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Stockholm Day 4 - Our last day in Stockholm

We knew that our bad luck had to finish today. We knew the city a little more by this stage, and were looking forward to our day of appointments.

We started off by meeting Lars and Anika from the Ryjerfjord Hostel. Breakfast was in full swing and we got to see the place in full occupancy. They showed us around, and whilst I previously could not envisage how the rooms would be, there were a variety of dorm rooms, and privates of varying style, sizes and prices. The Ryjerfjord is actually 2 boats side by side, with the more hotel based rooms on one, and the others on the original boat. It is a great novelty to be staying on a boat and they have converted it well. There is a lovely spacious lounge upstairs on the main boat, and plenty of outside space to sit and relax. Of course, being a boat, the location is superb with although a main road on one side, but a main road right near a great area of Stockholm, the other side’s view is of the gorgeous canal and waterfront with views to the other side of the canal.

Following this, we had a short walk to Renfierna Hostel. Unfortunately, Peter, the manager had misunderstood that the meeting would be held today, and was not there, but the receptionist gave us a quick tour of the premises. Clean and basic, this hostel has both hostel and hotel rooms, as many seem to in Stockholm. There is a good area downstairs for breakfast and communing and free internet facilities also. It is in a very central location right in the very popular Slussen area with lots of great shops and restaurants nearby.

After this, we headed back on the other side again, to a hostel called Hostel Bed and Breakfast. We met with Marie, who was the only staff on, so she frequently had to help guests, but she was very good at multi-tasking and very friendly. It is a tiny hostel, but has a really cosy feel to it. It is changing hands in November to new management, but it will hopefully maintain the same small scale feel to it. Although small, it manages to have a communal area, and self catering kitchen so has everything that a backpacker needs, as well as being extremely central.

Back to the “Boats street”

Our next appointment was right next to the Rygerfjord, on another boat, called the Red Boat Malaren. We met with the incredibly charismatic Mia, who like Marie, was the only one there. Mia’s boat is as you would expect, red in colour and is quite beautiful. She gave us a hot drink each, and Neha, who I have discovered likes her coffee very very sugary mistook her cup of coffee for my tea and I ended up with an extremely sweet drink! The Red Boat is also 2 boats, but due to lack of staffing when we were there, we were only able to see one. There is a lovely lounge area and space for sitting and relaxing or eating breakfast, and it is the friendliness and infectious personality of Mia that would make your stay here really something special. Each guest gets a postcard of the Red Boat to take away with them.

Next, we were to meet at The Colonial Hotel, where we were staying, but Anders the manager was unable to make it. However, we did both speak to him over the phone, and thanked him for the stay which had been very comfortable. The room had everything you needed, and the elevator although requiring some coaxing at times got you there safely. The breakfast in the mornings was excellent with a great array of different food to suit different needs, and the reception staff were very friendly. Colonial is also in an excellent location, right in the centre of Stockholm.

After this, we went to the City Lodge hostel, where we met with Anne. Although very busy, was very friendly and showed us round in between dealing with her guests. the City Lodge is a very new, very clean hostel, with an area downstairs for communal living along with free internet facilities. This is extremely close to the Central station, and is currently owned by the same manager as the Hostel Bed and Breakfast. It seems a friendly place, and good value for your money.

Our final appointment of the day was, back to the same boat street we had now visited 3 times today. Feeling like we knew this street intimately by now, we met briefly with Sanna, who showed us around, and then with the receptionist Pia. I was very impressed by this boat, as it had a lot of space in the rooms, and the deck and there was a great outdoor area for guests to sit. It is quite new, and has great facilities, with many more in the pipeline.

After this, we said goodbye to the “boat street” for the final time that day. Stockholm is an impressively beautiful city of gorgeous canals. You don’t feel like you are in a big city, although the size is vast, you almost have the feeling of sometimes being in a seaside town. Although we had a few challenges along the way, all the people that we met were amazingly helpful, and the Swedish lifestyle is very laid back and relaxed and yet very vibrant and alive at the same time. Definitely plan Stockholm in your itinerary. It is one of the most beautiful cities I have seen, and it is well worth the visit.