I recently stayed two nights at the Downtown Camper by Scandic hotel in the Swedish capital, Stockholm. Though it was a short stay, it was a great one. Here is the Midlifer’s review of the Downtown Camper by Scandic in Stockholm.
Background to Trip
First, as usual, some background.
As mentioned in my previous post, I was on a short trip to Finland, flying via Iceland (Iceland Air offers very attractive prices from Canada). My adventurous side wanted to get the most out of the trip, so I decided to shorten my stay in Helsinki and add two nights in Stockholm. Sweden was the only Scandinavian country I hadn’t visited yet.
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I also opted to try the overnight ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki, instead of flying.
I usually prefer staying in areas that are safe and lively, with easy access to restaurants and opportunities for long walks. In Stockholm, I chose the Downtown Camper by Scandic hotel.
The Downtown Camper by Scandic Hotel
The hotel is located in the Norrmalm district of Stockholm. According to the city’s tourism office, VisitStockholm, this district has evolved from a commuter area into a lively hub with plenty of cultural events and a rich restaurant scene.
Norrmalm is also home to the T-Centralen subway hub and the Stockholm Central Station.
I took the Arlanda Express from the airport to T-Centralen and then walked about ten minutes to reach the hotel.
The Room in Downtown Camper by Scandic – Stockholm
Checking in was a breeze. After a quick rundown of the amenities and features available, I headed to my room.
I knew staying in this room would be a unique experience—it was the first time I had booked a room in the basement with no windows.
My first impression of the room was that it had a lot of wood elements—the side tables, tea and coffee holders, and the cupboard covering the mini-fridge were all made of wood.
After spending some time in the room, I noticed it had a cool, rustic vibe. This was likely because of the wood and the large cork pinboard on one of the walls, which was decorated with documents, including information about various hotel events.
The double bed was very comfortable, and there was a small desk connected to the pinboard. There were also two couches and a small coffee table.
The hotel didn’t skimp on the usual amenities: an electric kettle, tea and coffee, a mini-refrigerator, a safe, and hangers for clothing.
The bathroom was fully equipped as well. It didn’t have a tub but I actually prefer a shower. And this was a spacious shower.
The Hotel Facilities
Since I was in Stockholm for only a short time, I didn’t get a chance to explore and enjoy the hotel facilities outside of my room.
However, I did notice the large restaurant, which was usually packed during breakfast and dinner. I considered having breakfast there but decided against it since I wanted to save room for a hearty lunch and dinner, meaning a lighter breakfast made more sense.
The hotel also has a gym and a rooftop pool. In typical Scandinavian fashion, they offer bicycles for rent, which makes sense since bikes are everywhere in the city.
Most notably, there’s a strong sense of community at the hotel. They organize various events throughout the week, ranging from qi gong to kayaking and even knitting.
Of course, the hotel isn’t just about knitting and qi gong—there were also several business events during my brief stay.
Final Comments on Downtown Camper by Scandic – Stockholm
It was a short trip, so I didn’t spend much time in the hotel, but I found it to be a simple, comfortable place that met my expectations. I especially loved its location—close to T-Centralen, plenty of restaurants, and the Gallerian Mall.
The hotel was lively most of the time, making it a great base for exploring the city and enjoying long walks.