7 Best Hotels in Goteborg (Gothenburg), Sweden

Göteborg's oldest hotel, built in 1852, is small, family owned, and traditional. Make a stop in the entrance hall to admire the intricate, original ceiling paintings. The air-conditioned rooms have parquet floors and are simply but elegantly decorated in light colors with floral drapes. The Royal is located in the city center a few blocks from Central Station.

Feng shui meets Scandinavian design at this cutting-edge hotel with a rooftop swimming pool, a portion of which seems to float in midair. Designed with the goal of nourishing both mind and body, its interior includes 24-carat gold mosaic tiles that supposedly will bring happiness and prosperity, along with earth tones, chiaroscuro effects, wood accents, white marble, vibrant artwork, and a penthouse fit for a member of ABBA.

Housed in a mammoth neoclassical building from the 1920s that was once a post office, the impressive Clarion Hotel Post effortlessly merges antique details and facades with a trendy Scandinavian style that includes a reception desk tricked out with sparkling crystals and a year-round rooftop pool with fantastic views of the city. The hotel is also home to the Norda and VRÅ restaurants.

Flamboyant, opulent, and lavish describe the Dorsia, where peacock feathers, plush indigo velvet, and French antiques are all par for the course. Each uniquely designed room is decked out in a different color that extends to the mosaic tiles of the bathroom. Some also have luxurious freestanding bathtubs. Guests have access to the nearby Hagabadet bathhouse for a small fee.

This Göteborg institution has hosted everyone from the Beatles and Michael Jackson to President Bush (the elder), and while posh, it's managed to avoid getting stuffy. The rooms have a pure, modern simplicity about them, with stylish dark wood Scandinavian furniture and white walls, accented with fabrics in plum, light mauve, and neutral tones.

This modern and quite spectacular international hotel stands across Drottningtorget from Central Station. The attractive atrium lobby is home to a bustling restaurant and piano bar. Rooms are large and luxurious, decorated in soft grays accented with pastel pinks and greens and highlighted with the addition of rich and comfortable fabrics. Hotel guests have access to the gym and yoga classes at the neighboring Hagabadet bathhouse and can book the spa at a discounted price.

This Göteborg institution has hosted everyone from the Beatles and Michael Jackson to George H. W. Bush, but it's managed to avoid getting stuffy. The rooms have a pure, modern simplicity about them, with light fabrics and stylish Scandinavian furniture.