Hilton HHonors - Scandic Properties in Stockholm

I called and inquired about availability for a trip in November. I booked the Sergel Plaza for 17.5k for 2 nights. Is that the best Scandic property in town?

Hasselbacken is available on a point stretcher for an amazing 6k points. This is a renowned hotel, but is it any good these days? There were also a few other stretchers but all second rate properties.

Speaking of which, Scandic Järva Krog would be perfect location for some activities that I have planned. This is of course an ex Esso Motel property. Any reviews?

FYI, Scandic took over the Esso (as in Exxon) motels spread across Sweden. Thus, nearly all non-downtown Scandics are going to be ex-Esso motels.

We just returned from Sweden and I can tell you that Scandics are an iffy bunch. The one (don't remember the name) across from the railroad station looked really nice but it was full so we did not stay there. The excellent one was at Infracity near the airport (not exactly well located for touring the city) but it just became a full blown Hilton. Alas. We got it during the transition and the hotel was really nice and the staff very friendly. They threw upgrades at us.

That must be Sergel Plaza, which is pretty close to the railroad station..... that's where I am booked. They have tiny rooms, I have heard.

If you must use a HH hotel...

Scandic Park Hotel on Karlavagen is not too bad (given Stockholm hotel standards) and very close to Stureplan if that is where you intend to be.

Much better to stay in these Scandics than the Hilton (ex Scandic) at Slussen which thinks it can change from a Scandic to a Hilton just by putting some wood paneling in the room and charging twice as much.

[This message has been edited by venk (edited 10-08-2002).]

I am going for the 10,000 point award stay. Karlavagen is quite convenient but so is Sergels Torg.

Are you saying that the Park is better than Sergel Plaza?

I am Gold so should be able to UG if there is anything to UG to.

There is not much difference between the two. Don't expect much of anything for Gold since there is no lounge and breakfasts are included in the rates. They will give you 5Euro/per day coupons as HH Gold. Either one of the hotels is fine.

Park Hotels tends to be a bit cheaper if you are paying for it because of location.

Ok, thanks for the info. Yes, breakfast is always included in Sweden.

What about upgrades of any sort at these properties?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gnaget:
That must be Sergel Plaza, which is pretty close to the railroad station..... that's where I am booked. They have tiny rooms, I have heard.</font>

I suspect that it was the Scandic Continental, which is across the street from the Central Station. I stayed at the Continental this summer. The service was good, the location is good, and the rooms were nice, but very small by American standards. The bottom line is that I would stay there again. I had a friend that stayed in the Sergel Plaza. It sounded similar to the Continental.

One thing that you should know is that, when you stay in Scandic hotels, HHonors points are awarded by the length of stay (1000 points/night) rather than by bill.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gnaget:
I called and inquired about availability for a trip in November. I booked the Sergel Plaza for 17.5k for 2 nights. Is that the best Scandic property in town?

Hasselbacken is available on a point stretcher for an amazing 6k points. This is a renowned hotel, but is it any good these days? There were also a few other stretchers but all second rate properties.

Speaking of which, Scandic Järva Krog would be perfect location for some activities that I have planned. This is of course an ex Esso Motel property. Any reviews?

FYI, Scandic took over the Esso (as in Exxon) motels spread across Sweden. Thus, nearly all non-downtown Scandics are going to be ex-Esso motels.

</font>

Go for Hilton.
I stayed at Hilton Slussen this past weekend on PointStretcher. I was surprised to find PT availability. It wasn't listed on HH website. Convenient location. Walking distance to Old town, Bars, shops, and next to Slussen Metro station.
I was upgraded to a nice room with partial view of the water and offered free breakfast.

AndrewM

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AndrewM:
Go for Hilton.
I stayed at Hilton Slussen this past weekend on PointStretcher. I was surprised to find PT availability. It wasn't listed on HH website. Convenient location. Walking distance to Old town, Bars, shops, and next to Slussen Metro station.
I was upgraded to a nice room with partial view of the water and offered free breakfast.

