Piteå Stadshotell, Piteå

When it opened back in 1906, this big, banana-yellow hotel in the centre of town was considered far ahead of its time, with central heating, proper electric lighting and even in-room telephones.

Piteå Stadshotell has changed a lot since then but still retains some of its original charm, and offers some good-value accommodation.

The rooms we saw were spacious and looked a lot more modern than we expected, having seen the grand old staircase that leads away from the lobby. The sleeping areas were all bright and fresh, but the bathrooms could have done with a bit of an update.

Thanks to their high ceilings and big windows, all of the bedrooms we looked at felt nice and airy, though as they’re each slightly different it’s worth asking to see a few, especially if you’re planning to stay a while.

Singles, doubles and suites are all available. You can even get a room with its own steam bath, if you fancy splashing the cash. Also available are special ‘business’ rooms that come with a single bed and a separate chaise longue that’s big enough to sleep on for a night or two. These rooms could be handy if you’re travelling with a friend and don’t mind sharing a room.

Piteå Stadshotell also has a ‘relax’ area with sauna facilities, plus a good hot tub. You can grab a free cup of coffee or tea from the lobby whenever you feel like it, or head to the bar for a drink – there are beer- and wine-tasting sessions from time to time, so ask at reception if you feel like joining in.

The hotel’s restaurant, named 1906, is one of the higher-end options for a meal out in Piteå. The house special comes with a baking hot slab of stone that you can use to cook your own meat – elk is available, if you fancy trying it.