On our way home after our Rick Steves Adriatic trip in May, we are going to do a three-day layover in Stockholm, Sweden. Our goal is to see a few sights, but expecially kick back and relax. We'd like to stay in the city and try to walk/bus to local places. We want to kick back with a kaffe (coffee) and a pastry and watch people go by. Rick recommends a few places to stay. We are willing to pay what's needed for a nice "middle-of-the-road" hotel. Has anyone stayed at Queen's Hotel Stockholm? Scandic Hotels? Others? What would you go see? Tack! (Thank you!) ~ Doug and Sue
Posted by
Seattle
50 posts
Stayed at the Scandic Norra Bantorget which is about a 10 min walk from the train station a little off the main street. The rooms are basic and a little tight but I would recommend it as a good budget 3 star choice. Nice breakfast. very clean and comfortable but not much character if you're looking for that.
Really enjoyed the City Hall tour as well as the tour of the theater at Drottningholm. Medieval Museum was interesting but not a must do unless you're a history buff.
Posted by
11569 posts
Our friends enjoyed Scandic Park. Other friends raved about the Hasselbacken last year after we recommended it to them. There is a little ferry nearby that goes over to Gamla Stan covered by transit pass.
Posted by
2539 posts
With the allotted time, how about Gamla Stan, Vasa Museum and nearby Nordic Museum, Skansen and tour of Stadshuset? See Stockholm by ferry or sightseeing boat. If needing a bit of serenity Millesgården and for fun go to Gröna Lund. I'd skip the palace. The last time in Stockholm, we booked via Hotwire and scored a decent price for the BW Plus Time Hotel (included big breakfast). There was a nearby grocery with salad bar and a couple of good ethnic restaurants within walking distance. Public transportation was very good for the location. Stockholm is a wonderful city to visit.
Posted by
Cape Ann, Massachusetts
3334 posts
I stayed at this small, charming Hotel Hornsgatan on Sodermalm, which is an easy and lovely walk to Gamla Stan and the ferries. Behind the hotel is a pedestrian pathway overlooking Gamla Stan. Sodermalm is less of a tourist area so, IMO, an enjoyable location near their subway system, etc., but I always walked. There were many restaurants in this neighborhood, but except for another couple at the hotel, I did not see Americans. There's a wonderful falafel place across the street and a small Italian restaurant around the corner. Many other local restaurants as well, but, although my grandmother was Swedish, I'm not crazy about a lot of the food...now their sweets are a different story... Make sure you've read the Millennium Trilogy.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4161 posts
My wife and I are art lovers , and The Thiel Gallery on Djurgarten was a magnificent collection well worth a visit. An extensive collection of paintings by Carl Larsson ( sometimes known as the Swedish Norman Rockwell ) is among the holdings , housed in a turn of the century Art Nouveau mansion . look at these two sites for more information - https://www.google.com/maps/place/Thiel+Gallery/@59.32249,18.1462204,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x465f829bc1eaad3b:0xe2adbbb606219a76!8m2!3d59.32249!4d18.148409 and here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Larsson
Posted by
Gresham, OR, USA
12 posts
I have usually stayed at the Best Western Kom hotel in Stockholm. It is between two of the main streets radiating out from the city center. It is within a few blocks of the main shopping street and near several interesting sights. The breakfast is substantial, and there are many good restaurants nearby. When I stayed there last, the hotel's features included access to an athletic center with a sauna. All the museums are easily accessible.