First Hotel Fridhemsplan

From First Hotel to Scandic Go – an address with three brands

The hotel at Sankt Eriksgatan 20 on Kungsholmen has operated under several different brands. The address was previously known as First Hotel Fridhemsplan and subsequently Best Western Hotel Fridhemsplan. Property owner Pandox acquired the building and, together with Scandic Hotels, carried out a comprehensive renovation. In October 2024, the hotel reopened under the name Scandic Go, Sankt Eriksgatan 20 – Scandic's budget hotel segment, which positions itself with a focus on value for money, self-service and city centre location rather than full service.

It is Scandic's second Scandic Go hotel in Stockholm and contains a total of 234 rooms divided into several categories, including Room, Cabin no window and Cabin Tiny no window. The concept is aimed at travellers who prioritise location and price over in-house hotel services, and this is reflected in how facilities and staffing are organised compared to Scandic's standard hotels. The hotel is cashless, accepts pets by request for a possible fee and offers, among other things, a bar and laundry room. Breakfast is not included in the room rate but can be purchased separately through a so-called Brekkie Deal served from 06:00 to 12:00. The building was constructed in 2004 and the hotel is active and welcoming guests.

For those who previously booked under an older name – First Hotel Fridhemsplan or Best Western Hotel Fridhemsplan – it is important to know that the business is now operated by Scandic and that facilities, pricing and booking systems have changed since the name change. Older reviews on travel platforms may reflect a different standard and range of offerings than what the hotel provides today.

Kungsholmen and Fridhemsplan: the hotel's geographical location

The hotel is located at Sankt Eriksgatan 20 on Kungsholmen, in close proximity to Fridhemsplan underground station which is approximately 200 metres from the entrance. From there you can reach Stockholm Central Station by underground, making the hotel practical for travellers who want to move around the entire city without a car. Stockholm Central Station is 1.7 kilometres from the hotel measured as walking distance. The overall public transport offering at Fridhemsplan is a significant advantage for those planning to explore Stockholm efficiently and without their own vehicle.

Kungsholmen is a mixed neighbourhood with residential areas, restaurants and popular green spaces. Rålambshovsparken is approximately five minutes' walk from the hotel and Smedsuddsbadet can be reached on foot in twelve minutes. Stockholm City Hall, one of the city's most recognisable landmarks, is just over 1.5 kilometres from the hotel. Bromma Airport is 6.8 kilometres away according to official information from Scandic Hotels. Kungsholmen thus offers a central location with good access to both city life and greenery within a short walk. The building housing the hotel was constructed in 2004 and has since housed hotel operations under different names, from First Hotel Fridhemsplan via Best Western Hotel Fridhemsplan to today's Scandic Go, which opened in October 2024.

The hotel has no parking on the premises. Guests with cars are directed to public car parks in the area. The location is particularly suitable for travellers planning to use public transport as their primary means of transport during their stay, as Fridhemsplan underground station provides quick and direct connections to central Stockholm and other parts of the city. The combination of the underground's proximity, short walks to parks and well-known city landmarks makes Kungsholmen a functional and city-centre alternative for visitors.

Rooms and facilities: categories and equipment

The hotel has 234 rooms divided into three categories. The Room category offers rooms of 7–36 square metres and accommodates up to six guests depending on configuration. Cabin (no window) is a windowless room of 8–16 square metres for up to two guests. Cabin Tiny (no window) is the smallest option at 4–8 square metres and is intended for one guest. Windowless rooms thus occur in two of three categories, which is worth checking when booking if daylight is important for your stay. Multi-person rooms in the Room category are equipped with bunk beds according to the hotel's official website.

Common room facilities according to the hotel's official website include shower, blackout curtains, safety deposit box, ventilation, TV with Chromecast and hairdryer. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel. The hotel is cashless, which means payment is only made by card or digital payment methods. Pets are allowed by request and a fee may apply according to booking.com.

The hotel has a bar and a laundry room available to guests – a practical feature for longer stays or trips with limited luggage. As a central part of the Scandic Go concept, the hotel offers hot food available 24 hours a day. Breakfast is not automatically included in the price but can be purchased separately; the hotel's official page states a so-called Brekkie Deal available from 06:00 to 12:00. The hotel opened in October 2024 and operates under the Scandic Go concept, whilst the property is owned by Pandox. What is included in the price depends on the chosen booking option.

The Scandic Go concept in practice: self-service and digital check-in

Scandic Go is Scandic's budget segment and differs from the chain's other hotels in a number of concrete ways. The concept emphasises self-service, value for money and city centre location. The hotel lacks a staffed restaurant in the traditional sense but instead offers food and drink available 24 hours a day. Reception is staffed 24 hours a day and offers express check-in and luggage storage. Guests can use their smartphone to check in digitally. The hotel is cashless, which means card payment is required for all purchases on site. A bar is available to guests, as is a laundry room. Breakfast is not included in the standard price but can be purchased separately through the hotel's so-called Brekkie Deal, which is served from six in the morning to twelve noon.

The hotel is non-smoking and classified as pet-friendly, but pets are accepted by request and a fee may apply. The hotel has facilities for guests with disabilities and a lift. With 234 rooms divided into the categories Room, Cabin no window and Cabin Tiny no window, the hotel offers several price levels depending on room size and natural light.

For travellers who value a central location with underground connection and a modern room at a lower price than Stockholm's full-service hotels, Scandic Go, Sankt Eriksgatan 20 is a concrete option. Those seeking a staffed bar with fixed opening hours, conference rooms, spa or room service should choose another hotel in the Scandic chain or from another operator. The hotel is particularly suitable for travellers planning to spend most of their time outside the hotel and who prioritise location and price over in-house hotel services.