Lilla Mälardrottningen

The view over the water and nearby buildings at breakfast was lovely, and there was a big spread of both hot and cold dishes. We also had friendly service. Our room was small but cozy, and with the city center right outside, it was easy to make the most of our stay. A really unique hotel in the heart of Stockholm.

The rooms were quiet, and for such a low price the location is really handy. The food was okay. It could use more care, maintenance, and renovation, and it wasn't the cleanest hotel. In our travels, even five-star luxury hotels in Sweden haven't matched international standards, if you can call them luxury, so by local standards this one compares pretty well. Still, the price makes it worthwhile.

We booked two nights but left right away and moved to a hotel in the city. The ship had a strong, unpleasant sewage and plumbing smell throughout, and the room turned out to have bunk beds instead of the standard double bed I thought I had booked. As a couple on a romantic trip, that was a big letdown. The staff did try to find another room, but didn't have a better option. We didn't stay even one night, yet the cancellation policy meant we still had to pay for the first night. Check the room descriptions carefully and be ready for a really bad smell.

That glass-floored reading room, where you can look down at the engine, is the coziest. The place has loads of charm, and the staff and breakfast were both great. The location is right in the middle of the city, absolutely unbeatable. My favorite hotel I've ever stayed in.