AndrewM</font>

Isn't breakfast included for all stays at that Hotel as in any other Stockholm Hotel? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

The problem with this Hotel besides some maintenance issues are:

1. If you have business in the city center, you have to take the train. Getting there by cab in rush hour can be very difficult.

2. The executive lounge and executive rooms are still being built and not expected to be ready until the end of the year. I was given what they said was a business room (after they initially gave me a crappy room). There is nothing different about the business room other than it is on the waterfront side. If you get upgraded to the business room, be prepared for an even smaller room where you may have to crane your neck to get a view. In general, the problem with this Hotel is that there are only a few rooms that have good size and view and these are booked for paid customers. The rest of the rooms are comparable to the Scandics but at a much higher price.

3. The staff are not always fully aware of HHonors benefits as yet.

4. The Hotel gets very booked at times and so if you do not book an expensive room to start with, you will get a room on the street side with the adjacent building 20ft across. If the small room was not claustrophobic enough, the adjacent building will ensure it. Most Scandics in the city center will have better rooms than that.

5. It is as easy to walk to the old town from the Scandic in the station area than from Slussen.

If you are going on an award stay and you mainly want to do toursity things then this hotel may be worth considering. It does have airconditioning unlike most hotels in Stockholm and this was a desirable thing given how hot this summer was in Stockholm.

Most Hotels in Stockholm (except the newer Radissons) suck by US or European standards.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gnaget:
Ok, thanks for the info. Yes, breakfast is always included in Sweden.

What about upgrades of any sort at these properties?</font>

Scandics do not seem to have club or executive rooms so there is no such thing as an upgrade. You will probably get one of the good rooms they have available at the time of check-in but do not expect much from most Hotels in Stockholm.

Regarding free breakfasts: Don't know about Hilton in Stockholm, but I just learned that the new Hilton in Linköping charges 120 SEK per person for breakfast. I can imagine the disappointment when their guests realize there's no free breakfast!

Aha, things are getting Americanized.....

I am more familiar with the hotel situation in CPH. The newly built Hilton and Marriott are breaths of fresh air in that market.

Relabeling a tired Scandic as the Stockholm Hilton is pretty lame.....

Yes, the CPH Hilton is indeed a fantastic hotel in decor, service and amenities (including B&O audio and video equipment in the rooms). The only shortcoming I found was the rather inadequate breakfast in the executive lounge. Nevertheless, highly recommended. The paid buffet in the restaurant is very good.

Unfortunately I had to spend a night at Hilton Slussen right after a stay at CPH and you can imagine the letdown.

I just stayed at the Slussen Hilton. Unfortunately the Executive Floor and Clubroom were under renovation :-( but it will be reopened on October, 15th :-)

The Hotel is very nice located: Only a few steps from the old town and the city centre. Metro station 200m away.

Rooms are also comfortabel and quiet (marble bath, scandinavian style). The restaurant is very good, but rather expensive as eerything in Sweden

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by venk:
Yes, the CPH Hilton is indeed a fantastic hotel in decor, service and amenities (including B&O audio and video equipment in the rooms). The only shortcoming I found was the rather inadequate breakfast in the executive lounge. Nevertheless, highly recommended. The paid buffet in the restaurant is very good.

Unfortunately I had to spend a night at Hilton Slussen right after a stay at CPH and you can imagine the letdown.</font>

Yeah, I like the B&O touch. I think the main difference on the exec floor is the wall mounted B&O radio.

I managed to get breakfast included rates on my trips last year that also offered a CPH card, which gives you unlimited train and access to any museum. The buffet breakfast is awesome, as you point out. The exec lounge breakfast would be ok, IMO, if it were not for the contrast.

Well, I am staying at the Scandic CPH in a few weeks due to the 10k pt promo. This is the ex-Sheraton downtown. I am sure that it will be a huge letdown compared to the Airport Hilton........

