While Stockholm Arlanda may be extremely well connected to the city centre, sometimes an early flight departure just makes that too inconvenient. Located in the ‘SkyCity’, which sits between the airport’s terminals, Radisson Blu Stockholm Arlanda is the most convenient option, being just minutes from the check-in desks. Here’s my review of Radisson Blu Stockholm Arlanda, having stayed here several times.
In this post:
First impressions
Checking in during the late afternoon was extremely busy on this visit, but it took only twenty minutes to get my room key.
The atrium is very airy and open, letting a good amount of daylight into a reception area that would otherwise be very dark and dingy. Here you can also see the age of the hotel, with nineties-esque wood panelling harking back to its 1993 opening date, even though there have been design refurbishments since then.
On this stay, I was on the sixth floor of the property. Once again, there are signs of the hotel’s age in the corridors.
Thankfully, the room was a little better in terms of design and had clearly been updated in recent years.
The room
At the heart of the room is the double-sized bed, which was on the smaller side for a stay of this cost. I slept very well during this visit, thanks to the firmer mattress paired with very soft pillows.
This room looked over the SkyCity shopping mall as opposed to directly onto the apron. Partly, this probably contributed to a quiet night’s sleep, along with the soundproofed window, which is a positive combination for those who need a good rest before an early flight.
A very comfortable leather chair can be found in the corner of the room, which I found rather relaxing to spend some time in during my stay.
Next to the bed on each side is a European power outlet and two USB-A ports per side, which is welcome considering that this hotel will have a lot of people who might not be carrying a travel adapter.
Opposite the bed is a large television with access to local digital channels, with a luggage rack below it. Next to this is a solid desk with an inbuilt fridge and a reasonable chair. I took a few Zoom calls for a couple of hours, which worked smoothly with internet speeds of around 20Mbps, though after those calls I found the chair made me a little numb.
The inclusion of a kettle is welcome; however, its position on the desk isn’t ideal for spreading out when using the space. A spare European power outlet can be found on the opposite corner of the desk.
The minibar is well stocked with soft drinks and mineral water; however, the items are chargeable.
A healthily sized wardrobe can be found near the entrance to the room. Here there is a safe, an ironing board and iron, plus a handful of proper wooden hangers. There aren’t many, but they are sufficient for the majority of people, who are probably here for just one night.
Onto the bathroom, and you’ve got a dated but well-appointed design. There’s a quasi-rainfall shower alongside a handheld shower head inside the bathtub. The walls are clad in a marble-style design, which feels unlikely to have been refurbished since the property opened.
Unlike competing hotel chains, Radisson haven’t opted for third-party branded body wash, shampoo and conditioner. I found the quality below average and quite itchy on my skin, which isn’t ideal, so I recommend you bring your own if your skin is easily irritated.
Elsewhere around the property
There is also a fitness centre. It’s a decent if unremarkable facility with a good selection of cardio equipment but, as with many hotels, the weights were lacking.
There are a few options for food within the SkyCity shopping mall if you’re feeling hungry during your stay. It’s worth noting that these close quite early, so you’ll need to plan to eat before 8pm, when many of the outlets close.
On this trip I didn’t try the breakfast buffet, although I did on my previous stay. It’s a very Scandinavian affair, with primarily cold items and a few hot items such as bacon and sausages. The hotel has extended breakfast hours from 04:30 to 10:00, which can make it a very convenient option for those on early flights, though I suspect many will find breakfast that early a bit too much.
Final thoughts
If you’re flying from Stockholm Arlanda, then Radisson Blu Stockholm Arlanda is the most convenient option available. I was at my airline check-in desk within two minutes of leaving the hotel. However, you’re paying a high price for this convenience. If you’re not on the first flights departing Arlanda and don’t mind a short bus or taxi ride to the terminal, you may wish to spend half as much to stay at a near-identical and newer Radisson Blu located one mile from the airport entrance. For most people, that is probably the superior option.
