This post contains product affiliate links. These are mostly articles/hotels/tours that I personally approve and love. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission, but at no additional cost to you.
Are you planning a trip to Stockholm? Here are my top 12 hotels, divided into luxury, mid-range and budget picks, with the best areas to stay.
I love Stockholm. Really, I really love it. There’s something about a city spread across 14 islands that just fascinates me, especially one with cobbled old town streets, colorful waterfront buildings and more design flair than pretty much any other place I’ve visited in Scandinavia.
I’ve stayed all over the city over the years, from chic five-star accommodations with water views to cheap and friendly budget rooms tucked away in the back streets of Södermalm. And honestly, Stockholm offers excellent hotels in every price range. Whether you’re treating yourself for a special occasion or just looking for a comfortable place to rest between exploring Gamla Stan and island hopping in the archipelago, there’s a hotel for you.
In this post I round up the 12 coolest hotels in Stockholm, divided into luxury 5-star hotels, mid-range 4-star hotels and budget 3-star hotels, all chosen based on truly brilliant guest reviews. I’ve also included a quick guide to the best neighborhoods to stay in, depending on what you want from your trip.
Where to stay in Stockholm
Before we get into the hotels themselves, it’s helpful to know where you’re actually booking. Here is a quick overview of my favorite areas of Stockholm.
Old town: Stockholm’s postcard-pretty old town with cobbled streets and colorful buildings. Stay here for the classic Stockholm experience, right above the main attractions.
Ostermalm: The city’s most elegant and upscale district, full of boutiques, embassies and leafy streets. Stay in Östermalm if you’re looking for a quieter, more elegant base with easy access to the water.
Södermalm: Trendy, artistic and endlessly cool – this is where Stockholm’s creative types and foodies meet. Stay in Söder and enjoy the best cafes, vintage shops and nightlife.
Norrmalm: The modern city center with Stockholm Central Station and the main shopping streets. Stay here for sheer convenience, especially if you’re traveling by train.
Kungsholmen: A quieter, more residential island with lovely waterfront walks. Stay in Kungsholmen if you’re looking for a quieter base without straying too far from the center.
Vasastan: Elegant, green and full of charm, this is one of Stockholm’s most livable neighborhoods. Stay here for a more local feel with excellent restaurants and good transport links.
Luxurious 5-star hotels
Grand Hotel Stockholm
If you want to do something anywhere in Stockholm, do it here. The Grand Hôtel Stockholm is located on the waterfront, directly opposite the Royal Palace and Gamla Stan, and the view alone justifies the price. It is one of the city’s most famous hotels and has hosted Nobel Prize winners for over a century.
Inside you’ll find elegant, classic interiors, a spa and some of the best fine dining in Stockholm. It’s traditional in the best sense, formal without ever seeming stuffy. If you want to feel truly pampered for a night or two, this is it.
A home
Ett Hem means “a home” and that is exactly the feeling this boutique five-star hotel conveys. Set in a beautiful Arts and Crafts-style townhouse in Östermalm, it only has a handful of rooms, resulting in an intimate, almost residential stay rather than a typical hotel experience.
I love that there is an indoor pool, sauna, and even a private chef’s table. Everything here feels curated and personal, right down to the antique furniture scattered throughout. If you’re looking for luxury that’s subtle rather than flashy, Ett Hem is hard to beat.
Our hotel
The Nobis Hotel is housed in two beautifully restored 19th century buildings right in the heart of the city and the design is truly stunning. Think high ceilings, marble details and a real sense of Scandinavian elegance in the common areas and rooms.
It’s part of the Design Hotels collection, so you know style is at the forefront, but that doesn’t come at the expense of comfort. The location couldn’t be better either, just a few steps from Kungsträdgården Park and the main shopping streets. An excellent base if you are looking for luxury at a truly central address.
Hotel Diplomat
Housed in a striking 1911 Art Nouveau building on chic Strandvägen Boulevard, Hotel Diplomat is one of Stockholm’s most elegant accommodation options. The water views across Nybroviken Bay are breathtaking, especially from the upper floors, and the entire hotel exudes wonderful old-world charm.
