Pärlan Hotell

Parlan means «the pearl» in Swedish and this is definitely a hidden jewel in Stockholm. It is tucked away in the upscale Östermalm neighborhood away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It literally feels more like you are staying in someone’s charming home than a hotel. Our room was very comfortable and we had a great view overlooking the inner courtyard. There is a small dining room, kitchen and sitting room that are all available for your use. Each morning there is an AMAZING breakfast of fresh cheese, meats, bread, yogurt and juices that I looked forward to every day (and we would make sandwiches to take with us for the day so that we could avoid buying lunch). Also included is a light dinner at the Wellington Hotel just two blocks away so you can literally avoid having to buy a meal during the day which is great. There are also always cookies and croissants sitting out in the kitchen if you get hungry. If there is one downside of the Parlan it is that they have been bought out by Clarion Hotels (which also owns The Wellington) which does make it feel a bit more corporate as you have to check in with them. The next time that I am back in Stockholm I would definitely stay here again as it was safe, warm, comfortable, conveniently located, and felt like a second home in a new city.

This is a great place for all those frequent travellers who once in a while want to escape the anonymity and standards of the corporate or even fancy hotel world. When you walk into Pärla Hotel it’s like stepping into someone’s apartment and right away you feel like you’re home away from home…
This little jewel (it’s name translates as «perl») is situated in Östermalm and thus within walking distance of the city centre, Gamlastan and the harbour. In order to get to the «lobby» or reception area, you enter what seems to be like an ordinary entrance to a typical Stockholm residence. Walk up to the 2^nd floor (or take the Parisian-​like cage elevator) and you then knock on the door of the hotel.
The reception is only manned during the morning and early afternoon and everyone who comes after will have to let themselves in. In fact, upon making a reservation, you will have received a code for the door and the keys to your room will have been placed in an envelope on the reception desk.
I got to chat a little with the woman who was running the reception desk on the day I checked in. I was curious about the layout and the origin of this hotel, as it is so unusual to have such a huge space within an ordinary apartment block. She told me that although this has been a hotel for many years now, it used to be a girls dormitory and before that even some sort of hospital.
The room that I stayed it definitely reminded me of a dorm room. Having said that, it isn’t luxurious or equipped with fancy technology… at all. There’s a bed, a plain bathroom, a desk and a TV. It’s very clean and well-​maintained, but if you come here and expect a 5-​star environment, then you will be disappointed. What I actually liked about my single room was that the bed was pushed against the wall on one side, which made me feel like a kid again, when I always liked to sleep against the security of a wall…
The best thing about Pärla Hotel is the fact that it just feels so damn cozy. In the morning I heard how they were preparing the breakfast in the kitchen and I just loved that… it’s the personal touch that matters. The breakfast itself is included in the rate and again, it’s not the all-​featuring breakfast buffet you might be used from big hotels, but this is made & arranged with love and care.
All in all, I really loved it here and I can only recommend it to anyone who’s sick of the sameness of big hotels and instead wants to experience a holiday or a business trips of a different kind…