Hotel Gamla Stan, BW Signature Collection

The location is great, with restaurants, shops and transport close by, and breakfast was fantastic. But a few things would stop me from booking again. The bed had no mattress, just a two inch pad over the box spring. The shower swung between ice cold and dangerously hot, even though I like a hot shower. With no shower door, water covered the bathroom floor and ran onto the bedroom carpet. Also, the front entrance has about five steps, and we had to carry all our bags up ourselves without staff help.

The lobby was a cozy place to sit, with free coffee, tea and snacks, plus alcoholic drinks for sale from a fridge. Our room was mostly quiet, though an alarm in the neighboring room went off at 5:30 AM. There was an elevator for luggage. A few steps lead up from the street, and there may be a few more between the elevator and your room depending on where it is. Breakfast didn't fit our schedule, so I can't comment on it. We stayed one night at Hotel Gamla Stan, our first time in Gamla Stan despite having visited Sweden many times. The spot by the water is fantastic, just steps from the historic old town. The room was small, as you'd expect there, but fine for one night. Our window looked onto a pretty little alley with a glimpse of the water. The bed and pillows were comfortable, and we appreciated the kettle and tea and coffee. The bathroom was tiny, with nowhere to put toiletries, and the shower sprayed a little outside its area. There was no fridge in the room, but the staff kindly kept an item that needed chilling in their own fridge until checkout. They were welcoming and efficient, and check-in and checkout were quick and smooth. It's a charming base for exploring central Stockholm.

We were stuck after we couldn't get into our Airbnb, and two hotels had no late rooms available. At Gamla Stan, Johan, the night clerk, welcomed us and quickly got us a room. He was very kind and made us feel at home. That kind of service is rare, and I'd recommend the hotel to anyone visiting Stockholm.

Please don't spend your money here. I paid Euro 233, while the beautiful HILTON, just 100 meters farther, had a room for E 175. The rooms at Gamla Stan are dirty little boxes. It was 2 C outside, the heat didn't work, and cold air came through the old windows. Reception said they couldn't do anything except bring another blanket. The bathroom and shower were so dirty and cramped I could hardly move. At checkout I explained this, and the receptionist just said, while on his phone, 'eh well one night not a big deal'. When I asked for a manager, he said Antonio Manager doesn't work weekends, so there was nothing he could do. There's a HILTON around the corner that's much better and cheaper.