ApartDirect Gamla Stan

Stockholm's oldest stone building as a residential address

ApartDirect Gamla Stan is housed in what is described as Stockholm's oldest preserved stone building, at Prästgatan 50 in the heart of Gamla Stan. The hotel's own team describes the building as constructed in 1320 by swordsmith Staffan, who had a two-storey stone house built and used the city wall of the time as the back wall, with the cobbled street surface as the floor of the smithy. During the Middle Ages, crafts using open fire – bakeries, smokehouses and smithies – were prohibited within the city walls due to fire risk, and it was precisely this prohibition that drove Staffan to build in stone rather than wood.

In 1601, Henrik the Painter extended the original construction with a stable on the ground floor and three additional storeys on top of the old smithy, which created the property that today bears the address Prästgatan 50. According to the hotel's description, the great fire of 1625 – which lasted three days and destroyed a fifth of Stockholm's buildings – was stopped by the building's eastern wall, which prevented the flames from spreading westwards. On the back of the building, one can still supposedly see granite blocks that are likely remnants of the medieval city wall.

Prästgatan once ran along the inside of the wall that surrounded the city and is today one of Gamla Stan's most characteristic streets with its cobbled surface and pastel-coloured facades. For a guest, the location means staying in a building with medieval origins, with low door frames and irregular walls that are characteristic of the historical architecture. The facility is operated by ApartDirect, which also operates sister facilities at other addresses in Gamla Stan and elsewhere in Stockholm.

Four apartment types with self-catering and varying sizes

The facility offers four separate apartments in different sizes: a small option of 48 square metres, a studio concept of 49 square metres, a standard option of 55 square metres and a larger option of 63 square metres. All categories are designed with one bedroom, an additional room, a private bathroom with shower and a fully equipped kitchen. The kitchen is equipped with a cooker, refrigerator and microwave, and the apartments also have a washing machine and flat-screen TV. Preserved parquet flooring and tiled stoves feature in the apartments and reflect the building's historical character in a way that sets them apart from standard hotel rooms.

All apartments are advertised with city views and private entrance. Breakfast is not included and is not offered by the facility, which is a direct consequence of the self-catering concept. Room service is not available either. The apartment format suits travellers who want to cook their own meals or have access to their own kitchen during longer stays, for example business travellers or families who want home-like accommodation. Towels and bed linen are included in the stay.

The facility is entirely non-smoking. There is no lift in the building, which is important to consider when booking with heavy luggage or with reduced mobility. Weekly cleaning occurs during longer stays, but daily cleaning is not included in the standard stay. The concept suits travellers who are comfortable with independent apartment-style accommodation and is particularly suitable for those staying several nights and who value character and space over a traditional hotel room.

The Royal Palace and Gamla Stan's street life as nearest neighbours

Prästgatan 50 is located directly adjacent to Gamla Stan's busiest tourist routes. The Royal Palace is approximately 200 metres from the property, and Västerlånggatan – Gamla Stan's main pedestrian street with shops and restaurants – is just outside the door. This means that guests staying here have immediate access to some of Stockholm's most visited attractions without needing to plan transport, which is a notable advantage compared to hotels outside the city centre.

Gamla Stan underground station is approximately 300 metres from the property and can be reached in a few minutes' walk, which provides direct connections to other parts of Stockholm. In the immediate neighbourhood there are several restaurants and cafés along Gamla Stan's alleys and streets. The range of dining establishments in the area covers everything from quick lunch to evening dinner, which compensates well for breakfast not being included in the stay.

Stockholm Central Station is just over a kilometre away and can be reached on foot. Guests with luggage need to allow for walking on cobbled streets for some distance, as the narrow medieval alleys can limit the possibility of driving right up to the property. The cobbled surface and narrow alleys are part of Gamla Stan's character but can be inconvenient with rolling suitcases. Parking directly adjacent to the property is not available, and guests arriving by car need to plan for this in advance.

Self check-in without reception and payment without cash

ApartDirect Gamla Stan has no reception and no staffed front desk. The check-in process is digital: check-in instructions are communicated via email before arrival, and the facility needs to be informed of the expected arrival time in advance. The facility does not accept cash payment, which means card payment is a requirement for all guests. The digital arrangement means that guests need to keep an eye on their email and have a functioning mobile connection upon arrival for the process to run smoothly.

Check-in time starts at 15:00 and guests can check in until midnight. Check-out is no later than 11:00. Operations are handled by a maintenance team with access to support, but physical contact with staff is not part of the concept. The digital arrangement works well for travellers who are used to self-service and plan their arrival well in advance.

For guests who prefer a traditional hotel with a staffed reception and daily cleaning, this is an important consideration to make before booking. Weekly cleaning occurs during longer stays, but daily cleaning is not included in the standard stay. The concept is designed for travellers who are comfortable with digital communication and independent apartment-style accommodation. It is particularly suitable for those staying several nights and who want home-like accommodation with their own kitchen and own spaces, instead of a traditional hotel room with daily service.