We spent our Easter in Stockholm, exploring the city and checking how dog-friendly is Swedish capital. First thing to check was how conveniently we can find accommodation with our dog. Hotel C Stockholm offered help and invited us for 2-night stay to test their Cool City Package.
The history of Hotel C
Hotel C Stockholm, originally Nordic Sea, opened its doors in 2001. It gained instant fame for housing the world’s first permanent ice bar, a collaboration with the famous Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi that was built using ice from the Torne River.
In 2009, the hotel joined the Nordic Choice Hotels chain and underwent a significant renovation in 2014. It transformed the design to reflect different areas of Stockholm, solidifying the hotel’s commitment to offering an authentic Stockholm experience. This commitment is further echoed in the Stockholm Information Desk (currently closed), the lobby shop featuring local designers, and the knowledgeable receptionists. The name change to Hotel C Stockholm in 2017 cemented this transformation.
Cool City Package at Hotel C – what’s included
We were offered to test Cool City stay package. It can be booked through hotel’s website and costs from SEK 1436 per night (additional costs come with better room standard or bed size or if you want to book parking spot or pet stay).
In the price is included:
- One night stay at Hotel C Stockholm
- Entry to Ice Bar Stockholm with one drink included
- Breakfast
- Access to hotel gym and WiFi connection.
Hotel C Stockholm location
Hotel C is located in central Stockholm, next to Stockholm Central Station with entrance facing Arlanda Express station and in close proximity to Flyggbussarna stop. So whether you’re arriving to Stockholm by train or plane, you’ll conveniently find your wat to the hotel.
Parking
Parking spots are offered at the garage under the hotel so for those travelling by car (like us), this is the most convenient solution. Parking is operated by Pair and you can book your place online on hotel’s website. Cost is SEK 495 for a day for conventional car and SEK 695 a day for electric car (with possibility to load car’s batteries).
After booking, you get an e-mail with access details and code to open gates. Make sure you visit the website linked in booking confirmation. I didn’t – this was a mistake. E-mail says to enter PIN code, however keyboard is located on the right side, on the walls so it requires someone to leave the car. What I didn’t know and what wasn’t written in the e-mail, website linked contains buttons to open both garage gates remotely, on click. I realised that too late 😀
Superior Room
We’ve been accommodated in a Superior Room with 160cm continental bed, convenient workspace, small leisure area with two chairs and bathroom with bathtub and shower.
What I liked about the room are photos on the walls with views of what is characteristic for Stockholm as well as Stockholm-related posters and postcards. Honestly, I am now thinking of buying one of them and hang in my office.
Bathroom came equipped with shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and liquid soap. Each person got two towels – small and big one. Bathroom rug was also available to put on the floor while taking a bath or shower. In the room you have also access to hairdryer, safe, iron and ironing board.
Rooms don’t have a fridge but you can use those located in luggage storage area (ask at the front desk). However, there are water and ice dispensers located in the corridors so you have access to cold, fresh water anytime.
One of biggest advantages for us was a possibility to open one of the windows. Many hotels located in city centres and high buildings have only air conditioning available. Unfortunately AC-only rooms makes out night sleep much worse and we always wake up with sore throats. This wasn’t the case in this hotel. We woke up twice full of energy after good night sleep and ready to explore Stockholm.
Breakfast at Hotel C
Breakfast is served in a dedicated area in form of a buffet. Range of food options available is broad and satisfying. Honestly, it even may be difficult to make up your mind, especially while coming just for one night when you have only one breakfast opportunity.
The buffet is divided into different sections:
- Bread section, including rolls and toast bread.
- Cereal & yoghurt with different kinds of musli and fresh fruits.
- Warm buffet with scrambled eggs, small sausages, bacon, pancakes (with whipped cream, chocolate cream, strawberry and raspberry sauces) and hard boiled eggs.
- Cold buffet with ham, cheese (including blue cheese) and fresh vegetables.
