Best Western Hotel Karlaplan

Family-owned 1914 building with bespoke furniture and Persian carpets

Best Western Hotel Karlaplan is a family-owned hotel housed in an Östermalm property from 1914, most recently renovated in February 2024. The hotel was previously known as Clarion Collection Karlaplan and is now operated as an independently owned and run establishment within the BWH Hotels chain. It is therefore not a new chain concept but an older city building with preserved character, which is evident in both the façade and floor plan. The fact that the property is over a hundred years old means that the rooms vary in shape and size in a way that is rarely seen in modern chain hotels.

What most clearly distinguishes the interior from standard chain hotels is that each room has bespoke furniture manufactured specifically for that particular room, as well as a Persian carpet on the floor. This combination provides a homely atmosphere that is unusual in a hotel context. The bathrooms have underfloor heating, shower and hairdryer. The beds are from Jensen or Kungsängen, two well-known Swedish mattress manufacturers. The rooms have flat-screen TV with cable channels, kettle with tea and instant coffee, and free WiFi.

The property has a lift, luggage room, safe deposit box at reception, shoe polishing machine and dry cleaning. The reception is staffed around the clock, which is convenient for guests with late arrivals or early departures. Card payment is accepted and the hotel is non-smoking throughout. Pets are not allowed. The hotel offers accessibility facilities, including wheelchair access, lowered sink and toilet with armrests.

Room categories: from windowless basement rooms to family rooms with sofa bed

The hotel offers single rooms, double rooms and family rooms in several categories. The economy category comes in three variants according to the official website: a smaller single room with 90 cm bed and window, a windowless basement room with 120 cm single bed, and a windowless basement room with 140 cm double bed. The basement options are the cheapest categories and suit those who prioritise price over daylight. Since the property dates from 1914, it is natural that the basement level is utilised for accommodation, a solution that is common in older Stockholm buildings.

The Superior category has a king size bed and sofa bed, making it suitable for more than two guests. It is a practical solution for a small family or colleagues on a business trip who want to share a room without having to book a full family room. The family room has a king size bed combined with a sofa bed and is the only category with verified capacity for up to four guests. Early booking is recommended for family rooms as the number is limited.

According to Best Western's Swedish website, two children up to twelve years old stay free of charge together with two paying adults in existing furnishings. There are no extra beds available, which is important to consider when planning family trips with more children or older children who need their own sleeping space. Those who need a spacious room with daylight and space for more than two adults should choose Superior or Family room and check availability well in advance of arrival, especially during peak season.

Breakfast buffet included – coffee and cake in the lobby and courtyard during spring and summer

Breakfast buffet is included in the room rate and is served daily with both hot and cold options. During spring and summer months, breakfast can be enjoyed in the hotel's lush courtyard, which is also open for guests to spend time in during these periods. The courtyard is an appreciated and often unexpected oasis in an otherwise densely built Östermalm neighbourhood. The fact that breakfast is included in the price makes it easier to budget for your stay and is a recurring theme in guest reviews.

Separate from the breakfast buffet, coffee and cake are served in the lobby throughout the day. Hot and cold drinks as well as snacks are available for purchase in the lobby, which can be convenient for guests arriving late or leaving early. The hotel has a lounge bar. There is no restaurant run by the hotel beyond the breakfast room, but Östermalm offers a wide range of restaurants and cafés within walking distance of the hotel's address at Skeppargatan 82.

The gym contains equipment for both cardio and strength training, including rowing machine, exercise bike and free weights. The hotel has a business centre with copying and printing facilities. Dry cleaning and ironing service can be ordered. The hotel has no parking of its own, but paid parking is available nearby. Street parking in the Östermalm area is limited and charged, so those arriving by car should plan parking in advance. Free WiFi is included for all guests throughout their stay, which is confirmed by the hotel's official information.

Karlaplan underground station two minutes away – Historical Museum and Östermalm within walking distance

The hotel is located at Skeppargatan 82 in Östermalm, one of Stockholm's more affluent residential areas with characterful buildings, shops and restaurants. Karlaplan underground station is approximately two minutes' walk from the entrance, providing quick access to Stockholm Central Station and the rest of the city centre. It is a public transport location that makes a car unnecessary for most visitors. The Historical Museum is just over 650 metres from the hotel and is easy to reach on foot, as is Östermalm Market Hall which is located in the same part of the district.

Stureplan, which is a hub for restaurants and nightlife in Östermalm, is reached by car in approximately five minutes. Berwaldhallen, Stockholm's concert hall for chamber music and radio, is just over 1.6 kilometres from the hotel and is easy to reach by underground or on foot. Dramaten – the Royal Dramatic Theatre – is approximately 1.3 kilometres away in the direction of the city centre and is also accessible on foot or by public transport.

The location means that the hotel is suitable for those who want to be close to Östermalm's offerings and public transport without staying in the most heavily trafficked city centre location. Stockholm Stadium is just over 750 metres away and is a well-known landmark nearby. The hotel has no parking of its own and street parking in the area is limited and charged. Those arriving by car should plan for parking in advance, preferably in one of the car parks nearby.