Central Hotel

While the entrance to the Central Hotel -- with its neon sign and filament bulbs --feels a little vintage showbiz, a long softly-lit corridor leads to interiors that have a fresh and modern feel. The lobby is bright and airy, dotted with bold artwork and a glass-paneled ceiling that curves over a sweeping polished stone staircase. Part of the Swedish PerfilHotels chain, the vibe is unmistakably Scandinavian through most of the property, emphasized by cityscape photos of Stockholm and a modern design scheme that pairs sober shades with bright hues. A single glass elevator services the hotel's five floors, while a rear shared garden courtyard provides a pleasant place to flop on colorful deck chairs surrounded by potted plants and shrubbery. The hotel's restaurant draws visitors wandering about Stockholm's city center, even if its French bistro look is a bit forced. The hotel's guests come from all categories, including solo and business travelers plus couples and families. 

In Stockholm's central Norrmalm District, this hotel is about as central as it gets -- hence the name. Many of the city's major sights are within walking distance, including Stockholm City Hall, a handsome and historic waterfront building that's just over 10 minutes away on foot. The Norrmalm District features Sweden's largest shopping area, including an underground mall, while the city's charming old town -- on the island of Stadsholmen -- is about a five-minute cab journey from the hotel. Ambitious guests can walk there in 20 minutes. The hotel is also convenient to public transport. Central Station is two blocks away from the hotel, where Arlanda Express trains to Arlanda International Airport are available. The trip takes about 30 minutes, or 45 minutes by taxi. The city's metro, or tunnelbana, is also available at Central Station, and trips to iconic Stortorget take about 10 minutes. Panoramic views of the city are available from Monteliusvagen, 20 minutes away by tunnelbana.

The hotel has 110 rooms, all of which have a smart, contemporary style that utilizes eye-catching colors and have a playful atmosphere. Expect to see wooden floors, light wood-veneer furniture with clean lines, and wallpaper mural photographs of Stockholm street scenes on accent walls. Distinctive design touches include neon green fishnet window coverings as well as pink, purple, green, and blue hues in various hardware and furniture. All rooms include free Wi-Fi, electric kettles with tea or coffee, and flat-screen TVs with cable channels, plus suites also have Nespresso machines, bathrobes, and free mineral water. Some rooms also provide a set of dumbbells. Single Rooms are tiny, at just 12 square meters (129 square feet), though all other rooms are at least 15 square meters large (161 square feet), which is reasonable by Stockholm city center standards. Bathrooms are simple, clean, and modern, with rainfall showers, underfloor heating, and heated towel rails. Most rooms overlook the courtyard, which is generally quiet, but can get noisy with evening workers and morning garbage collection if windows are left open. Lack of air-conditioning can be an issue during warmer weather. 

The hotel's features are fairly limited. A breakfast buffet of cold cuts, cereals, and a few Swedish specialties is served in the hotel's French bistro-style restaurant. It's not outstanding, but more than adequate and included in the price. La Gare restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner and serves a Parisian-influenced menu that gets solid reviews, plus it has an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining during warmer weather. Free tea and coffee are available throughout the day in the lobby. The hotel has a good selection of meeting rooms and Wi-Fi is free throughout. Aside from the in-room dumbbells in some units, there are no health facilities on-site.