“Lovely waterfront hotel in Stockholm”

This hotel is very comfortable for a 5-night stay, a 15-minute walk from the station easy accessible by tram and bus. They offer an awesome breakfast and the staff is wonderful: Carina and Ida were most helpful and considerate during our recent stays. We appreciated the luggage storage and the 2-4 … more

This hotel is very comfortable for a 5-night stay, a 15-minute walk from the station easy accessible by tram and bus. They offer an awesome breakfast and the staff is wonderful: Carina and Ida were most helpful and considerate during our recent stays. We appreciated the luggage storage and the 2-4 hour coffee/tea/water and cookies. The Strand is pretty noisy until about 1:30 am, with fast, loud cars and motorcycles racing along the roadway, which you hear from any room. Our room #2 was facing the side street across from the Royal Stables and it was charming to hear the clip clop of the horses out for their morning exercise. We were upgraded graciously on our one-night return, just as Taylor Swift was leaving the city, so that was a pleasant surprise. We walked to all our tourist sights, but if our feet were sore, the trams and buses were easy to use. They only occupy 2 floors of their building, with no elevator, and Ida actually insisted on carrying my rollerboard up the winding staircase for me on our second stay since my knee was giving me trouble and I was using my cane that evening. Service above and beyond! They have a wonderful living room on the second floor and a smaller lounge on the first floor. We highly recommend this hotel, especially for 3/4's of the year when it isn't hot outside.

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“Fantastic Old World Charm”

Is the Esplanade a “perfect” Swedish hotel?… Nope Does this matter?…. not at all! In fact, this is a big part of the Charm!! Stockholm is one of our favorite cities to visit. Over the years, we’ve stayed in many hotels… design hotels, 4 star hotels, a rock and roll hotel, even a hotel on the wa… more

Is the Esplanade a “perfect” Swedish hotel?… Nope Does this matter?…. not at all! In fact, this is a big part of the Charm!! Stockholm is one of our favorite cities to visit. Over the years, we’ve stayed in many hotels… design hotels, 4 star hotels, a rock and roll hotel, even a hotel on the water- accessible via a water taxi. All have been fantastic experiences, yet, we find ourselves returning to Esplanade, visit after visit. Sure, it’s a bit long in the tooth and It doesn’t have all the “fancy” amenities - like an elevator. But, it has many, more important attributes, history, comfort and charm. In an increasingly homogenous world, it’s so comforting to be in a place with an authentic Old World charm. The rooms are beautiful. Bathrooms are small, but the shower is wonderful and powerful. Beds are crazy comfortable. Pillows and linens playing their role. It’s only like 40 rooms and they are all on one floor. Where does that happen?! The sitting room at the top of the stairs is glorious. Period furniture and Joseph Frank textiles. Like a mid century realization of Svenst Tenn, Quiet elegance. Perfect spot for an afternoon computer time or a glass of wine We can stay in a “design” hotel in any city in the world. The experience is always pleasant and predictable. Yawn! If John Irving or Wes Anderson were writing about Stockholm, the Esplanade would a central “character”.

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“Grande old dame in absolutely perfect location!”

We were thrilled with our stay at the Hotel Esplanade. Staff was very gracious, breakfast display absolutely astounding. Make sure you book a superior or deluxe room, it truly makes ALL the difference in comfort and especially noise. The location of this hotel is simply incredible, central and wal… more

We were thrilled with our stay at the Hotel Esplanade. Staff was very gracious, breakfast display absolutely astounding. Make sure you book a superior or deluxe room, it truly makes ALL the difference in comfort and especially noise. The location of this hotel is simply incredible, central and walking distance to "everything." Prices (by Stockholm standards) were acceptable, with a nice Best Western discount. Would definitely return, Stockholm is a great and beautiful city, so rich in history, and this hotel made it all the better for us friends.

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“Up for an update?”

Even though the Esplande belongs to a corporate group, it doesn’t have that feel. The small(-ish) hotel is housed in a charming period building with plenty of original features with long oriental rugs giving it a nice touch. The surroundings in Östermalm by the sea are the best in town. But it is … more

Even though the Esplande belongs to a corporate group, it doesn’t have that feel. The small(-ish) hotel is housed in a charming period building with plenty of original features with long oriental rugs giving it a nice touch. The surroundings in Östermalm by the sea are the best in town. But it is all slightly dated. The plastic bathroom fixtures are cheap, and the tiling is worn. I can’t honestly say that our small room with its minuscule bathroom is the four-stars as advertised, but the other features of the hotel do slightly make up for what is lost otherwise. There is a wonderful common area with a balcony opening towards the sea. There one can sit and enjoy the complimentary coffee and muffins.

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