Best Western Plus Time Hotel

From the outside, this boxy modern hotel may seem rather bland -- especially when compared to some of the heritage buildings around it. Yet inside this Best Western somehow manages to feel both hip and homey. Floor-to-ceiling windows covered with gauzy drapes ensure that its soaring lobby is filled with natural light; and huge tufted ottomans done up in shades of pumpkin and aubergine, plus an assortment of plush sink-into couches, create ample room for lounging. The welcoming tone it sets extends through the hotel as a whole, making this a popular choice for travelers who wish to be close to city sites while still enjoying a calm and leafy location.

This Best Western is located in a leafy, largely residential part of central Stockholm’s Vasastan district, near Vanadislunden Park. Both a school and a supermarket are very close by. Some daytime noise might arise from the former; but guests will find the latter convenient, especially if they’ve booked into one of the hotel’s kitchen-equipped studios. Although there’s not much to do here for tourists, sightseers can hop a bus or pick up a City Bike (belonging to the civic cycle-sharing program) a short distance from the hotel. Better yet, it’s only an eight-minute walk to the Odenplan metro station, meaning Stockholm Central Station -- in the heart of the city -- is just three stops away. From Odenplan, arriving or departing guests can also reach Arlanda Airport via public transport in under 50 minutes. If you’re driving, paid indoor parking is available adjacent to the hotel. 

• Five-minute walk to Vanadislunden Park
• Eight-minute walk to Odenplan Metro Station
• 14 minutes to Stockholm Central Station by public transport
• 20 minutes to Royal Palace by public transport
• 21 minutes to Stockholm Cathedral by public transport
• 23 minutes to Museum of Modern Art by public transport
• 24 minutes to the Vasa Museum by public transport
• 27 minutes to ABBA Museum by public transport
• 29 minutes to Gröna Lund amusement park by public transport
• 30 minutes to Skansen Open Air Museum by public transport
• 42 minutes to Drottningholm Palace by public transport
• 47 minutes to Arlanda Airport by public transport (31-minute drive)

The Best Western Plus Time Hotel takes a pass on pine-y Nordic simplicity. Instead its rooms have dark, espresso-hued headboards and desks that are complemented by flashes of color courtesy of bed throws, art and accent pillows, while Neo-Baroque touches (say a vintage rug on the parquet floor and a damask slipper chair or velveteen chaise tucked into a corner) inject an extra element of style. Each room includes a 32-inch flat screen TV and free Wi-Fi. All except the lowest two categories also come with tea/coffee-making equipment (though no minibars), and most feature Juliet balconies or, on the top floor, furnished terraces with fine views. Studios, covering 312 to 484 square feet, add couches and kitchenettes equipped with small fridges, microwaves, and two-burner stove-tops. Across the board, tiled black-and-white bathrooms feature either showers or tubs (Junior Suites have both) plus in-floor heating.  

For many, the free smörgåsbord breakfast is this hotel’s best feature: It’s a groaning-board buffet laden with the standard hot and cold items as well as Swedish specialties, like herring, meatballs, crispbreads and pastries galore. Guests who want to exercise off the extra calories won’t find a workout room on-site. However, the hotel does offer free access to a fully equipped fitness facility (complete with pool) that’s five minutes away on foot; 10 percent discounts at the adjoining day spa are available, too. A pair of conference rooms is on hand for business travelers, and the stylish lobby bar provides an opportunity to unwind after. The hotel also features a free sauna and relaxation room, which can be pre-booked in 45-minute blocks. Other perks include dry cleaning/laundry services; valet parking; free newspapers and a guest computer in the lobby; plus free Wi-Fi throughout.