located close to the things you want to see and try to forget about the "four star" ratings requirement.

Thanks, all. The Grand and Lydmar are definitely out of our price range. We're seriously now considering the Diplomat. At one point we were considering Hotel Reisen, but we've recently read a number of really bad reviews. We still have a while to decide. For some reason, we've had a more difficult time selecting a Stockholm hotel than any other European city we've visited.

If you stay at the Diplomat or the Reisen you should make sure to get a room with a sea view. Next to the Diplomat you find another, cheaper hotel but also with sea views, the Esplanade.

In my opinion the location of the Rica Gamla Stan has some advantages since you will have both the city center AND Södermalm within walking distance. Stockholm is so much more than the old town (Gamla Stan), the city center and the Vasa Museum. Södermalm, a more "bohemian" part of Stockholm has lots to offer and some very nice restaurants and a lively night life. Great architecture and some points with a superb view of Stockholm.

There are some hotels on Södermalm that you might want to have a look at. The Hilton and the Rival.

Of the hotels you have mentioned, personally I would drop Hotel Stureplan from my list even though the location is convenient. No sea views, no medieval charm. Only posh boutiques, night clubs and bars.

Hi-
Does anyone know anything about the Mornington Hotel in Stockholm?