Unique
setting in three boats moored in central Stockholm
Cabin-style
rooms with scenic city and lake views
On-site
restaurant serving all meals, plus bar
Guest lounge with leather armchairs and flat-screen TV
Pleasant
waterside terrace with views
Free
Wi-Fi throughout
Parking (for a fee) available outside the hotel entrance
Guest-room cabins are small with low ceilings
Not
all rooms have attached bathrooms; most lack TVs
Some
cabins are dark and lack views
Children
under 10 not allowed for safety reasons
Many
steep narrow steps to negotiate
Fee for breakfast
The unconventional Rygerfjord Hotel and Hostel is a budget property made up of three boats anchored on the shore of a Stockholm lake. The 75 cabin-style rooms tend to be small, with low ceilings. Some have scenic city and lake views, but not all have attached bathrooms. There's an on-board bar and restaurant where breakfast is served (for an extra fee), and a guest lounge with a large flat-screen TV. The Wi-Fi connection is free and available throughout the hotel. Travelers keen on trying the boat-stay experience could also consider the Malardrottningen Hotel and Restaurant, a converted yacht with more upscale rooms.
Scene
Unique boat-stay experience on the water
Rygerfjord Hotel and Hostel is next to a pleasant lakeside promenade, close to a main road leading to Stockholm's old town. The main ship was built in 1950 in Norway, and has been moored in this location in Stockholm since 1995 when it was transformed into a hotel and hostel. Guests will not forget they're on a boat; it naturally bobs on the water, the ceilings are low, doorways are narrow, and there are steep steps to negotiate, which make staying here a challenge for people with mobility issues. The interiors of the public areas are decorated in a rustic, slightly dated style -- the lounge is filled with overstuffed leather armchairs, Oriental carpets, and checkered curtains. The ambiance is different on the outdoor terrace on the deck, with stylish patio furniture and great views of the city. The hostel is popular with young budget travelers who often travel with friends or in small groups. Couples prefer the hotel rooms, but few families stay here because children under 10 are not allowed for safety reasons.
Location
On the waterfront close, to the Old Town
Rygerfjord Hotel is located on the waterfront on a road popular with morning joggers, walkers, and cyclists. Stockholm’s Old Town is easily accessible from the hotel, only a 15-minute walk away. The area also has excellent transportation links. The Gamla Stan subway station is a 10-minute walk from here, and Central Train Station is 10 minutes away by public transit.
Rooms
Compact cabin rooms, some with shared bathrooms
This budget boat property is divided into two sections: a hostel and hotel. The hostel section is made up of two mixed dormitories with 12 beds, and 22 two-bed cabins with shared bathroom facilities. The beds are fitted with bedsheets, but guests are expected to bring their own towels or rent them from management. Some of the Hostel Rooms are tiny and contain not much more than a bed.
The hotel cabins are more comfortable and feature double beds, sofa beds, and a few bunks. Some have a few extra pieces of furniture like armchairs or folding tables. Their bathrooms are small, with cramped shower cabins, and towels are provided. The budget cabins do not have attached bathrooms, but shared facilities instead, and many don't have windows. However, they do have access to a well-equipped shared kitchen and dining room, opening to a pleasant deck with tables and chairs, ideal for groups. The Forepeak Room can sleep six, and has a flat-screen TV, a safe, and an attached bathroom. The only other room with a television is the Captains Cabin. The decor is low-key but pleasant, with wooden floors, Oriental rugs, simple furniture in a warm mahogany finish, and bathrooms decorated in bright blue tiles. Some of the rooms have scenic views over the city and the lake.
Features
Restaurant, bar, lounge, free Wi-Fi
A simple buffet breakfast (not included in room rates) is served in the restaurant, which also serves Swedish specialties for lunch and dinner. There's also an attached bar and a pleasant outdoor terrace overlooking the water. The spacious guest lounge has a large flat-screen TV and several overstuffed leather armchairs. The lounge is also available for rental for conference, meetings, or special events. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property (although some rooms have spotty reception), and guests also have access to a computer in the lobby area with an Internet connection. The hotel provides bicycle rentals, and there's a parking lot near the hotel entrance, but it's not managed by the hotel.