Rooms under £100: Stockholm
The sleek Swedish capital is one good looking metropolis — and in summer even more so when the snow and ice have melted in the blaze of the spring sun
01 Best Western Time Hotel
This friendly, sleek, well-run hotel may be a schlep from the city centre (25 minutes for the average stroller) but Odenplan Metro station is close. Rooms vary in size — some have kitchenettes, others balconies — the breakfasts are great and the wi-fi is fast and free. Doubles from £96. timehotel.se
02 Scandic Alvik
This is a modern business-like hotel geared for families at weekends, with lavish breakfasts and a Jamie Oliver kids' menu. Service is good-humoured, rooms have air-con, and you pay more for fancy extras: film channels, bathrobes, bath bubbles. The Metro that whisks you into the city is 300ft away. Doubles from £99. scandichotels.com
03 Hellstens Malmgard
Built in 1770, this hotel is a breath of fresh air, on a peaceful side street, walking distance — just — from the hipster enclave of Sodermalm. Buffet breakfasts, in the central courtyard or atmospheric cellar, are bountiful and the bathrooms are chic, but avoid the attic if you're tall! Doubles from £99. hellstensmalmgard.se
04 The Red Boat
An atmospheric red barge hostel with deckside views to the seductive old town; Gamla Stan is a five-minute stroll away. Showers are shared, everything is tiny (lockers, passages, porthole windows), staff are friendly, the lounge cosy, there's free wi-fi in reception, and the quietest cabins face the sea. Twin cabin from £70. theredboat.com
Published in the April 2014 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)
