Top hotel brands in Sweden – from large hotel chains to playful resorts

Scandic Hotels

Scandic is the largest hotel operator in the Nordic countries, with some 280 hotels in total. The hotels can be found in over 35 Swedish cities – from Kiruna in the north to Malmö in the south. Scandic operates in the mid-market segment, and here are a few of the recently opened hotels in Sweden:

• Scandic Örebro Central – Scandic’s third hotel in Örebro and situated right by the central station. The lobby is designed by the renowned architectural firm Wingårdhs.
• Scandic Kiruna – located in the new city centre. The U-shaped façade is inspired by mount Kebnekaise, and inside you’ll find Sweden’s northernmost sky bar.
• Scandic Oceanhamnen – certified by the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and with panoramic views over the water, this hotel is the latest addition to Helsingborg’s new climate-smart district.
• Scandic Göteborg Central – one of the largest hotels in Gothenburg. Located a couple of hundred metres from the central station and with a Miami-inspired rooftop terrace.

Scandic is also behind several hotels in Stockholm that have become favourites among locals: Downtown Camper for staycations, Haymarket for drinks after work and Continental for the rooftop views.

Strawberry (Nordic Choice Hotels)

Strawberry – formerly known as Nordic Choice Hotels – gathers more than 200 hotels in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and the Baltics. In Sweden, the hotel chain covers 50 destinations, from Jukkasjärvi in the north to Trelleborg in the very south.

The hotels are divided into different brands: Comfort Hotels offer good locations and reasonable prices. Quality Hotels are focused on meetings and moments together. Clarion Collection Hotels are unique hotels with a cosy feeling and relaxed atmosphere, while Clarion Hotels aim to be more than just a hotel – living rather than just staying.

Strawberry also has a collection of independent hotels, including acclaimed crown jewels like Icehotel in Swedish Lapland, Copperhill Mountain Lodge in Åre and Yasuragi outside Stockholm. Some other independent hotels worth mentioning are:

• Selma Spa – the first spa hotel in Sweden, a large facility where relaxation and exercise go hand in hand. Located in Sunne.
• At Six – a modern five-star hotel in central Stockholm with contemporary art and a vibrant rooftop.
• Hobo Hotel – At Six’s curious and creative neighbour hotel. A boutique hotel focused on urban culture and new encounters.
• Vox Hotel – a design hotel by the notable Swedish hotel architect Magnus Månsson. Located in central Jönköping, overlooking Lake Vättern.

The charismatic founder of Strawberry, Petter Stordalen, is a celebrity on his own and frequently featured in the media.

Best Western Hotels and Resorts

Best Western has an extensive portfolio of different brands around the world. In Sweden, you can find Best Western hotels from Kiruna to Trelleborg – some 80 in total and no less than 25 in and around Stockholm and 10 in Gothenburg and beyond.

Best Western includes WorldHotels, with gems like Upper House in Gothenburg and The Winery Hotel in Solna. The brand also offers a range of popular hotels in central Stockholm:

• Hotel Frantz – a boutique hotel renowned for its breakfast buffet that always includes strawberry cake and non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
• Hotel Kung Carl – one of the oldest hotels in Stockholm, filled with antiques and constantly flirting with La Belle Epoque.
• NOFO Hotel – an eclectic boutique hotel and wine bar with room styles ranging from Scandinavian design to industrial vintage.

Also worth mentioning is the family-run Best Western Plus John Bauer Hotel in Jönköping, which was recently named hotel of the year in BWH Hotels Award.

Elite Hotels of Sweden

Elite Hotels covers Sweden with more than 40 hotels, from Kiruna to Malmö. The hotels are often housed in grand city buildings, such as Elite Hotel Knaust in Sundsvall, Elite Hotel Marina Tower in Stockholm and Elite Hotel Savoy in Malmö.

Elite Hotels is behind some of the recent most high-profile hotel openings:

• Wood Hotel by Elite – one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings where sustainability is a key factor. Listed as the best architecture of the year by The Guardian in 2021.
• Ad Astra by Elite – a destination hotel inspired by the Riviera, complete with a piazza and outdoor swimming pool. Opening in Södertälje in November 2022.

Elite Hotels has the same owner as the English-inspired pub chain The Bishops Arms, which is built into several of the hotels. And Vana, an upscale spa concept by Elite, can be found in four hotels so far.

