The 10 cheap hotels in Stockholm that give you the most bang for your buck

Get four-star luxury without a big bill at the end thanks to Elite. This hotel group runs various places throughout Sweden with the same MO, including Stockholm's Palace Hotel, which resides on the hip Sankt Eriksgatan avenue. The style of the place is clean and Nordic, with pops of colour in each of the double rooms. You can book a massage if you're feeling tense, or enjoy Afternoon Tea with a Swedish twist in their in-house British-themed pub, the Bishop's Arms.

Each room at NOFO is decked out in one of three ways: Moulin Rouge, 'urban castle' and Scandi. It sounds cheesy, but they're done beautifully and the added extras help. In each room you'll find tea and coffee making facilities, a selection of magazines and free wifi. Nearby you can explore the trendy Södermalm district, Stockholm’s Old Town, the waterfront and shops on Götgatan.

Fairly new to the hotel scene in Stockholm, Story Hotel is like a stylish bachelor pad, with industrial vibes. Each room provides desk space, a rainfall shower and a mini-bar with complimentary drinks. There’s also a popular bar and a branch of the acclaimed Phil’s Burgers in-house. Even better, the double rooms really are doubles here, not just two beds pushed together. For extra comfort, upgrade to the ‘Lagom’ King or Queen rooms (lagom means something like ‘just the right amount’ in Swedish!). 

What was once the home of criminals now houses a joint hostel and hotel, a theatre, a gallery, a restaurant that does an elaborate afternoon tea and a museum with guided tours. That makes it all sound rather busy; but once you get the key to your own cell, you have your own piece of this historic building. Rooms are tastefully renovated with modern Scandinavian design, whether you are taking a budget bunk in the hostel or have splashed out on your own elite cell in the hotel block.

The Clarion Hotel Amarenten is the Nordic Choice hotel group’s offering on Kungsholmen, a central island just west of Stockholm’s main station. Not only are you well-positioned here, but this is a hotel that really takes care of its guests. Rooms are in a simple Swedish design but with colourful fabrics that create an at-home feel. The breakfast offers many organic options, and use of the gym is for free. For something a bit naughtier, there’s the in-house bar, Tap Room, which is not the beer-based establishment it sounds like: here, mixed cocktails are served on tap.

You won’t find this motel by a highway, but on the high street of the newly-renovated marina area of Hammarby, just south of central Stockholm. Motel L is a colourful addition to this carefully curated area. The rooms, including bathrooms, are in bright and bold patterns, decorated with wall illustrations designed by local artist Lisa Bengtsson. The beds are designer too, as well as the rainfall showers in your bathroom. If you can tear yourself away, head downstairs to enjoy your buffet breakfast, use the hotel’s gym or head into Pipes bar for pub food and tap beers.

As you might have guessed from the name, Hobo Hotel doesn’t play by the rulebook. On the brutalist square of Brunkebergstorg is a slick and modern hotel with rooms put together by a Berlin designer, centered around the theme of adventure travel. Each room comes with a board of pegs loaded with useful things for travelers: maps and local info, bags and umbrellas. There are also speakers that you can stream your own music through, and the occasional decorative cactus. Pay a bit more for the bigger rooms on the top floors and you get your own panoramic view of central Stockholm.

The Swedish word for a hostel, ‘vandrarhem’ (literally, a wanderer’s home), evokes images of coming home from a country walk to a warm fire. No wonder: the term was coined by the Swedish tourist association, STF, originally formed by a group hiking enthusiasts. STF still runs many hostels across Sweden today, including this one, on-board a 19th-century ship moored on Skeppsholmen island. The AF Chapman has simple bunkbed cabins that have been lovingly restored to keep their original features and style. If you feel more like a Captain than crew, splash out on the Superior Navigation cabin, which comes with an en-suite bathroom. 

Scandic hotels are a well-trusted name across Scandinavia, and their Anglais offering puts you right in the centre of opulent Östermalm. Graffiti murals on the walls and bed cushions decorated with coats of arms make for an eclectic décor across a hotel that is otherwise in a classic and modern Swedish design. Within the hotel you’ll find not one, but two bars (one of which claims to have the longest bar in Stockholm), a gym complete with a sauna and jacuzzi, and the Stockholm branch of Jamie’s Italian. There’s even a roof terrace to watch all the action from in the summer. 

Just ten minutes’ walk up from the central station is one of Stockholm’s hottest hostels, that embraces all that is Swedish. City Backpackers have their own sauna, but if you feel like trying a few more, there’s Viking-themed sauna tours on offer. At City Backpacker’s, you can start your day like a local: the breakfast is a simple Swedish affair of yoghurt, muesli and sandwiches. You’ll also find traditional meals of meatballs, herring and pickles on offer next-door. This hostel welcomes backpackers in the traditional dormitory-style accommodation, of course, but if you want to go a little more upmarket, there are also private double rooms available at a decent price.