Hotel Rival

Unquestionably Stockholm’s most stylish and comfortable rooms in this superbly designed hotel transformed from a 1930’s cinema

The well-travelled owner - ABBA’s Benny Andersson - knew exactly what he wanted from a hotel: chic, uplifting rooms with every imaginable comfort, superb food, and impeccably charming staff. You feel welcome as soon as you walk in.

Top Swedish designers were commissioned to create dazzling bespoke carpets, enticing bathrooms and sleek furniture. Bold colour schemes of pale grey, warm red and deep greens sit against polished wooden floors and huge windows with long swishing curtains in luxurious fabrics. A giant iconic image from Swedish cinema hangs above each bed. A pillow menu guarantees deep sleep, and an excellent entertainment system provides stimulus (with some ABBA on offer, of course). Rival effortlessly achieves that rare combination: striking modern design which is immediately pleasing. Add a superb bistro, a chic bar and a friendly café; the vibrant shops of Södermalm all around you – and this is arguably Stockholm's best place to stay.

Highs

• Stunning modern design: warm and welcoming rather than cool and aloof
• Perfect rooms: beds are wonderfully comfortable, and thoughtful details include DVD library, an iron, ipod dock and generous toiletries
• Great food: lavish breakfasts (among the best we have encountered), superb Sunday brunches, and the bar downstairs is popular for cocktails
• Great location: on Södermalm’s prettiest square, with shops and restaurants nearby, but a short walk to Slussen and Gamla Stan

Lows

• Larger than the average hotel featured on i-escape but we felt its charms outweighed any objection
• If you get one of the rooms outside the bar, you might hear some noise - though no thumping bass
• This is a newish building; you may prefer to stay somewhere old and historical