Scandic Grand Central, Stockholm

Something of a local landmark, Scandic Grand Central has a handy location just north of Stockholm’s main train station.

You won’t have any problems finding it; the 130-year-old building takes up almost half a block, and has an impressive classical façade running along busy Kungsgatan.

Rooms here range from miniscule, windowless ‘cabins’ to family rooms and suites. All guests get access to some good facilities – in the basement there’s a decent gym where you can work off those cinnamon buns you’ve treated yourself to. There’s also a chill-out area with separate saunas for men and women.

Acoustic music sessions and cocktails sold by the pitcher draw passers-by into the hotel’s slick ground-floor bar, which has jazzy mosaic floors and lots of brass fixtures and fittings. In the attached brasserie you can try reasonably priced Swedish classics such as köttbullar (meatballs) and toast skagen (a tasty mix of prawns, sour cream, onion, dill, and other ingredients, dolloped onto browned bread).

Scandic Grand Central’s proximity to the train station and City Terminalen (the main hub for long-distance buses) means that it can get very busy with businesspeople during the week. At weekends, it’s popular with folks visiting the theatre just across the road. Needless to say, it’s advisable to book ahead if you can.