“Tired hote; in beautiful surroundings”
Hasselbacken is located in the big Rotal Park Djurgarden. It has amazing views from the garden terraces facing the water. It is perfectly located for talkig a long walk in the park. The restaurant is lovely. But the rooms are tired and in desperate need of refurbishment. The minibars are empty for some reason, and there is only a soap dispenser in the shower and one by the sink. The Scandic hotels are not priced as budget hotels so not sure why there is a lack of hospitality there. The hotel shop is well stocked with papers, books, snacks and toiletries but surprised that there is nothing in the minibar whatsoever. The staff are helpful and attentive.
Area recommendations
Gamla Stan for hotels in the Winter (as too noisy in the Summer with windows open). Mosebacke and Fjallgatan up on the hill on the south side of Slussen has breathtaking views of all the islands. Take a ferry out in the archipelago. Beautiful all year round. In Winter, go for a roundtrip/cruise as most facilities are open in the Summer only. The bigger boats do lunch cruises. Go for a boat trip on the big lake on the other side of Slussen, have lunch on the boatr and visit Drottningholm Castle. Take the bus to the Haga park (north side of town, you pass it on your way in from the Airport to town). It has a lake and the 18th century Haga Castle has recently been restored to accommodate the newly married Crown Princess Victoria and her husband. Beautiful walks. Then finish with a lunch or dinner at the picturesque 18th century inn Stallmastaregarden by the lake. Similarly, Ulriksdals Wardshus is another 18th century inn, situated in another Royal Park just outside the city centre. In the Summer, there are opera performances close by. The Inn has the most celebrated smorgasboard in Stockholm and the Christmas version is just fabulous - come hungry!
Finally, don't miss out on the food halls. There are two - Hotorgshallen by Hotorget Square and Ostermalmshallen by Ostermalmstorg Square. They have all Nordic delicatessen and cosy cafes serve great fresh fish and seafood.
When to go
May - August or Dec -Feb are my favourites. May-June has the extreme daylight, Dec has great Christmas spirit, Jan-Feb you will experience a wonderful winter landscape. In particular, the archipelago is amazing both in Summer and Winter.
Dining
Swedes love to travel and Swedes love food. There are restaurants from all over teh world in Stockholm, representing both the favourite destinations for travelling Swedes (Thai, Vietnamese, Italian) and the ethnic minorities living in Stockholm (Middle Eastern, Ethiopian, Eritrean). But if you fancy something typically Swedish, you need to go elsewhere. Sweden is blessed with excellent fish, seafood and game. For nice traditional food (with a twist and maybe a bit of French influences) try Grodan (lively bar as well), Sturehof, Marten Trotzig (Old Town), Gyldene Freden (Old Town), Stallmastaregarden (Haga Park, 18th century Inn), Ulriksdals Wardshus (18th century Inn), Wardshuset Carl Michael (18th century Inn), the cafees/bistros in the food halls.
The other special treat in Sweden is the "Konditori" - a traditional cafe/coffee house, where they have amazing open sandwiches, lighter lunch dishes, cakes and chocolates. There is a reason why the big coffee chains have only recently opened in Sweden.
Family-friendly activities
Visit the Astrid Lindgren world - Junibacken - at Djurgarden. A wonderful children's museum with all the character from Astrid's books, like Pippi Longstocking, Emil, Madicken.
Most musuems have special areas for children, for example letting them dress up and experience being a child iin the 1800s.
