The trip from the airport was easy. You have the choice between the Arlanda Express train for SEK220 or a bus for SEK99. The train takes about 20-30 minutes and the bus will take 20-45 minutes depending on traffic. Since it was a Saturday afternoon, I hopped on the bus and landed at the central station downtown in about 25 minutes. The Sheraton Stockholm is centrally located, only 1-2 blocks from the station. Within five minutes walk I was standing at the Starwood Preferred Guest check-in desk.
Even though I was on an award reservation, I handed over my Starwood Gold card, my passport and my Starwood American Express. Much to my delight, she announced that she had a room for me on the executive club floor but would two beds be alright. Of course! I looked around me at the lobby before jumping in the elevator: it was a hub of activity, people taking drinks together, meeting informally and dining. A gas fire was giving off heat from a contemporary fireplace near the entrance.
I alighted on the seventh floor of the property and took a peek into the club lounge. It was modern but not large; probably six or seven tables throughout the room. A large flat-screen TV at one end blared out CNN. Two all-in-one flat-screen iMacs were tucked in a corner. There was a small fridge with serve-yourself drinks and a couple long countertops for breakfast the next morning.
My room was just around the corner and faced the inner courtyard of the hotel. No matter! It was bright and airy, with Scandinavian wood floors, pastel green wallpaper, thick white duvets, and even a fresh flower in the bathroom. At one end of the room, two sitting chairs and a table with a bottle of (free) EVian. The TV was a large flat-screen and faced the two beds, next to the desk. A very comfortable, clean and modern room indeed! I set my bags down and hurried out to dinner, noticing the ever-growing pile of dirty dishes in the hallway. (Great local restaurant by the way: Restaurant Pelikan at Blekingegatan 40. It's on the southern island and a reasonably far, but straightforward walk from the Sheraton.)
The Sheraton beds were very comfortable and I had no problem falling asleep. The shower was fantastic as well -- not set in a tub, but just a walk-in shower with a glass wall. The amentities were Molton Brown.
The next morning it seemed as the number of dishes in the hallway had multiplied! They were stacked and piled outside almost every door, it seemed. And although the hotel was clean, the dirty dishes, trays and towels definitely brought the ambiance down a few notches.
Breakfast in the lounge was very complete, although seating was a challenge. I ended up sharing a table with another businessman who ignored me the whole meal, engrossed in his Financial Times. Eggs, sausages and bacon -- the typical breakfast staples -- were of course there, accompanied by Swedish pancakes (much like crepes) and an assortment of breads, fruits, and yoghurts. One of the young hostesses moved between the tables offering to get coffee or tea for the guests.
The service representative in the lounge checked me out with no problems. I was sad my short stay was over as I hauled my bags across Gamla Stan to the Hilton (for business reasons). By comparison, I will say the Hilton is much less preferred. Although well-located, with great views of the city, the interior looks like a 1970s cruise liner with wood-lined walls, thick marble bathrooms and small bedrooms. It didn't help that I found blood stains on my bed sheets. I'll definitely stay at the Sheraton on my next trip as I have nothing bad to say about it, except the dishes in the hallway!
Review submitted by John P.
Posted at December 2, 2007 5:15 PM