Elite Stadshotellet Karlstad, Hotel & Spa

I picked this hotel because I wanted an in-house restaurant, but the service was lousy and the room was mediocre. When I arrived at 21:40, I asked reception when the restaurant closed and was told 23:00. Yet when I went down at 21:59, I was told the kitchen had already closed and I couldn't get served. So it was the BAR that stayed open until 23:00. The arrogant, dim-witted man didn't even offer a decent apology. The room had plenty of other problems. The bedside lamp couldn't be used because there was no socket for it. The TV only had Swedish channels, and even Sky News said “No Programme Available.” There were windows, but all I could see was a concrete wall. The water heater and coffee were shoved at the bottom of the closet, making a simple cup of coffee a whole project. If that all sounds appealing, this hotel is for you. I can't recommend it.

The spa was lovely and relaxing, although the reclining couches seemed like a poor choice since they soak up moisture. Breakfast felt hectic, and either the eggs or bacon were really bad, as I had an upset stomach for several days after our visit. Our room looked straight into another building, and the beds were a bit old. The interior could use an update, and the TV was useless because the speakers barely worked. You get what you pay for, I guess. A nice hotel, but confusing. I'd give it 3.5/5, as some things could be polished up and updated.

The room was roomy, and breakfast had a wide selection. The bed was so soft it felt like it could swallow a suitcase. There was no ventilation besides the window, which faced the street, and someone partied late underneath it. The bathroom setup was awkward. The sink took up too much of the counter, the shower controls weren't clearly marked, and the knobs were hard to turn with wet hands. I ended up using a hand towel to switch the water on and off.

This is still my favorite place to stay in Karlstad. The city view from the room was lovely, the breakfast was great, and the rooms were decent. There's good parking, too, in a great location. The staff are helpful and nice, especially Pontus.