Clarion Hotel Winn

The pool was nice, and I enjoyed my swim, though the sauna was kept too cold. Our room was spacious and very nice, with an electric kettle, mini fridge, hair dryer, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion. Breakfast was absolutely delicious, and the staff were friendly and helpful. I really enjoyed our stay.

The dietary options were the biggest concern for me during a recent regional course at Gävle's premier hotel. We had given advance notice on April 19th 2022 that we needed gluten-free and lactose-free food, yet the choices were limited and ran out quickly over the three-meal service. When that happened, the alternatives, a small selection of sorbet and dry cupcakes, weren't satisfactory. Breakfast was sparse for anyone avoiding gluten too, with only a small section of plain, dry bread. I expected a more inclusive approach to specific dietary needs, particularly in Sweden, which is known for hospitality. There were issues with the facilities as well. Our first conference room didn't work for a group of 18, although they provided a larger space the next day. The general accommodation areas need updating, and the black toilet seats made it hard to tell whether the bathrooms were clean. I also noticed there was no floor heating, which is common in Swedish hotels. Hospitality, dietary accommodation, and the facilities all need improvement. People with special requirements, including event planners, may want to consider these points when choosing a place in Gävle.

The breakfast was heavenly, with plenty of choices and even a waffle maker. But arriving after about 9:30-10:00 meant walking on a very sticky, grubby floor left by messy eaters. The shower was another problem: the glass divider didn't keep water in, so the bathroom flooded every time for all four days. There were grubby marks on the wall by the pull-down bunk, and the fridge still had leftovers from the previous guests. We stayed in a family room, and based on our past experience with 4-star hotels, this felt much closer to 3-star. The reception looked amazing and the staff were super friendly. We arrived during the height of a 36-40 degree Celsius heatwave and expected air conditioning, but there was none in our room. They did provide a fan. If you have young kids, you might like this place more than we did with older teenagers, especially if you often stay in 4-5-star hotels. Our next stop was Nordic Light in Stockholm, from the same group but aimed at business travellers, and that was definitely a higher-end hotel worth its 4 stars.

The staff were caring and pleasant, and the rooms are very good. Recommended for families.