Originally posted October 31, 2019

At the beginning of October, I celebrated my one year anniversary of moving to Sweden… and, about a week or so before that, I FINALLY got my Swedish personal number!

If you or anyone you know has ever relocated and registered to live in Sweden, you know it can be a real doozy… (and if ya don’t know, now ya know). When the long, complicated process of getting settled in and legitimized was finally done, we decided to do something special. To celebrate the momentous (long-awaited) occasion we took a long weekend trip up to Stockholm!

Given I’ve lived here for a year, I’m not sure how this was my first time going there… especially since round-trip train tickets from Malmo only cost us about US$70… but I CAN tell ya that it definitely won’t be the last! Stockholm did not disappoint… and neither did the hotel where we set up camp!

If you’re planning a trip to Sweden’s capital and aren’t sure where to stay, check out Downtown Camper by Scandic - Stockholm’s coziest hotel hideaway!

Disclosure: I was a guest of Downtown Camper but, as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Great Outdoors… Indoors

Since I started travel writing a few years ago, I have stayed at my fair share of hotels. In that time, I haven’t seen it all… but I have seen a lot - the good, the bad, the dingy, the luxe, and the downright disgusting. I am by no means a “hotelier,” but all this checking in and checking out does make me at least somewhat of an expert on the subject of cool hotels… and I can say with 100% honesty that Downtown Camper has one of the most unique concepts I’ve ever seen in a hotel… hands down… especially for a hotel that is a part of such a huge regional chain.

Though it is one of many Scandic hotels in Stockholm, Downtown Camper has none of the cookie cutter decor or stuffy atmosphere that you’d expect from a typical corporate hotel property. It does, however, have a whole lot of personality… and so do the people who keep things running smoothly around here.

According to the folks over at Downtown Camper, this is a space where nature meets metropolis, where Stockholm locals meet visitors, and (according to me) where guests can expect to do a whole lot more than just catching some zzz’s.

setting up camp

When you enter the bedroom, the first thing you’ll notice is the crackling fire greeting you on the TV. These cozy campfire vibes are complimented by the room’s neutral earthy tones and rustic decor… and contrasted by the modern Scandi-design of the white and black bathroom.

On our first night, we stayed in a Classic Double, and, after we returned from our cruise to Helsinki, we spent another night in a Spacious Double. Both rooms were super cozy and equipped with everything we needed, including a super cozy daybed by the window… aka the PERFECT spot to sip on a cup of morning coffee and map out our plans for the day.

The main difference between the Classic and Spacious Double rooms is as the name suggests - The size. The latter also had a bathtub and windows covering two of the room’s four walls. I don’t mind a small hotel room when travelling (as I rarely spend much time there anyway), but windows and natural light are a must for me… so I was very happy with our bright and airy upgrade to the Spacious Double.

If you prefer more of a cave like atmosphere, you can book a windowless “Sleep” room… (which I’d imagine would be a great option for business travellers or anyone suffering from jet-lag). Travelling as a family or with a large group? Downtown Camper also offers suites and co-living spaces that can accommodate up to a dozen people!

around the site

To put it simply, the whole Downtown Camper property is pretty amazing. I’ve never stayed in a hotel that was so impressively designed AND had so much going on.

From the bustling lobby and meeting spaces to the restaurants, bars, and rooftop wellness area, there’s a lot going on at Downtown Camper. No attention to detail was spared when it came to decorating this cozy, urban oasis… and, unlike at other hotels, the cozy look isn’t just for show.

There are loads of creative common areas for people to meet, work, and lounge. My personal favorites were the Game Room (complete with shuffle board and swing seats), and The Net hanging over the lobby just past the reception desk.

Throughout the week, hotel guests can enjoy a sound therapy session and full body scans up in the net. After the session, the net stays open for a bit for those who want to just chill here. It’s a super cozy spot that I kinda wish had been open more consistently. I can totally see myself enjoying a book or getting some writing done up here!