- Drinks – tea, coffee, fresh orange juice, other juices from dispenser, smoothie.
Worth mentioning is fact that there were many lactose-free and vegan options so all dietary requirements were fulfilled.
Overall, whole breakfast experience was well-composed and supported healthy food choices. All possible personal preferences were considered as well as different ethnical background of hotel guests coming from variety of countries. It definitely left the feeling of satisfaction and was giving much energy for exploring the city and other daily activities.
Stay with your dog at Hotel C
Dogs can stay in the hotel for additional fee of SEK 300. Maximum of two pets are allowed in one room and it’s possible to add them to your booking for rooms with all standards except of “Moderate”.
After entering the room, comfortable dog bed, a bowl and poop bags were waiting for us and Homer. In addition, door tag with “Pets inside” sign was available so we could make sure the staff will be aware we’re not alone and dog may be inside while we’re on breakfast or somewhere else.
Our room was a bit hidden in the corner of the building so not many people were walking under our doors – this is super helpful for pets that don’t feel confident in new places and may stress hearing noises outside.
Of course, every dog will be different but Homer felt like home immediately, loved his temporary bed and wanted to go straight to sleep.
ICEBAR experience
ICEBAR Stockholm by ICEHOTEL is the world’s first permanent ice bar that is demolished and rebuilt every year – always with a new theme. The interior is sculpted from 40 tons of natural ice from the Torne River by ice sculptors from ICEHOTEL. ICEBAR has been a popular attraction in Stockholm since its opening in 2002.
This year’s edition theme is Tales of a Frozen City. There you can peek into individual stories that meet in a frosty urban environment. It was designed by Luc Voisin and Mathieu
The temperature inside is constant – 5°C. The entrance fee (SEK 265 or SEK 245 if non-alcoholic) includes a drink and a visit of up to 45 minutes. Children are welcome, and in that case a colorful non-alcoholic drink is served. All visitors borrow a thermal cape and a pair of gloves to keep warm and to protect the ice from their body heat.
We tried three different drinks – Abisko (light rose) that felt the most alcoholic, Anchorage (green) which was the most fruity and refreshing and San Francisco (orange) which was the sweetest and my personal favourite.
Other facilities at Hotel C
While booking your stay on hotel’s website, you can choose some additional options.
Snack sets – Hotellmys (SEK 175 that contains apple juice, popcorn, chocolate and candies). Festtajm (SEK 230 that contains two Carlsberg Hof beer and two small packs of crisps) or Kärleksgest (SEK 360 that contains small bottle of Cava, chocolate and bathrobe).
Additionally, you can book services like late check out (until 16:00 – SEK 300), early check in (12:00-15:00, SEK 500) or ice bucket for SEK 50.
On top of that, all guests have access to free WiFi and hotel gym (equipped with basic cardio machines and free weights zone). Additional services like laundry, luggage storage or lobby shop open 24/7 that offers not only snacks and drinks but also souvenirs, art pieces (posters, magnets, postcards) or… ice mold to bring home your own icy glasses!
Safety and environment at Hotel C
The hotel follows high safety and environmental standards. Elevators operate only with access cards and hotel is equipped with clear evacuation instructions as well as water sprinklers in case of fire emergency.
The use of chemicals is reduced, those that are used are certified as environmentally friendly. The cosmetics offered in the rooms are certified with NATURE certificate.
Food served in the restaurant and breakfast buffet follows ISO 14001 restrictions (as a food safety engineer I can tell – it’s important) and the hotel tries to increase the number of locally produced and organic products served.
On top of that, all organic waste is turned into biogas and according to hotel’s policy no food containing palm oil, genetically modified food or bottled still water will be served both in restaurant and during breakfasts.
Summary
We enjoyed our stay in this hotel and will gladly come back. The rooms were comfortable, atmosphere nice and friendly, our dog was welcomed, food tasty and thanks to the best possible location, we saw the crucial parts of Stockholm without need to use public transport. Big recommendation!