Hi guys, I want to have travel in Stockholm and I want to be stopped in Scandic, please give the guidelines with what there is good and central, thanks.

My favorite hotel in Stockholm is Scandic Continental. If you arrive with arlandaexpress.com from Arlanda this hotel is just a few minutes away by walking from the train station. Like all Scandic hotels you will get a big continental breakfast.

From Scandic Continental you can walk to many tourist attractions in town, such as Gamla Stan etc.

We stayed at the Scandic Sergel Plaza. It is 5 minutes from the Scandic Continental and also centrally located.

The rooms were small but clean. Nothing extraordinary.

I would recommend redeeming Hilton Honors points for these Scandics if you have the points. You will get excellent value for your points.

Due to a big medical conference in Stockholm(One that return every 4th year) there is a black out period between the 2nd and the 7th of September at all Scandic hotels in the Stockholm region.

The Diamond guarantee will not be possible to use during this period.

This black out applies on both awards and regular rates.

The warning is appreciated.

Ok wanted to make a res for The Scandic Continental for next week 1 night and the DD told me there wasnt any standard room so no res or override can be done.

I then asked for The Scandic Sergel Plaza which I came across when I did a SEARCH. Was told no such Hotel. The rep said she can get me into The Scandic Park Stockholm I took it to have something.

The problem is I need it for 1 night only and wanted something close to the Main Arlanda Express Station as I have a flight out the next morning. Didnt want to stay near ARN as I want to beable to walk around Stk during the day/night that I will be there.

Is this Park Stk near the train station? is it a decent hotel in a decent section? is it walkable from the train meaning 10 mins walk? Any info on it Id appreciate. does anyone know if the Sergel Plaza is still apart of the Scandic Brand maybe renamed? Is there another Scandic that might fit my bill. again Im using Pts for a free night and would like to stay at a Scandic that is close to a train station that can get me to ARN in the morning and yet is centrally located for touring the city.

Ok wanted to make a res for The Scandic Continental for next week 1 night and the DD told me there wasnt any standard room so no res or override can be done.

I then asked for The Scandic Sergel Plaza which I came across when I did a SEARCH. Was told no such Hotel. The rep said she can get me into The Scandic Park Stockholm I took it to have something.

The problem is I need it for 1 night only and wanted something close to the Main Arlanda Express Station as I have a flight out the next morning. Didnt want to stay near ARN as I want to beable to walk around Stk during the day/night that I will be there.

Is this Park Stk near the train station? is it a decent hotel in a decent section? is it walkable from the train meaning 10 mins walk? Any info on it Id appreciate. does anyone know if the Sergel Plaza is still apart of the Scandic Brand maybe renamed? Is there another Scandic that might fit my bill. again Im using Pts for a free night and would like to stay at a Scandic that is close to a train station that can get me to ARN in the morning and yet is centrally located for touring the city.


The Sergel Park less than 10 minutes from the Continental walking and had a Scandic sign on it three weeks ago when we were in Stockholm. If you can't get into the Contintental, I believe it will be the closest Scandic to the train station. The Park is further away, add another 20 minutes walking.

Have you checked the Scandic website directly? These (http://www.scandic-hotels.se/dispatch/QuickFindForm?QuickFindEvent=&formName=QuickFindForm&) appear to be the hotels in Stockholm. Even though the site is in Swedish, it's fairly intuitive to check for rates. I found a $63 rate (500 Kroner) for Scandic Continental on Tuesday night next week. I picked an arbitrary date and perhaps the night you need to stay is more expensive. Do you need an award stay, or is that rate within your budget?

What's wrong with using the excellent English-language Scandic web pages (http://www.scandic-hotels.com/sitehomepage)? :)

The Scandic Sergel Plaza was a Scandic as of yesterday afternoon. And it still is this morning.

In terms of closeness to the train station: 1) Scandic Continental; 2) Scandic Sergel Plaza; and 3) everything else is a hike (and then some) away.

Scandic Anglais is what I use when the Continental is not available.