There is a lovely spa on-site as well as a restaurant that is popular with both locals and guests. It’s a little quieter than some of the larger five-star hotels in the city, which I think is actually in its favor. A real treat for a stay.
Mid-range 4-star hotels
Hotel Skeppsholmen
Hotel Skeppsholmen is one of my favorite mid-range hotels in the entire city simply because of its location. It’s tucked away on the small island of Skeppsholmen, surrounded by museums and water, yet an easy walk from central Stockholm. The building itself dates back to the 17th century and was once a naval barracks.
The design inside combines historic character with clean, contemporary Scandinavian style and there is a lovely garden perfect for relaxing when the weather is nice. It’s peaceful, full of character and a really lovely place to return to after a day of sightseeing.
Hotel Rival
Hotel Rival is co-owned by Benny Andersson of ABBA, and that creative pedigree runs throughout the property. Located in Södermalm, one of Stockholm’s trendiest neighborhoods, it has the feel of a real art deco cinema turned hotel, with quirky details and a really fun atmosphere.
The rooms are stylish without being over the top, and the on-site bakery and bar are both excellent. I would recommend this one if you’re looking for a place with personality, right in the middle of Söder’s best cafes, vintage shops and nightlife.
Miss Clara von Nobis
Miss Clara von Nobis is located in a beautiful early 20th century Art Nouveau schoolhouse, just a short walk from Kungsträdgården. It has the same design-led vibe as its sister hotel Nobis, but at a slightly cheaper price, making it a brilliant mid-range choice.
I really like the rooftop bar here, especially on a warm evening, and the rooms themselves are elegant and comfortable with a real design touch. The location puts you right in the middle of the action and is ideal if you want to walk practically anywhere.
Downtown camper from Scandic
One of the more unique mid-range hotels in Stockholm, Downtown Camper is built around the idea of feeling at home on business or leisure trips. There are co-working spaces, bike rentals and even a rooftop running track, as well as really comfortable, well-designed rooms.
The location is also excellent, just a few steps from Kungsträdgården Park in the heart of the city. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for a modern and different place with lots of extras you wouldn’t expect in this price range.
Cheap 3 star hotels
Mälarrotningen Yacht Hotel
This has to be one of the most unusual hotels in Stockholm, and I mean that in the best possible way. Mälardrottningen is a converted 1920s luxury yacht that once belonged to Barbara Hutton and was permanently moored in Gamla Stan. You actually sleep in a hut on board a boat, in the middle of the old town.
It’s a brilliant budget option if you want something memorable rather than just functional. The rooms are compact, as you would expect on a yacht, but the novelty and location more than make up for it.
Langholmen Hotel
Långholmen Hotell has one of the most fascinating backstories of any hotel in the city: it is located in a former prison on the peaceful island of Långholmen. But don’t let that put you off, the rooms are simple, comfortable and really good value for money and the surroundings are surprisingly beautiful.
You are surrounded by parkland and beaches, yet close enough to easily reach the center. It’s a brilliant choice if you’re looking for a quieter, budget-friendly base in which to tell a great story at home.
Castle House Inn
The Castle House Inn is a solid, budget, no-frills choice right in the center of Stockholm, close to the Royal Palace and Gamla Stan. It won’t wow you with design frills, but it does exactly what you need: clean, comfortable rooms in a truly excellent location.
I would recommend this hotel if location and value for money are more important to you than extras, as it is within easy walking distance of virtually all of the major attractions. A great, reliable starting point for a short city trip.
Hotel Hellstens Malmgård
Hotel Hellstens Malmgård is a real insider tip for budget-conscious travelers who still want a bit of character. Set in a beautifully restored 18th-century mansion, each room is individually decorated so no two stays feel the same.
It has a quirky, antique-infused charm not often found in this price range and a really warm, personal feel. It’s a little further from the absolute center, but the trade-off is worth it if you’re looking for a place with real personality.
So there you have it, my pick of the best hotels in Stockholm, whatever your budget. Have you ever been there? Or is there a Stockholm hotel that you think deserves a place on this list? Let me know in the comments below!
