Scandic Star Sollentuna

Booking.com showed 4 rooms available, but when I arrived, I was abruptly told they were all dirty. With nowhere to stay at 0100, I was given 10 minutes to sit down and find somewhere else. I worked as a Hotel Manager for 4 years in Oslo, at one of the best boutique hotels in Norway. I didn’t even stay the night, but I can say the customer service was terrible. It’s Sollentuna Scandic hotel, not The Ritz. Come back down to Earth.

The room made the trip feel bleak from the start: it was tiny and old-looking, with a little window facing a car park. The fridge had mold and a yellow stain, and the bathroom felt dated. The shampoos and conditioners were poor, and there were no tea or coffee makers, paper towels, vanity kits, or shower caps. It was basically just beds, lamps, and that stained mini fridge. Breakfast was a poor selection. The eggs smelled odd and were very oily, the pastrami and turkey made me feel nauseous for quite a while, and the croissants, cinnamon rolls, and other pastries were dry and tasted old. I stayed here with my family for a few days on my first visit to Stockholm, and the hotel got the stay off to a terrible start. Staff barely spoke English, and when I asked questions, they would smile and give any answer. I was handed a burnt iron, asked for another one, and never received it. Getting housekeeping meant going downstairs to ask at least three times. The train station is close, which was useful, but the location felt dead and lonely, with construction everywhere and no nature to look at. The hotel did not feel welcoming or friendly to tourists. For 2000 SEK a night, it was honestly a very bad stay and not worth the price.

The staff, from the cleaners to reception, were so friendly and helpful that we honestly felt like VIPs. Our rooms were spotless, the air-conditioning was lovely, and the beds were soft and comfortable. Breakfast was like heaven for us, especially since we hadn't been home to Sweden in seven years, and the buffet was unreal. We'd planned to stay just one night, but a flight cancellation meant we had to stay an extra night. It turned into an absolutely lovely stay. I can't praise the hotel enough, and I hope we get to return someday.

Breakfast had so many tasty options that it was hard to decide what to eat and what to leave. The room was spotless, and the bed was comfortable. The hotel is beautifully designed and decorated, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. The service was amazing. I'd highly recommend it, especially for a VIP-like experience at a great value.