Hobo

Hobo is a boutique hotel on Brunkebergstorg, a square in the heart of Stockholm's city centre between T-Centralen and Kungsträdgården. With 201 rooms, it is larger than most boutique hotels, but it keeps a playful, informal personality that sets it apart from conventional business hotels nearby. The hotel describes itself as unique, locally inspired and globally curated, and it appeals to families and city-break visitors looking for good value in a central location as much as to design fans.

Several room categories are offered, including superior rooms and double rooms, and some offers include an extra room for children, which is useful for families who want to stay together without paying for a large suite. Because rooms vary, check the room descriptions when booking, especially if you need extra space for luggage or are travelling with children and want to be sure of the bed arrangement.

The Hobo bar and restaurant is, in the hotel's words, the heart of the house. It is a sociable space for breakfast, coffee, meetings and evening drinks, and it is popular with locals as well as guests, so the ground floor has a lively feel through the day. TAK, the rooftop restaurant in the same building, offers a different evening out high above the city centre and is worth booking ahead.

Hobo suits solo travellers, couples, friends and young families who want a central, characterful base at a price below the city's luxury hotels. It is especially convenient for visitors who want to walk to the main sights: Gamla Stan, the Royal Palace, Kungsträdgården, the Royal Opera and the shopping streets of Norrmalm are all within ten to fifteen minutes on foot. Book directly through the hotel's website to see the current offers, and expect busy periods in summer and in December. Rates usually drop at weekends outside the peak season, when business travel is quieter.

From Stockholm Central Station and the Arlanda Express terminal, Brunkebergstorg is a short walk east through the city centre. T-Centralen, the hub of the metro network, is a few minutes away, and Kungsträdgården station on the blue line is also close. The square is surrounded by shops, cafés and restaurants, and Sergels torg and the Kulturhuset cultural centre are just around the corner.