Hotel Clarion Stockholm

The Clarion was located in the district Södermalm at Ringvägen/corner Götgatan at the subway station Skanskull and with that, it was perfectly tied to the city center; in the direct neighborhood were all stores of everyday necessities just like indoor and open-air pool. On Ringvägen was also traffic at night. We were surprised to see remarkably many fighting dogs in Södermalm just like beggars in the subway in the evenings.

Our first practically service-free hotel! The staff which was visible for us was limited to the receptionist as well as an admission inspector and two clearers in the estimated 500 square meters large breakfast hall. So guest service didn't take place. At breakfast, you fought yourself through to a free table, stumbled over leftovers at that and everything that otherwise fell down, wiped the leftovers of the previous guest from the table with the ellbow, didn't only get food and drinks from the buffet but also silverware, napkins etc.

We only "enjoyed" the breakfast. Amazingly, the restaurant and a bar were closed due to holidays (!) during our holiday during the main holiday period. The breakfast offered a large selection, also 4 sorts of herring; so fish products, melons, oranges, apples, tomatoes, cucumbers, everything cut in large pieces. The presentation was functional to careless. The breakfast hall had the charm of a cafeteria, the tabletops were in easy-care wood look, all metal chairs were damaged (upholstery fabric torn, chair legs bent), the carpet was in an easy-care design but always full of leftovers.

The spa area was in the 7th floor. The Clarion had a gym and a pool according to the description. A whirlpool was meant with pool. The latter was got rid of a while ago due to a defect. The alibi gym was a tiny room with a couple pieces of equipment. The sauna made a usable impression even if this was also a service-free area.

Our quite small room was to the Ringvägen in 6th floor. Opposite was a less attraktive housing area. The rooms were bright due to windows which went down to the floor. The furnishing was functional. The closet had a depth of 30 centimeters. A bathtub would have fit into the bathroom considering the size, instead, a huge shower was installed. The knockout criterion for the room was that no window could be opened. Airing was impossible. The forced airing with the air conditioning couldn't be adjusted, neither the temparature nor the amount of air which we thought was insufficient; our musty room was much too warm to sleep. We had the impression that the windows couldn't be opened anywhere in the hotel. The room cleaning was poor. After the room service, we found film and paper rests on the carpet which we hadn't left there at all. The beds were badly made.

Absolutely recommended was the renting of bicycles. A lessor with good bicycles was on Djurgarden directly at the bridge to the mainland. Despite the many perfectly laid out cycleways, we hardly met other cyclists, for example when we drove to the Drottningholm Palace. Away from the touristic paths, you found a swimming restaurant and café with beautiful view at the promenade of the Malären on Kungsholm. Interesting was also Pampas Marina where many houseboats were; there, there was also a nice restaurant at and on the water as well as several veteran steamers.