Thanks Everyone for the info with it I called up the DD and was able to get the Sergal Plaza. The rep yesterday told me the Park Stk was close to the Continental, Thats why I knew better and came to my fellow Fters for the info

Have you checked the Scandic website directly? These (http://www.scandic-hotels.se/dispatch/QuickFindForm?QuickFindEvent=&formName=QuickFindForm&) appear to be the hotels in Stockholm. Even though the site is in Swedish, it's fairly intuitive to check for rates. I found a $63 rate (500 Kroner) for Scandic Continental on Tuesday night next week. I picked an arbitrary date and perhaps the night you need to stay is more expensive. Do you need an award stay, or is that rate within your budget?

the problem with this room at this rate is its a Single Twin Bed, so theroom will be a closet and it states there are No Windows in the room. The next level in rooms was around $170 so Pts is better, Good news is that the DD indeed was able to confirm that The Sergel Plaza is still in Biz and switched the res to there from the Park which is like a mile away. The other Scandic only had a smoking room available on points.

But we are gonna take the Single Bed as a day room and either hope they give us a room with 2 beds or switch off using it. At laest we can leave our bags there as we walk the city.

the problem with this room at this rate is its a Single Twin Bed, so theroom will be a closet and it states there are No Windows in the room. The next level in rooms was around $170 so Pts is better, Good news is that the DD indeed was able to confirm that The Sergel Plaza is still in Biz and switched the res to there from the Park which is like a mile away. The other Scandic only had a smoking room available on points.

But we are gonna take the Single Bed as a day room and either hope they give us a room with 2 beds or switch off using it. At laest we can leave our bags there as we walk the city.

Maybe I didn't pay attention but what day of the week are you going? The hotel wasn't that full yesterday. Show them your Diamond card and ask for an upgrade to a bigger or a good room with a view. They will likely accomodate unless a big group is coming in and been promised something specific.

Maybe I didn't pay attention but what day of the week are you going? The hotel wasn't that full yesterday. Show them your Diamond card and ask for an upgrade to a bigger or a good room with a view. They will likely accomodate unless a big group is coming in and been promised something specific.

We'll be arriving on Mon 8/2 have aconnecting flight to GOT at around 8pm, we'll do CPH on the way back, at least this way we will see alittle of 2 diferent cities. We are both Diamonds but could be we wont use the room if we cant get into it around 9am, hopefully it wont be a problem as they can if need be turn it over by giving it to someone else for the night as we will be heading back to ARN by 6:30pm

Now that I did my homework of what to see in CPH back to the drawing boards for Stk. I guess simply walk around

We'll be arriving on Mon 8/2 have aconnecting flight to GOT at around 8pm, we'll do CPH on the way back, at least this way we will see alittle of 2 diferent cities. We are both Diamonds but could be we wont use the room if we cant get into it around 9am, hopefully it wont be a problem as they can if need be turn it over by giving it to someone else for the night as we will be heading back to ARN by 6:30pm

Now that I did my homework of what to see in CPH back to the drawing boards for Stk. I guess simply walk around

Go to www.britishairways.com and check out their destination guide for Stockholm. It'll give you the list of Stockholm highlights.

For September 2007, 2 rooms for 3 adults- 7 nights.
Taking my two 80 yr old parents.
Will do lots of sightseeing - mainly tours/walking.
Both are in good physical health/condition.
Will we get a free buffet breakfast on a reward stay?
Thanks.

For September 2007, 2 rooms for 3 adults- 7 nights.
Taking my two 80 yr old parents.
Will do lots of sightseeing - mainly tours/walking.
Both are in good physical health/condition.
Will we get a free buffet breakfast on a reward stay?
Thanks.

You will definitely get a free breakfast on a reward stay. Out of the downtown ones, I would recommend Scandic Park but you might want to look into the Scandic Anglais as well as they have recently reopened.

