Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm Kungsholmen

A comfortable business hotel that is good value for Stockholm and an up-to-date example of the Marriott Courtyard style

BACKGROUND When this Courtyard opened in 2010 it was the first from the brand in Scandinavia and the largest Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Europe, although since then the group has added several hundred more around the world.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? This modern property in a residential district is a comfortable business hotel, good value for Stockholm and provides an up-todate example of the Marriott Courtyard style. The reception is bright and spacious, and leads straight through to the bar and restaurant on one side, and to the lifts for the 11 floors of rooms. Staff were welcoming and spoke excellent English, explaining about the restaurant (which was about to close when we arrived late on a Friday evening) and offering us the chance to book the bicycles outside (which turned out to be reserved all weekend).

WHERE IS IT? On Kungsholmen, an island (although you wouldn’t know it) just to the west of the centre of Stockholm. The hotel is located just across from Ralambshovs Park, leading down to the water’s edge of Lake Malaren and a pleasant 30-minute walk into the city centre along Norr Malarstrand and past the City Hall. It is a five-minute walk to Fridhemsplan metro station, two stops from Central. A coach – the Flygbussarna – runs to Arlanda airport regularly from Fridhemsplan, taking about 40 minutes; it also offers free wifi.

ROOMS The 279 rooms start from 26 sqm and come in four categories – Deluxe, Premium, Superior and one Studio. They feature bright pine headboards and moody yet colourful shots of Stockholm urban landscapes. Provided as standard are free wifi, tea and coffee, laptop safes, showers, good-sized workdesks and plenty of plug sockets. Superior rooms also have baths and iPod docks. None of the windows open, although there is good air conditioning. Rooms on one side of the hotel have great views over the parkland and lake. Premium rooms are on the upper levels, while the single Studio is on the top floor.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS The hotel’s groundfloor restaurant is called Bjork Bar and Grill (a reference to the Swedish word for birch tree rather than the Icelandic singer – appropriate, given the venue’s timber features). We had a bar snack on the first evening and a meal on the second evening, and both were fine, with a good amount of choice and not too expensive (for Stockholm, at least). Alcohol is costly, but rooms have empty minibars so you have the option of shopping locally and then having a drink or two in your room before going out.

MEETING FACILITIES The second floor is dedicated to meetings and has 12 rooms of varying sizes, totalling 1,500 sqm. The largest is a ballroom for up to 400 people, with a ceiling height of up to eight metres. As we were here on a weekend they were not being used but I imagine this is a big part of the hotel’s business. There is also an underground car park.

LEISURE FACILITIES There is a good-sized gym with cardio machines and a large selection of free weights, plus a side room for stretching. Tom Otley

VERDICT While the hotel isn’t in the historic centre, its location has lots of advantages, from the views across the park to good transport links to all parts of the city and the airport. You also get a better sense of Stockholm being in this smart residential area, and it’s a good spot to explore further afield too.

PRICE Internet rates for a midweek flexible stay in November started from 2,075 kr (£197) for a Deluxe room.

CONTACT Kungsholmen, Ralambshovsleden 50; tel +46 8441 3100; marriott.co.uk