Crafoord Place Hostel

Vasastan's residential district as a base for your Stockholm visit

Crafoord Place is located at Hälsobrunnsgatan 10 in Vasastan, one of Stockholm's more cohesive residential areas with a distinct street life of cafés, restaurants and small shops. The location is neither in the heart of the tourist trail nor remote: Sergels torg is approximately 1.5 kilometres to the south and Stockholm Central Station is reachable on foot in about fifteen minutes. The City Terminal for airport buses to Arlanda is in the same direction and is also accessible on foot.

The S:t Eriksplan underground station is the nearest and can be reached within a ten-minute walk, as can Odenplan. Both provide quick connections to the underground's green line and onwards to other lines. Vasaparken, one of Stockholm's more frequently used urban parks, is nearby and serves as green space throughout the season. Sven-Harrys Art Museum on Eastmansvägen is within five hundred metres of the hostel, and Bonniers Konsthall is reachable in approximately nine minutes on foot. The Strindberg Museum on Drottninggatan 85 is within a seven-minute walk.

The Sabbatsbergs sjukhus bus stop is approximately two hundred metres away and serves several bus lines, providing additional flexibility for those wishing to avoid the underground. Paid parking is available on the property, which is unusual for a hostel at this price point and in this area. The hotel is non-smoking throughout the building and has a lift to the seventh floor; the final steps to the hostel are taken on foot via the stairs. For those planning to move around the city centre without relying on public transport, the location is functional, and most central attractions are accessible on foot or with a single underground stop.

Rooms with views of the City Hall and Klara Lake

Crafoord Place offers both dormitories and private rooms, and a consistent feature is that the rooms face the city rather than an inner courtyard. From the rooms you can see Stockholm's City Hall and Klara Lake, a view that is unusual for a hostel in this price segment. All rooms share bathrooms accessed via the corridors; there are no en-suite bathrooms in any room category, which is important to know when booking. In the corridors there are dressing tables, mirrors, sinks and hair dryers available for all guests.

Among private rooms are triple rooms with one single bed and two bunk beds. The dormitories are five-, six- or ten-bed rooms with bunk beds. Each room has a wardrobe with mirror, and each guest has access to a personal storage locker in the room. The rooms are individually decorated and furnished, which is evident in that they differ somewhat in character and feel. Wood and parquet flooring are present, and blackout curtains are available in the rooms.

Bed linen is included in the price for all guests. Towels can be hired separately for a small fee, which is worth noting when packing. Wi-Fi is included throughout the property at no extra charge. There are no suites or private rooms with en-suite bathrooms – those seeking an en-suite bathroom need to choose alternative accommodation. The hostel has a total of nine rooms, which provides a small and more personal scale compared to larger city hostels. The limited size also means it may be wise to book well in advance, particularly during peak season.

The shared kitchen as a substitute for restaurant and room service

Crafoord Place has no restaurant of its own and does not serve breakfast. The shared kitchen is instead the central cooking facility and is equipped with an oven, microwave, induction hobs, kettle and refrigerator with freezer. There is therefore the opportunity to prepare full meals, not just reheat food. The kitchen is accessible to all guests and is one of the reasons the hostel suits longer stays with a limited food budget, as the cost of eating out in Stockholm can otherwise quickly become substantial.

During the summer months there is an outdoor grill available in the picnic area, which provides an additional option for outdoor cooking and creates a more social atmosphere among guests. Nearby restaurants include Restaurant Hemma Vasastan with Swedish dishes and Minako Sushi at Odenplan, which is approximately a seven-minute walk away. The area around Odenplan and Vasastan offers a wide range of dining options within convenient walking distance of the hostel.

There is no room service. A laundry room with washing machine and tumble dryer is available on the property for a fee, which is practical for longer stays and reduces the need to pack large quantities of clothes. A guest computer is available in common areas, as is a chill-out room with a large flat-screen TV and Netflix. Luggage storage is offered free of charge on arrival and departure days, which is useful for early arrival or late departure when the room is not yet available or has already been vacated. These common areas collectively contribute to the hostel functioning well for travellers who spend much time outside their rooms.

Games room, ski storage and other facilities to be aware of

In addition to the kitchen and lounge, Crafoord Place has a games room with board games and arcade games, which distinguishes the hostel from more stripped-down alternatives in the same price range and creates opportunities for social interaction between guests. Luggage storage is available free of charge on arrival and departure days. The hostel also has a ski storage facility, a facility that is rarely found in city hostels and which is practical for those planning winter activities during their stay.

The staff are multilingual and express check-in and check-out are offered, which facilitates guests with early flights or late arrivals. Access codes are used for room entry. Storage lockers are available in rooms for valuables. The lift goes up to the seventh floor and the final steps are taken via the stairs. The hostel is non-smoking throughout the building and reception is staffed during limited hours, which means guests with unusual arrival times should contact the hostel in advance to ensure smooth access.

Crafoord Place is a small hostel with nine rooms and a clear focus on budget travellers who prioritise location and self-catering over service and amenities. It suits travellers who want to stay in a residential area with character rather than in an anonymous city hotel, and who are prepared to share bathrooms and kitchen space with other guests. Those expecting a hotel experience with 24-hour reception, daily cleaning included in the price and a restaurant in the building should look elsewhere.