I second the opinion that Park and Anglais are pretty good choices, although I haven't had a chance yet to try the Anglais after the renovations. Note that with the change in reward category as of October 1st -06 those hotels will be cat 4 (30k per night). This puts them close to the Hilton Slussen which is a cat 5 (35k per night), and I think that the Slussen is in a pretty good location for walking around. Another nice choice is the Scandic Malmen which will be a cat 3 (25k per night), I like that area of the city with plenty of nice restaurants. Also the Malmen is right on top of the subway so the fact that it is not right in the middle of downtown is not a problem, just take the subway for a few stations and you can be in any area you want.

For Stockholm, I do Scandic Continental and Sergel Plaza/Torg the most. Then Scandic Malmen (in Sodermalm) and will once again be doing the Scandic Anglais rather frequently. Scandic Park is not bad either, but it is just less convenient for me. Scandic Anglais, talk about gutting the original building. :eek: I like it but it seems to have lost some character since the gutting and rebuild -- but not so much that I'd suggest not staying there.

definitely recommend anglais. Wife and I stayed there with an 86 year old aunt first week it reopened in July. Lots of teething problems but it should be a great hotel by Oct. And very nice free breakfast. Try to get a room overlooking the park. hotel is very central and 2 mins walk from a subway station, near to stores and a great foodmarket (forget name), and a 10-15 minute stroll to the waterfront. If you book prior to oct 1st they should honour the 10000 point rate I believe.

definitely recommend anglais. Wife and I stayed there with an 86 year old aunt first week it reopened in July. Lots of teething problems but it should be a great hotel by Oct. And very nice free breakfast. Try to get a room overlooking the park. hotel is very central and 2 mins walk from a subway station, near to stores and a great foodmarket (forget name), and a 10-15 minute stroll to the waterfront. If you book prior to oct 1st they should honour the 10000 point rate I believe.

I think you are referring to Saluhall for the foodmarket. Your details about the Scandic Anglais are spot on. It's also a good location for the better end of nightlife around Stockholm. (Scandic Malmen in Sodermalm is more of a younger crowd for nightlife and can be more rowdy than refined.)

I will try to book the Anglais.

Hi all, reading from the previous threads, I've ruled out Hilton Slussen.

So I'm trying to decide between Ariadne and Sergels Torg. Anyone who's stayed at either of these properties and could give me a run down, would be greatly appreciated.

Tack på förhand
Jason

Hi all, reading from the previous threads, I've ruled out Hilton Slussen.

So I'm trying to decide between Ariadne and Sergels Torg. Anyone who's stayed at either of these properties and could give me a run down, would be greatly appreciated.

Tack på förhand
JasonI don't stay in hotels in Stockholm that often, but given your choices I think the main question is "Transiting or visiting". The main reason I could see of anyone choosing the Ariadne would be that they either arrive late or leave early by ship from Värtan. The Ariadne used to be the "Silja Ariadne" and owned by the ferry company. It is quite a hike even to the closest subway station. The Sergels Plaza on the other hand... well, it is by Sergels Torg, i.e. as central as you can be.

P.S. Gillar du Cardigans? :D

I don't stay in hotels in Stockholm that often, but given your choices I think the main question is "Transiting or visiting". The main reason I could see of anyone choosing the Ariadne would be that they either arrive late or leave early by ship from Värtan. The Ariadne used to be the "Silja Ariadne" and owned by the ferry company. It is quite a hike even to the closest subway station. The Sergels Plaza on the other hand... well, it is by Sergels Torg, i.e. as central as you can be.

P.S. Gillar du Cardigans? :D

Thanks for the suggestion. we were going to stay at Ariadne to save $$ but I think Sergels Torg will be better.

Yes, I am a huge fan of the Cardigans since 1995 when I picked up their single Carnival in Jönköping.

Thanks for the suggestion. we were going to stay at Ariadne to save $$ but I think Sergels Torg will be better.

Yes, I am a huge fan of the Cardigans since 1995 when I picked up their single Carnival in Jönköping.