Countryside Hotels

As the name suggests, Countryside Hotels is a collection of accommodations situated in an environment close to nature, often with a cultural and historical connection. Countryside Hotels gathers some 35 independent and privately owned accommodations from Hälsingland to Skåne, including castles, manor houses and boutique hotels.

Three examples of Countryside Hotels in smaller Swedish vacations gems are:

• Tällbergsgårdens Hotell – a former primary school in the idyllic wooden village of Tällberg, overlooking Lake Siljan.
• Hotell Järvsöbaden – originally a wellness guest house, today a modern spa hotel located in the outdoor activity-focused destination of Järvsö.
• Vadstena Klosterhotell – a historic hotel with some of the oldest buildings in Sweden, where St. Birgitta of Sweden founded her convent and order.

Other notable Countryside Hotels are the safari-inspired game reserve Eriksberg Hotel & Nature Reserve in the Blekinge archipelago, the floating design hotel Salt & Sill on the west coast and the historic manor house Wallby Säteri in Småland.

First Hotels

First Hotels is a Scandinavian hotel chain with a collection of 24 Swedish hotels. Besides Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, many hotels are centrally located in smaller cities and towns, covering Sweden from north to south.

The First Hotels range from ancient buildings to pop novelties:

• First Hotel Christian IV – named from a Danish king and housed in a former bank, this building has been voted the most beautiful in Kristianstad. The old bank vault is now a spacious wine cellar.
• First Hotel Kokoloko on the island of Gotland opened in 2019. A popular summertime spot among locals and tourists alike, the hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool and a rooftop terrace.

Visitors to The High Coast of Sweden can choose between two accommodations within the hotel chain – First Hotel Statt in Örnsköldsvik and First Hotel Stadt in Härnösand.

Radisson Hotels

The international hotel chain Radisson Hotels includes nine brands, of which Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson are the most common in Sweden. Currently, there are 14 hotels in seven Swedish cities: Uppsala, Solna, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Helsingborg, Lund and Malmö.

Many hotels have prime locations – these two hotels in Stockholm, with 400+ rooms each, couldn’t be more centrally located:

• Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel – adjacent to the central station and overlooking Stockholm City Hall and the Old Town.
• Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel – located next to the central station and with the on-site renowned fish restaurant Stockholm Fisk.

ESS Group

ESS Group is a playful Swedish hotel and restaurant company with 10 destinations and counting. The hotels are often built to be resorts with on-site pools, restaurants and bars. Eccentric décor and a quirky appeal are their hallmarks. ESS Group’s hotels can be found in middle and southern Sweden, with representation in all three largest cities:

• Ellery Beach House – a beach resort located on the outskirts of Stockholm. Inspired by Palm Springs in the 60s and 70s, with four heated swimming pools.
• Hotel Pigalle – a luxury boutique hotel in central Gothenburg. Influenced by the 1920s Art Deco era, this hotel is far from your everyday life.
• MJ’S – located in central Malmö, MJ’S is a hotel, restaurant and bar where more is more. The aim is to be an urban oasis for adventurous, outgoing and ‘slightly crazy’ guests.

ESS Group is expanding with the opening of Jacy’s in central Gothenburg in November 2022 and Örenäs Castle in Skåne in spring 2024.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy has a range of upscale hotel brands all over the world, from The Ritz-Carlton to Edition. In Sweden, there are nine hotels gathered in and around Stockholm. Sheraton Stockholm Hotel, in the city centre, is the only Sheraton hotel. Six of the hotels are members of Design Hotels, including the following two:

• Nobis Hotel Stockholm – a contemporary luxury hotel with a golden bar, situated on historic grounds. The robbery that coined the term “Stockholm syndrome” took place in this building.
• Stallmästaregården – an intimate boutique hotel close to the city yet immersed in nature. Stallmästaregården was the first inn in Stockholm and hosted Queen Kristina in the 1600s.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts

Hilton is a global hotel chain with brands like Waldorf Astoria, Conrad and DoubleTree. In Sweden, there is one accommodation: Hilton Stockholm Slussen. As the name suggests, the hotel is in central Stockholm and offers views over the waters of Riddarfjärden and the Old Town.

Accor

The Accor Group is represented by hotel brands in the luxury, premium, midscale and economy segments all over the world. In Sweden, there is one budget hotel: Ibis Styles Stockholm Odenplan. Centrally located in a cultural monument building, this design economy hotel caters to creative minds.