As you’d expect from a hotel in the middle of a major city, Downtown Camper can get pretty busy. Whether you’ve had a long day of work, exploring, or just need to escape the hustle and bustle of Stockholm (and the rest of the hotel), a trip upstairs to The Nest is a must.

Located on the top floor, the Nest is a wellness area exclusively for guests age 16 and up. Start your day with yoga on the rooftop terrace, relax in the nest shaped sauna, or take a dip in the heated infinity pool.

The whole space offers magical views of the city and was the perfect place to rest and recharge on our final evening in Stockholm. For obvious courtesy reasons, I didn’t take many pictures up here… but I did get this shot before putting away my cameras, grabbing a glass of champagne, and watching the sun go down over the city from the rooftop pool.

food + drinks

There are a few different options for food and drinks around the hotel, but the most popular is the Camper Grill and Bar. Breakfast is served super early here (which is both a blessing and a curse). This will make you get an early start on your day, though you’ll probably have trouble tearing yourself away from these super comfy beds. I can promise you that the spread waiting for you at the breakfast buffet is totally worth waking up early for.

Andrew and I missed breakfast our first morning here (because of the aforementioned comfy beds), so on our second morning we made sure to set our alarms and were among the first to hit the buffet. There were of course the standard waffles, pancakes, sausages, and eggs that you can expect from most hotel breakfasts… but there were lots of healthy vegan and vegetarian friendly options offered, too. They even had fresh pressed juices! We both agreed it was the best hotel brekky we’ve ever had.

Unfortunately, I didn’t dine at Camper Grill and Bar for any other meals, however, I did catch a whiff of whatever they were serving up for lunch and dinner… and the smells alone had my mouth watering. This is a popular spot for locals, too, and there was always a huge lineup at lunch time, so I’d recommend booking your table in advance! For bookings contact restaurant.downtowncamper@scandichotels.com.

Alongside the Camper Grill, you’ll find one of the hotel’s two bars.

It’s open for both hotel guests and locals seven days a week, and, like the rest of the property, there’s a really cozy rustic vibe. Grab one of their delicious cocktails and have a seat on one of the swings. Seriously - Swings for seats! So cute.

The bar is open from noon to midnight weekly, and stays open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Nest Cocktail Lounge is another great spot to grab a drink at Downtown Camper. This rooftop lounge serves up light bar snacks, gorgeous cocktails, and incredible views of Stockholm. They also have DJs at their weekly afterwork events here.

The bar is open 4pm-11pm from Tuesday to Thursday and 2pm-1am on Fridays and Saturdays. It is closed on Sunday and Monday, but, as far as I know, guests can still visit the lounge and enjoy the space even when the bar isn’t open.

For a healthy bite to eat, head to the Downtown Camper Café.

This new cafe is located by the hotel’s second entrance on Drottninggatan, one of Stockholm’s most popular walking streets. The 100% vegetarian menu offers a wide variety of delicious, plant-based foods.

Beside the cafe area, there is another space with couches and tables where you can get some work done, relax, or meet with friends and colleagues - (I’m honestly surprised I was able to get a shot of it empty because the next time I came through here it was PACKED).

events + activities

Downtown Camper has lots of free onsite activities and events that guests can participate in throughout the week like yoga classes, afterwork events, and weekend films.

As tempting as it’ll be to stick around the hotel, you have to get out and explore the city, too. Join one of the walking, biking, running, or photo tours led by a local Downtown Camper guide, and, if none of that strikes your fancy, head over to the lifestyle concierge for the inside scoop on what to do in Stockholm. You can even rent a bike, skateboard, longboard, or kayak to explore the city on your own!

For more information about their weekly activities and events, visit Downtown Camper’s website or Facebook page.

location, location, location!

…and (on top of everything else this hotel has goin’ for it) the location is something else I loved about Downtown Camper! It’s literally smack dab in the middle of Stockholm, and right around the corner from the Central Station, so getting around is super easy and convenient. While you’re at it, you have to check out the city’s incredible underground art.

For more info on the best stations to visit and when, check out the photo guide below!