I do a lot of hotel stays in Stockholm and suggest the Sergels Torg for tourists over the Ariadne, principally because of the convenience of the Sergels Torg location. (Sergels Torg is not the most attractive area of Stockholm but it is convenient and the hotel is decent enough as Scandics go.)

Stayed in the Anglais for a week in January and was quite positively surprised. The room was pretty modern with a big flat screen dangling from the wall. The bathroom was big as it was suitable also for disabled persons.
A bonus was the hotel bar for me which was well frequented and lots of company especially towards the weekend. Breakfast was a quite large buffet style.

Stayed in the Anglais for a week in January and was quite positively surprised. The room was pretty modern with a big flat screen dangling from the wall. The bathroom was big as it was suitable also for disabled persons.
A bonus was the hotel bar for me which was well frequented and lots of company especially towards the weekend. Breakfast was a quite large buffet style.

That's my preferred Scandic hotel in Stockholm too. As the hotel has been completely overhauled and was recently renovated (i.e., completed last year only), the Scandic Anglais is generally my preferred Scandic hotel in Stockholm (i.e., if location-related compulsions don't exist).

Just seeing if there are any updates.

I am considering heading to Stockholm as a tourist in late August and Scandic Anglais (30,000 per night) and Hilton Slussen (35,000 per night) seem to be the most popular. I am Gold HHonors, if that makes a difference.

My priorities would be good walking location for sightseeing and secondary to get a nice, modern hotel for my points.

Appreciate any feedback.........

<Le petit bump> I'm also interested - will be there mid-July. Current possibilities are Hilton Slussen and Scandic Anglais. Thanks!

Just seeing if there are any updates.

I am considering heading to Stockholm as a tourist in late August and Scandic Anglais (30,000 per night) and Hilton Slussen (35,000 per night) seem to be the most popular. I am Gold HHonors, if that makes a difference.

My priorities would be good walking location for sightseeing and secondary to get a nice, modern hotel for my points.

Appreciate any feedback.........

I'd do the Scandic Anglais, because Ostermalm (i.e., the Scandic Anglais neighborhood) is more my cup of tea than Sodermalm (i.e., the Hilton Slussen neighborhood). The Scandic Anglais more recently renovated than the Hilton Slussen. The Hilton Slussen is closer to Gamla Stan (i.e., historical "Old Town"), but unless young -- yes, friendly most always -- drunks are your cup of tea (to be noticed on weekends in the area around Sodermalm nearest the Hilton), the Scandic Anglais is a a better part of town.

I can walk from the Hilton Slussen to Scandic Anglais in about 35 minutes or bike from the Hilton Slussen to the Scandic Anglais in about 10 minutes. Between the T-bana (i.e., subway) and walking, both are well situated.

The Scandic Anglais actually has an after-work and weekend scene while the Hilton Slussen no longer really has much of that. In summer, particularly on weekends, Stockholm residents who can try to get out of town -- something that is noticeable more around Ostermalm than around Sodermalm.

Personally, I'd save the extra 5k Hilton points and go for the Scandic Anglais since it's renovation was completed. (I do miss the french balconies which are not there post-renovation, but still it's a much more contemporary place than before.)

The Hilton Slussen is not known to be very good about treating Golds well. Even as a Diamond I've sometimes wondered why they were such a miser with upgrades and other things. The Scandic Anglais doesn't have much to give in terms of upgrades but a better room and/or better view they'll usually manage more consistently than the Hilton Slussen. Of course the best rooms at the Hilton Slussen are still nicer and have better views, but I'd still choose the Scandic Anglais over the Hilton Slussen.

JDiver, you may just miss me this time as I'm likely to be in the waters around Denmark then, or at least through the end of the second week of July. If you get around to it, the Stockholm archipelago or bike trips in the summer in and around Stockholm can be quite enjoyable.

Thanks, GUWonder, great information!

