Malmö’s best hotels – 9 handpicked favourites

It’s hard to imagine a better location – right in the middle of Malmö’s shopping mecca on its most popular pedestrian street, close to Malmö Central Station, yet still calm and peaceful. But it’s when you step into the rooms themselves that your jaw really drops.

After being closed for five years, the hotel has been renovated from top to toe. Everything is incredibly beautifully designed in soft, calming colours with charming old-world finesse. The staff are also unbelievably lovely and incredibly helpful.

The property dates back to 1889 and was originally a private residence for a wealthy Malmö family, something that’s still palpable throughout the atmosphere. The rooms retain their high ceilings, ornate stucco detailing and broad skirting boards. The whole place still breathes patrician apartment in true ‘Fanny and Alexander’ style, with different wallpapers in most rooms. There’s not a carpet in sight, just wooden floors and the original mosaic preserved in the stairwell. The bathrooms, meanwhile, have been exquisitely renovated and feel like the kind you can only dream of having at home.

At Home Hotel Baltzar you’ll find everything from small (but super stylish) single rooms to family rooms, ‘junior suites’ and ‘deluxe double rooms’. On the ground floor there’s a lovely lounge/reception/dining room/café with a relaxed vibe where it’s perfectly fine to sit and work, or simply watch people passing by outside. Breakfast, dinner and fika are all included in the room rate – not bad at all.

Time Out tip: Looking for a hotel in Malmö to celebrate your wedding night? Baltzar’s timeless elegance makes it Malmö’s obvious choice for your first night as newlyweds – or any night when you want to celebrate your love in surroundings that do it justice.

Address: Baltzarsgatan 45, Gamla staden (City)

Number of rooms: 45

Price: From around SEK 1,650/night – discounts for longer stays and student discounts available

A classic and much-loved boutique hotel in a prime location in the picturesque Gamla Väster district, where cute little townhouses sit alongside hollyhocks and cobbled streets. The formerly airy and bright lobby of the old Hotel Mäster Johan was replaced after the hotel changed hands some years ago by a cosy dark cocktail bar that opens out onto a beautiful atrium inspired by an Italian courtyard, home to a popular Mediterranean restaurant.

The atmosphere is warm and cosy, and the hotel itself feels more like a luxurious, peaceful retreat in the middle of the action than an anonymous conference hotel. The rooms are colourfully decorated with luxurious bathrooms featuring gold taps and the whole shebang. There’s a wide variety of sizes and price categories to choose from, and all of them feel more or less romantic.

Just a stone’s throw away lies Lilla Torg, which Malmö locals somewhat cheekily call ‘Little Ibiza’ thanks to its buzzing outdoor terraces and slightly rowdy nightlife in summer.

Personally, MJ's is the perfect place to stay when I’m passing through Malmö. Close to shopping, restaurants and city life, but also within easy luggage-dragging distance of the Central Station. It’s also a great starting point for walks through nearby Kungsparken and Slottsparken. And whatever you do, don’t miss the stylish city library.

A hotel you’ll happily return to. Again and again.

Time Out tip: Just crawling distance from the hotel you’ll find Ruths, one of Malmö’s most hyped restaurants (deservedly so), with a lovely courtyard where you can eat ridiculously well.

Address: Mäster Johansgatan 13, Gamla staden (City). Garage parking available as an add-on service – parking in these hoods isn’t exactly easy.

Number of rooms: 83

Price: From around SEK 1,500/night

Grand hardly even begins to cover this classic hotel, which is also Malmö’s oldest and one of Sweden’s oldest hotels. The newly renovated façade stretches around half a city block and the foyer is nothing short of magnificent. Everything has been polished up and refreshed to bring ‘Malmö’s Grand Old Lady’ into the modern age while preserving the historic building in the best possible way.

At Elite Hotel Savoy, it’s all about creaking wooden floors, and the walls are lined with framed travel journals and restaurant menus that date back decades. The hotel consists of several different sections, and the rooms vary in both style and degree of splendour. It’s not entirely easy to find your way through all the corridors, floors and passageways, so a little patience helps.

Savoy can also boast a magnificent ballroom for larger events, worth visiting for the fascinating murals depicting Malmö’s history alone, which at least impress me enormously.

Besides its long tradition as a hotel, Savoy is famous for having hosted cultural icons such as Fritiof Nilsson Piraten and Sten Broman as regulars. The hotel’s historic dining room also plays a major role as the fictional murder scene in Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö’s bestselling novel ‘Roseanna’, later adapted for film with Gösta Ekman starring as detective Martin Beck.

The ground-floor restaurant has been renovated many times since then and today offers an elegantly luxurious setting run by the hotel itself. Its location directly across the canal from the Central Station is spot-on for train travellers. Bikes are available to borrow, and from here you’re close to pretty much everything.

Time Out tip: Right below Savoy you’ll also find the departure point for the tourist boat ‘Rundan’, which takes you through Malmö’s canals past Malmö Castle and the distinctive Turning Torso. A perfect way to see the city from the water.

