On my first trip to Stockholm several years ago, I checked in at my hotel, obtained a key card and went happily trotting off to my room. I inserted the key, opened the door and observed, with some surprise, a young woman undressing.
She smiled and said, “I’ve been expecting you.”
What will Stockholm hotels think of next, I thought to myself.
She pointed to the television screen, where I could see my name, “Welcome to our hotel Mr. Grizzle.”
She explained that she had called reception only minutes earlier to request a late check out. Somewhere the lines of communications got crossed and she and I were double-booked – at least until she could leave. Obviously, this would not work, and so I apologized for barging in on her and returned to the front desk for another room.
I’ve returned to Stockholm many times, and I’ve stayed in a fair number of hotels. Not once since my first visit, however, has my room rate included a beautiful, scantily clad woman, but nonetheless, it never fails to impress me all that is included in a room rate.
Breakfast Worth Bragging About
If you’re North America, you’ve seen the free breakfast offered at some of our hotels in the States and in Canada. It’s rarely an impressive feast. More often than not, free breakfast consists of boxes of cereal, toast, juice and coffee, often in a not-so-attractive setting.
In contrast, the included breakfast at the Stockholm hotels where I’ve stayed is a Royal. In fact, if you’re one of those who considers breakfast to be the most important meal of the day, then you’re off to a good start in Stockholm.
Fill your plate with eggs, thick bacon or sausage, Swedish pancakes, and if you’re daring, pickled herring. I won’t go into additional details about the Swedish breakfast, but suffice to say that hotels serve up an impressive breakfast, and it is almost always included in the hotel room rate.
No gouging for internet
Sure, many hotels around the world now provide internet access free of charge, but last year in Canada, I stayed at a hotel where 24 hours internet access went for $24. Ouch!
An enterprising coffee-shop owner across the street had put up a big sign in front of his shop, “Free Internet Access.” I could see his sign from my room. Talk about product placement! So rather than pay $24, I spent my time at the coffee shop, sipping cappuccino and browsing free internet.
In Stockholm, almost all hotels provide internet access free of charge. Typically, wireless internet is offered in all rooms, but if you aren’t toting your laptop, you can always use one of the guests’ computers that you’ll find in the lobby or business centers of most hotels.
Bicycles
Some hotels even provide free use of bicycles, and bikes provide a great way to get around Stockholm. If nothing else, make sure you hop on a bike and pedal your way around Djurgarden.
Taxes
The rate you see is the rate you pay. No additional fees or taxes. When I checked Stockholm hotel rates for this summer, I found some incredible values at four- and five-star hotels.
With rates like that and all that’s included in Stockholm hotel rates, there’s little reason not to stay in Sweden’s capital city a few days before or after your cruise.
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