Hotel Royal Gothenburg

Opened in 1852, the family-owned Hotel Royal Gothenburg is the oldest in the city and still maintains many of its most interesting original features. The four-story powder blue facade is accented with top dormer windows. A golden doorway leads guests into a beautiful entryway with painted stone floors, an impressive original hand-painted glass ceiling accent over the reception desk, and a wide stairway, lit by a chandelier and featuring the buildings' elegant, original Art Nouveau staircase. The lobby's lounges may be less grand than the entryway, but they're cozy with parquet floors, homey accent rugs, and floral drapes. Decor may be traditional, but everything here feels well-maintained and up-to-date. While the property is short on extra amenities, it offers a satisfying historic charm that chain hotels just can't match, making it a hotspot for a wide range of guests, including solo travelers, business guests, and families.

The hotel is situated in the city center between the main train station (four-minute walk) and Kungsportsavenyen (five-minute walk), the bustling main avenue that runs through the city. Restaurants, shops, and cafes are all any easy walk from the hotel. The Opera House is about a 12-minute walk and Liseberg Amusement Park is about 10 minutes away via public transit. Göteborg Landvetter Airport is about a 25-minute ride from the airport bus, which is a five-minute walk from the hotel. There is no on-site parking, but nearby parking can be arranged through the hotel for a discounted fee. 

The hotels 76 rooms are individually decorated in a homey, traditional style with modern updates. Parquet floors pair well with cream-colored walls adorned with framed prints and light-sage-green doors. Off-white furniture offers classic style, like cabriole legs on the desks, and floral drapes and accent rugs create a certain cozy charm. White tiled bathrooms are contemporary but often compact, most with simple shower stalls.

Economy Single Rooms are small (some measure just 75 square feet), but Superior Doubles, which can host up to four guests, are roomier at over 250 square feet. Rooms have work desks, irons and ironing boards, 32- to 40-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms include hairdryers, heated towel racks, and free individual toiletries. Upgraded rooms might add a couch, armchair, or sofa bed. Rooms aren't air conditioned and don't have safes (there's one at the front desk), mini-fridges, or coffee/tea service. 

As is typical for small-scale historic hotels, the Hotel Royal Gothenburg has a limited list of features, but what it does offer remains in the spirit of the property. The hotel has a charming lobby with two main lounge spaces, plus a bright wood-floored breakfast room where the hotel serves its free daily buffet. The buffet features a range of nice hot and cold items, like scrambled eggs, pancakes, meat, and cheese, but the fan-favorite is the hotel's homemade muesli. The hotel also serves free coffee, tea, and cakes in the afternoons. There is, however, no full-service bar or restaurant on-site. There are no wellness facilities either, but discounted rates are available at the World Class City gym across the street. Reception is open 24 hours, the hotel has one small meeting room, and laundry service is available. Cribs and high chairs are on hand for guests traveling with children. There's no on-site parking, but discounted off-site parking is available. Wi-Fi throughout is free.