We'll be on the MS Island Star (small ship) inbound July 8 - we may cross wakes. ;)

I have a 5 night family room reward booked at a further off Scandic, Star Sollentuna, which was the only place I could get a family room for 3 adults and one teenager with the points I had in my account. My mother has dropped out of the trip, so now only 2 adults and one teenager, and I was thinking of trying to get a nicer Scandic in town.

I notice that with one adult, and one child selected, that I get some low 80 Euro a night rates. Since Hilton properties allow you to add a spouse for free, I don't know if I'd get in trouble booking one of these rooms or not. Some of the descriptions say two single beds, plus a pullout bed in a sofa. I'm not sure if they would upgrade us to a family room, or if we'd be stuck in the basement. :)

I think I'd rather have the 100k points I used on the reward (or at least get a nicer hotel), but just thought I'd ask for some input from my fellow Hilton folk.

Call up the desired hotel after making an award booking and see if they can accommodate a rollaway. The Scandic Sergel Plaza has some rooms that can accommodate a rollaway bed. Showing up without prior arrangements formalized is too much of a gamble unless sleeping on the floor is ok with someone. I say this having foun myself in awkward situations at all the city center Scandics even as a diamond. The hotel may or may not charge for the rollaway bed but usually they do not charge me if I make the request AFTER checking in.

I was wondering if I booked the cheapest two bed room (non-award), and then added my spouse, if there would be an upcharge or problem at this point. For a five night stay, it's a big difference between booking a 80 Euro room, and a 140 Euro room. If a room upgrade of some sort if normal, I'd prefer to save the money to spend on other things on the trip, and keep my 100k HH points. :)

It's too bad that the whole YVR-OTP deal came up after they went up from the 10k awards! Otherwise, I'd have had the nicest place for 10k, instead of a far off place for 20k.

I was wondering if I booked the cheapest two bed room (non-award), and then added my spouse, if there would be an upcharge or problem at this point. For a five night stay, it's a big difference between booking a 80 Euro room, and a 140 Euro room. If a room upgrade of some sort if normal, I'd prefer to save the money to spend on other things on the trip, and keep my 100k HH points. :)

It's too bad that the whole YVR-OTP deal came up after they went up from the 10k awards! Otherwise, I'd have had the nicest place for 10k, instead of a far off place for 20k.

Most of the two bed rooms at Scandic hotels in Stockholm and vicinity have each one of the two beds only big enough for a single person to sleep in comfortably. If you can manage to book the "family rooms", then there will be no problem; if you can't pull that off in advance, then an upcharge for a rollaway/suite is a possibility and it's even possible that no rollaway/suite is a possibility. Scandic hotels are pretty lousy about giving real good upgrades even to HHonors Diamonds -- and when a room says "no windows" it means no window usually; and when a room says "accomodates one person", it really only accomodates one person comfortably on the bed. That is, without prior understanding with the individual hotel properties, upcharges or other problems is too often going to be the outcome.

"I feel your pain" about the Scandic hotels having the category changes too.

Just a report on my stay at Scandic Sergels Torg. You simply can't beat the location, I was pleasantly surprised at the rooms as well and the full breakfast buffet was great.

As Gold members we were also given 50 SEK voucher for every night, free fruit and newspaper. Also got free entry to Gröna Lund (amusement park on Djurgården) through the front desk.

Had a very enjoyable 8 night stay at that property and would return.

Just a report on my stay at Scandic Sergels Torg. You simply can't beat the location, I was pleasantly surprised at the rooms as well and the full breakfast buffet was great.

As Gold members we were also given 50 SEK voucher for every night, free fruit and newspaper. Also got free entry to Gröna Lund (amusement park on Djurgården) through the front desk.

Had a very enjoyable 8 night stay at that property and would return.

How did you get free entry to Grona Lund through the front desk? (Might factor into my decision since friends are going to have the young ones along.)

I'm looking for a scandic that will sleep 3 and is convenient to central Stockholm and whatever the attractions are. Will be there mid-June 2008. Recommendations?