Address: Norra Vallgatan 62, Gamla staden (City)

Number of rooms: 117

Price: From around SEK 1,500/night, cheaper for members

Fancy discovering a completely different side of the city? Then this is a top choice with a brilliant location right next to the multicultural district of Möllevången. Here you’ll find everything from lively market trading to masses of trendy restaurants, bars and music venues. This is very much where ‘young’ Malmö hangs out.

More Hotel Mazetti is located in the classic old chocolate factory, once a beating heart of the former industrial city’s hardened soul. The old chimney that used to spread cocoa-scented fumes across the neighbourhood is still standing.

The hotel is very much an apartment hotel and all rooms come with their own kitchen. The two suites even have private saunas, seriously luxurious. It feels fresh and functional, with tasteful interiors that are just personal enough. Great value for money, if you ask me.

The rooms are decorated with historical photos from the building’s delicious past, while the beautiful stone floors in the corridors evoke times gone by. You can stay here for either a short visit or several months. Families will also appreciate the laundry room, especially those travelling with young children. Both little ones and adults tend to enjoy Folkets Park, Sweden’s oldest people’s park, which is conveniently nearby.

If, like me, you’re a food lover, Mazetti is a brilliant base for eating your way around half the globe within just a few blocks, while also picking up culinary goodies to cook back in your room in between outings.

Time Out tip: Pets are welcome for an extra fee. Don’t forget to buy locally made chocolate at the reception. Also note that you’ll get a better deal if you book directly via the hotel’s own website, especially if you’re staying longer than five nights, in which case breakfast is included.

Address: Norra Skolgatan 24, Möllevången

Number of rooms: 68

Price: From around SEK 1,200/night

Let’s begin with a little language lesson: in Malmö it’s called ‘Hotell Tunnelen’, just as the neighbourhood, shopping centre and train station are called ‘Triangelen’, and those cargo bikes local hipsters pedal around on are known as ‘lådcykelen’. However you choose to pronounce it, Mayfair Hotel Tunneln is a rough-around-the-edges historical gem.

I love the slightly wonky, worn-down vibe that feels as Malmö as it gets. Nobody tries too hard here. Nobody’s putting on airs. It simply is what it is. This building has housed a hotel for more than 100 years, but the brick-clad cellar vaults – where an excellent breakfast buffet is served, by the way – are much older still, dating back to the early fourteenth century, making them one of the city’s very oldest structures.

Both Danish and Swedish kings have stayed in the building throughout history, and don’t miss the celebrity portraits on the walls featuring signed photographs of former guests.

The rooms vary in décor and standard somewhat, but there’s certainly no shortage of soul in these walls. The location is also superb if you’re arriving by train or craving some shopping. Tucked away, yet still super central. Just bear in mind that the very old building isn’t particularly accessible.

The reception is refreshingly analogue with REAL keys (!) and staff full of entertaining anecdotes.

Time Out tip: The acclaimed restaurant Que is also located here, serving French-Vietnamese fine dining that’s worth visiting even if you’re not staying at the hotel. Best to book a table if you want to secure one of the sought-after spots.

Address: Adelgatan 4, Gamla staden (City)

Number of rooms: 82

Price: From around SEK 850/night (best rates if you book directly via the hotel’s own website)

OhBoy Hotell is a truly unique hotel in every possible way. Not only does every single room come with at least one bicycle – all rescued and renovated bikes that housing associations had thrown out and which otherwise would have been scrapped – but it’s also compact living at its absolute smartest.

Every centimetre of these cleverly designed loft rooms is maximised, and there’s space for up to four people (if two are children) in each one, plus a nifty hammock for anyone in that sort of mood. Add a fully functioning kitchenette and bathroom to the mix. They’ve thought of everything here.

The materials include raw concrete and ash wood from Skåne, while local designers such as Mats Theselius and Lisa Hilland have left their mark on the furniture design.

The location is about as urban as it gets in the ever-growing Västra Hamnen district, in the shadow of the now world-famous landmark Turning Torso. Across the street lies the popular skate park Stapelbäddsparken, so bring your board if that’s your thing.

The grey concrete façade comes alive in spring when the greenery starts flourishing and the trees bloom. The plants are effectively the façade. A kind of green brutalism. But then the entire place was designed, built and is run by architects.

Personally, it gives me Dutch vibes, not only because of the bike-friendliness – there are even cargo bikes to borrow if you fancy cycling off to do your grocery shopping – but also because of the clean materials and clever functionalism.

An excellent breakfast with locally roasted coffee is served at Café Le Boxx across the street. There’s no gym, instead ‘Ribban’ – the local beach Ribersborg – serves as the hotel’s spa. And the rest of Malmö is no more than fifteen minutes away by bike.

An ideal stay for the environmentally conscious traveller with an open mind.

Time Out tip: Don’t miss the beautiful Ribersborg open-air bathhouse a short bike ride away, dating back to the late nineteenth century.

