I need to simply layover at ARN while on my way to HEL from OKC (i.e. perhaps also on the return). I read the other thread here about one housing at the airport, but can someone tell me how the Radisson between the terminals compares to the one "four minutes" away that apparently has some kind of (free?) shuttle? I think the first one is called Radisson SAS SkyCity Hotel and the other Radison SAS Arlandia Hotel.
If someone knows both properties, I am also curious if I would be better to press on to Helsinki and stay at the Hilton not far from the airport either coming or going.
If someone knows both properties, I am also curious if I would be better to press on to Helsinki and stay at the Hilton not far from the airport either coming or going.
Can't comment on the ARN properties, but I can tell you that the Hilton HEL Airport is actually within the airport itself -- no transfer necessary, just walk.
I know of some pretty bad Scandics but Scandic Brussels is not one of them. I guess we just have different expectations. It certainly is no Four Seasons but the superior rooms are nice and the location excellent.
There are more Scandics in Stockholm than in any other city. I'll let others give recommendations about them, as my knowledge of the Stockholm Scandics is not that extensive. Scandic's loyalty program is excellent as well, for those that can make use of it.
The Scandic Hasselbacken on Djurgarden is nice, and although not so central, it's a short walk to the ferry to Gamla Stan.
I haven't stayed at either Arlanda Radisson but know a bit of their history. The one that is 4 minutes away used to be the only airport hotel before the new terminals were built with the newer hotel in it (although even the newer hotel is like 10 years old now).
Regarding the Scandic chain in Nordic countries, they are good for what they are. I view them as a sort of an upscale, clean Motel 6 type chain where mostly everything is self-service and exceptions to the rules are not often made -- but they do have free high-speed internet access in the rooms, not too common in Europe.
Well, I have just checked in to one of the larger rooms at the Clarion Hotel Sign. My initial impression is that it is a medium level hotel with decent facilities but my room is, well, a bit weird. First off, there is no closet or wardrobe in the room. There is a 4 foot high cabinet that has a smallish section with a place to hang clothes -- if you stoop down to reach it.
I asked for a luggage rack (none in the room) and they said they didn't have any. They said that most people just put their luggage on the floor!
The Swedish modern desk chair I am sitting on is amazingly uncomfortable.
One corner of my room is entirely dark, probably because it has the same lighting allotment as the smaller rooms. As there are no power outlets anywhere near the dark section of the room, there probably is no easy way to fix this problem.
There are soap dispensers in the tiny bathroom (which could have easily been constructed much larger in this particular room), one by the sink, one by the shower, which is with the tub. The soap dispenser could not be reached when using the shower/tub as a tub, but they did provide one tiny bar of soap as well.
Room lighting overall is gloomy and insufficient. If you care about such things (I do), get an extra key on check-in to put in the slot by the door so that the utilities don't go off whenever you leave the room. Will see tomorrow if housekeeping removes it (in cheaper hotels this often happens).
Initially, I'd rate the Sign as able to compete with the local Sheraton in quality provided that the startup issues are dealt with (including, in addition to the room issues above, periodic long lines at the front desk). But it will never be an upscale or luxury hotel.
I need to simply layover at ARN while on my way to HEL from OKC (i.e. perhaps also on the return). I read the other thread here about one housing at the airport, but can someone tell me how the Radisson between the terminals compares to the one "four minutes" away that apparently has some kind of (free?) shuttle? I think the first one is called Radisson SAS SkyCity Hotel and the other Radison SAS Arlandia Hotel.
If someone knows both properties, I am also curious if I would be better to press on to Helsinki and stay at the Hilton not far from the airport either coming or going.
The Radisson Sky City at the airport itself is better than the "Arlandia" one that requires a shuttle bus from the airport. Of course prices are normally cheaper at Arlandia.
Instead of doing the Radisson Arlandia and if price points for the room were the same in central Stockholm, I prefer a hotel close to the central train station and would take Arlanda Express train (20 minutes) to the airport.
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We stayed 3nts at the Clarion Sign hotel back in May.. At 10000 Choice Rewards points per nt (including buffet breakfast) it was a great deal (I converted 10k Continental Miles via Amtrak to 30,000 Choice Points). Rooms were a good size but bare style, huge windows and the beds were quite comfy . The hotel is all glass, including the elevators. The hotel is walking distance from the train station and even Gamla Stan. There is a pool and spa. I'd definitely recommend staying there.
Instead of doing the Radisson Arlandia and if price points for the room were the same in central Stockholm, I prefer a hotel close to the central train station and would take Arlanda Express train (20 minutes) to the airport.
There are hundreds of hotel rooms right near the train station. The first Arlanda Express train leaves Stockholm Central at 04:35 so it's easy to catch an early flight without spending a night near the airport. The Nordic Sea is the very closest to the train platform -- I always see flight crews at early breakfast. Nordic Light is about 50 feet further away, and a bit more boutique-like. Both hotels feature Hastens beds, my favorite part!
Instead of staying in gloomy Radisson Arlandia or introvert Radisson Sky City, take the ARN Express to city center.
Sheraton has half of their rooms facing water, although after renovation there were some nice looking, but dysfunctional furniture equipped in junior and executive suites. Service great, walking distance or short taxi-hop to everything in city center.
Hilton Slussen has some rooms that are smaller than regular Hiltons, but layout compensates, and the view over the Old Town (Gamla Stan) amd water makes up for that. Lounge service terrific.
For Central Scandics, Continental is across the street from the railway, but beware at warm summer nights - no AC. Sergel Plaza used to be small flats for MP's before beeing rebuilt as a hotel. Location fine, rooms small and nothing to write home about. Early buffet BF if possible, this hotel often have large groups of tourists hoarding the buffet. Scandic Park is a hidden gem, very central, walking distance. For better rooms than what is better than average Scandic either pay (cheap on weekends and in summer) or get 3rd or Top Floor status, impossible for many of us, 25 or 45 nights respectively.
We stayed 3nts at the Clarion Sign hotel back in May.. At 10000 Choice Rewards points per nt (including buffet breakfast) it was a great deal (I converted 10k Continental Miles via Amtrak to 30,000 Choice Points). Rooms were a good size but bare style, huge windows and the beds were quite comfy . The hotel is all glass, including the elevators. The hotel is walking distance from the train station and even Gamla Stan. There is a pool and spa. I'd definitely recommend staying there.
Curious, in the end my colleagues and I decided that this was basically a convention hotel (not a surprise given it has the largest number of rooms in the city) with all that implies: i.e., even by Swedish standards, terrible service. It might be a good deal on points, but I'd never pay to stay there again.
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I'll be getting into ARN on an SAS flight at 23:00 the night before and leaving around 12:00 the next day. I will be returning from a side trip to Berlin, and will have already seen Stockholm (it was much cheaper to book separate tickets than a multi city). From the posts above, it seems like it is recommended to stay in the city and catch the ARN express back (which won't be hard for me with an 11:45 departure) but I would like somewhere near the airport. Can anyone recommend somewhere newer? Is the SAS Skycity my best bet at this point? Thanks
It seems this is a true NON CHAIN boutique hotel and from the pictures and trip advisor reviews it appears to be pretty good and much better value than the Scandic (they want more than 2X the rate they offer in this hotel!)
Just wondering is the location good:
Birger Jarlsgatan 24,
