Lady Hamilton, Stockholm

Of the three Gamla Stan properties run by the quirky Collector’s Hotels chain, this one is our favourite.

It’s not the cheapest of the three (or the most expensive, for that matter) but it has a lot more character and atmosphere than either of its sister hotels, and is located right near Storkyrkan, one of Gamla Stan’s biggest landmarks.

Step inside the hotel and it feels like you’ve entered an old-fashioned gallery or antiques shop. Everywhere you look there are framed portraits of Lady Hamilton, who was best known for being the mistress of British admiral Lord Nelson. Also dotted around the place are odd collectibles such as rocking horses, wooden chandeliers and model boats.

The cheapest doubles here are reasonably bright, and have antique furnishings and their own chandeliers, but the bathroms are quite small. Much better are the corner rooms, which have dual-aspect windows and views over the cobbled streets outside.

Other rooms look down into the building’s super-skinny courtyard, which is open to the elements but makes a nice place to relax during the summer.

All guests get to use the hotel’s sauna and can cool off in the tiny plunge pool (actually a converted well from the 1400s). Breakfast is served in a cute little bistro with all-white furniture and glass bottles decorating the windowsills.

If you’re looking for a super-modern hotel then this place probably isn’t for you. But if you want somewhere quirky, central and historic, we’d recommend giving Lady Hamilton a try.