Address: Lilla Varvsgatan 24, Västra Hamnen

Number of rooms: 31

Price: From around SEK 1,390/night + surcharge per person

Something of a cult hotel and a true Malmö institution that’s often overlooked in this kind of roundup. There’s a reason why a long list of famous musicians and actors have made this their regular base for both short and long stays. Here they can be left in peace and feel at home. Many of them always request the same room.

Its proximity to Malmö Opera is naturally one reason so many cultural workers gravitate here. But it’s also very close to Malmö Konsthall and the Triangeln shopping centre, which also houses a train station. The blocks surrounding nearby Davidshallstorg are buzzing with life and packed with fun cafés, restaurants, bars and boutiques.

The building was constructed in 1962 and was designed as a hotel from the very beginning. Both the marble façade and mosaic walls are now listed heritage features, while the lobby is a stylish relic from another era. In the dining room you can enjoy everything from a hearty breakfast to just a beer in the evening. There’s also rooftop seating in summer.

Teaterhotellet has plenty of small single rooms, as well as standard doubles and a handful of family rooms. The standard is simple, but the beds are comfortable and the atmosphere incredibly personal and welcoming.

The hotel is privately owned and feels about as far removed from an anonymous chain as you can get. The staff are both charming and friendly. I’ve often stayed in these neighbourhoods myself and can warmly recommend the area for a fun Malmö visit.

This is a brilliant option if you’re travelling on a tighter budget. But make sure to book well in advance – it’s often fully booked, and for good reason.

Time Out tip: Hunting for the perfect souvenir from your Malmö trip? In true cultural spirit, all the artwork on the walls is for sale.

Address: Fersens väg 20, Davidshall

Number of rooms: 44

Price: From round SEK 700/night (usually cheapest if you book directly via the hotel’s own website or by phone)

Malmö Live has become something of the city’s new centre point, occupying an entire city block. Right next to the towering hotel building is Malmö Concert Hall, hosting everything from stand-up comedy to symphony orchestras, and just a few steps away you’ll find Malmö Saluhall, a bit of an eldorado for food lovers. The hotel is also conveniently within walking distance of Malmö Central Station.

The conference hotel itself is one of the city’s largest, with no fewer than 444 rooms. Many of them boast truly magnificent views over the harbour, the Öresund Bridge and Malmö’s striking skyline. A so-called circular renovation is currently under way, where rooms are upgraded as needed without throwing away perfectly functional bathrooms and the like. Smart thinking.

Gym access is included for all guests, along with a collaboration with the health centre Kulan, which offers naprapathy treatments and similar services. But the real highlight is the Italian brasserie on the twenty-fifth floor. In a setting that feels effortlessly elegant, you can unwind and eat well while having all of Malmö and Öresund at your feet. Booking a table is recommended. At one end there’s also a really nice rooftop bar if you’re simply after a perfectly shaken cocktail with panoramic views.

I probably wouldn’t choose to stay here if I wanted something especially personal, but the hotel is definitely a solid option with fresh rooms, an interesting location and good service.

Time Out tip: Malmö Live offers special packages in collaboration with Malmö Concert Hall, which can be handy if you’ve travelled here specifically for a cultural event.

Address: Dag Hammarskjölds torg 2, Västra Hamnen

Number of rooms: 444

Price: From around SEK 1,700/night

No, Hyllie isn’t the world’s most exciting district. It’s modern, newly built and somewhat soulless. But there’s definitely a point to staying here. Especially if you’re just passing through or heading to a sports or entertainment event at Malmö Arena, home to the local hockey team Malmö Redhawks. The same goes if you’re planning to visit Malmömässan, both of which are practically right next door to this hotel.

It takes twelve minutes to get here by train from Kastrup (Copenhagen Airport). Twelve. That’s nothing, and trains run more or less around the clock. If you choose to stay in central Copenhagen instead, you’ll likely end up paying several times more.

Hyllie is also an important transport hub if you’re travelling to or from other parts of Skåne by train. There are loads of trains to and from central Malmö, the journey only takes a few minutes, and there are buses to other districts too. Garage parking is also available to rent. In other words, the location is extremely practical.

You’ll also find the hugely popular shopping centre Emporia here, home to everything from a food court to luxury boutiques and the usual chains.

Quality Hotel View itself has a fairly pleasant bar as well as a perfectly decent breakfast and restaurant. The rooms may feel a touch anonymous in that typical chain-hotel way, but they’re clean, have comfortable pillows and are generally good value. If you book early, you can get really great rates, especially on weekends since many trade fair and conference visitors understandably stay here during the week. Or perhaps it’s the popcorn and soft-serve ice cream machine that draws people in…

I’ve never been disappointed staying here, and see it as a smooth option if, for example, you have an early flight from Kastrup the next morning or land very late at night.

Time Out tip: Fancy a chic Chablis or a lively pét-nat? Nearby Emporia is home to what’s probably the city’s best Systembolaget, with an unusually wide selection.

Address: Hyllie Stationstorg, Hyllie

Number of rooms: 302

Price: From around SEK 750/night (if you’re lucky)