The cheapest, nicest hotels in Stockholm

Södermalm is renowned for its creative atmosphere, and hip, family-run boutique hotel NOFO, name reflecting its north of Folkungagatan locale just next to baroque Katarina Church, fits right in. From a colour-drenched lounge with scarlet walls, flamboyant draped curtains, and 1920s shell-silhouette crimson armchairs, to high-spirited NOFO Wine Bar where the music’s cranked up loud, glasses of André Jacquart Blanc de Blancs and Langhe Nebbiolo from Piedmont slip down alongside moreish, accomplished small plates from Linnea Tammemägi and Matilda Sandell, and a pic’n’mix-filled dessert stand forms part of a top-tier breakfast buffet, there’s much to love. Inside a 1780s culturally-listed building and former brewery set around a central courtyard, soundtracked by Daft Punk and Todd Terje tunes and free, live music sets during summertime, NOFO’s easygoing ambience and eclectic decor draws an adult, artistic crowd.

Part of the WorldHotels Crafted collection, a portfolio of stylish independent properties with a focus on rooted-in-their-neighbourhood experiences (which Hotel Frantz and Hotel Ruth are also part of) NOFO encourages guests to scratch below the surface, through ‘The Key to Soder’ a curated guide to the area’s under-the-radar spots, chosen by the in-the-know team, and local creatives. Bedrooms’ mood varies significantly, as different floors have been designed to evoke the style of the well-travelled owners’ favourite neighbourhoods. Brooklyn’s for example have exposed bricks, leather headboards and ticket stub artwork, those in Upper East Side style have a touch of Art Deco flourish, while white-on-white Italian numbers have fringed lampshades and lace details. Given rooms are booked by category size not design, it’s a bit of a roulette spin as to which style you’ll end up slumbering in, but all have their own charm, as well as 19-69 Purple Haze bathroom amenities and minibars filled with Two-Face kombucha and sweet treats from Pärlans Konfektyr.

Address: Tjärhovsgatan 11, 116 21 Stockholm, Sweden

The Sparrow Hotel, Stureplan

Moments from Stureplan on vibrant Birger Jarlsgaten, rubbing up against designer shops and boutiques, The Sparrow serves up French style. Kungstradgarden and Gamla Stan are a short walk away. Part of the same group as the renowned Grand Hôtel, its avian-monikered 87-room little sister, named after chanteuse Edith Piaf, is spread across two 1890s buildings rich in

heritage details – straight-out-of-a-Wes-Anderson film lattice grille lifts and rainbow-stained glass stairwell windows – and flirtatious Parisian wink. Wooden-floored bedrooms (the Classique and Superior options are typically sub-£250) are found along rabbit-warren like, sloping corridors and have chandelier lighting, restored ceiling pendants and cream palettes zhuzhed up with pink and navy accents. DUX beds, duck down duvets and bespoke 450-thread count Egyptian cotton linens make them wonderfully comfortable. Tiled bathrooms with L’occitane toiletries have heated floors that are a boon during Stockholm’s chillier months, and for extra Parisian pull, minus a higher price tag, pick Classique rooms 315 and 415 which have Birger Jarlsgaten-facing balconies.

French fare at The Bistro, helmed by Mathias Dahlgren and Staffan Naess is as delicious as the candlelit space, filled with bent wood cafe chairs, pillars and chestnut-coloured banquette seating, is atmospheric. Pleasing French-inspired buffet spreads feature Green Rabbit bakery pastries, eggs royale with creamed carrot, coffee from ethical producers Lykke kaffegårdar and macarons. For convivial catch ups, there’s a Studio Ramson-designed lounge where dusky pink lamps with petal-like shades cascade from the ceiling and – thanks to a Moët & Chandon collaboration – Stockholm’s most affordable glasses of Moët (145 SEK/£11.75) are served, as well as a more intimate, mirror-walled wine bar. Service at reception can be fairly reserved; expect ramped joie de vivre in The Bistro.

Address: Birger Jarlsgatan 24, 114 34 Stockholm, Sweden