We will be arriving at the Arlanda airport at 8:30pm and don't want to take the time to go to Stockholm till morning. Has anyone stayed at a hotel by the airport that they like?
Also any favorites for the Stockholm area? There will be five of us traveling.
Deanna, Are you sure that you want to stay at Arlanda? It is only 20 minutes to Stockholms Central on the Arlanda Express; unless you stay right in the hotel in Sky City, you will probably spend at least that amount of time waiting for a shuttle to get you to one of the Arlanda hotels. Assuming you are travelling this summer, it will still be light when you arrive. Also, if you are a family, there is a special rate (one special ticket covers 2 adults and 4 children) on the Arlanda Express. As far as favorites in Stockholm, don't miss the Vasa museum (a wonderful museum), the Stadshuset (City hall where the Nobel dinner is held ... make sure to take an English tour as the guides are excellent), and Skansen (the open air museum). Gamla Stan (the old town) is also nice. Östermalms Saluhallen (www.ostermalmshallen.se)is an indoor food market that sells produce, cheeses, baked goods, etc. It is a great place to pick up things for a picnic and there are also a couple of places in the market where you can eat. You will see lots of traditional Swedish foods. There are other food markets at Hötorget and in Södermalm, but I think the one in Östermalm is the most impressive and traditional. Another place that I love for lunch is Rosendals Trädgårdscafe www.rosendalstradgard.se. This is an apple orchard and garden on Djurgården (the island in Stockholm where Skansen and the Vasa museum are) which has a wonderful café that makes excellent sandwiches, salads, and baked goods. It is very Swedish experience ... sit outside at picnic tables in the orchard.
Thanks for the information. I didn't know it was that easy to get into Stockholm. The places you mentioned sound good too.