Hotel RivalvsCity Backpackers Hostel
Both properties are highly recommended by writers. On balance, Hotel Rival is the choice of most professionals compared to City Backpackers Hostel. Hotel Rival scores 92 with recommendations from 10 sources such as Frommer's, Lonely Planet and Michelin Guide.
Hotel Rival Show All Reviews
Mariatorget 3, Box 17525, Stockholm 11891, Sweden
From $146/night
- Bar/Lounge
- Free Internet
- Room Service
- Free Breakfast
- Laundry Service
- Concierge
Michelin Guide
"Warm, stylish hotel... in a charming neighbourhood."
Concierge
"All is properly Swedish-modern, with pine-green, raspberry, or oatmeal floor-length velvet drapes, wood floors with thick rugs, pale birch, and the odd piece by Scand stars."
Oyster
Upscale
"Owned by former ABBA-member Benny Andersson, the boutique Hotel Rival is located in a residential neighborhood, overlooking a small park." Full review
Lonely Planet
Top Choice
"Owned by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and overlooking leafy Mariatorget, this ravishing design hotel is a chic retro gem." Full review
Travel + Leisure
"Adjoining the Mariatorget Square, Hotel Rival is designed as a 1930s Art Deco cinema... Old Town is just a five minute walk away." Full review
Time Out
"Owned by Benny from Abba, the Rival was created by combining the best parts of the 1930s hotel that once stood here with high-tech comforts." Full review
Star Service
"Hotel Rival is a perennial favorite, a trendsetter plunked down in the heart of the trendy Sodermalm district." Full review
The Telegraph
9.0
"A refreshing burst of vivid colour: this former classic theatre turned avant-garde boutique hotel was the first of its kind in Stockholm." Full review
Jetsetter
"A sleek, design-centric boutique hotel in the neighborhood Vogue deemed the coolest in Europe." Full review
Afar Magazine
"A modern hotel owned by founding ABBA member Benny Andersson...99 uniquely designed rooms, cocktail bars, café, restaurant, and a large 700-person cinema for conferences." Full review
i
More importantly, it also serves the most sought-after smörgåsbord brunch in town.
City Backpackers Hostel
Upplandsgatan 2a, Stockholm 11123, Sweden
From $18/night
- Bar/Lounge
- Free Internet
- Laundry Service
- Laundy Room
- Multilingual
- Kitchenette
Lonely Planet
Top Choice
"The closest hostel to Centralstationen has clean rooms, friendly staff, free bike hire and excellent facilities, including a sauna, a laundry and kitchen (with a free stash of pasta)." Full review
Rough Guide
Star
"Friendly hostel with a hundred beds, only 5min from the Central Station."
Time Out
"Located in a 19th-century building on Norra Bantorget square, this 82-bed hostel is convenient, a ten-minute walk from Central Station, and near Hötorget and the shopping district." Full review
EuroCheapo
Editor's Pick
"Located just a couple minutes away from Central Station and the center of Stockholm, City Backpackers is the perfect place for, well, backpackers." Full review
The Telegraph
8.0
"This city-centre hostel melds practicality and style, with cosy public spaces and facilities ranging from the commonplace – laundry and free Wi-Fi – to the eccentric – sauna tours." Full review
Frommer's
"Scandinavian hostels look better than many hotels do in other parts of the world, and this one is no exception." Full review
i
Choose between cheap dorms if you like snoring, or private rooms if you have the added cash.
Lonely Planet
Top choice
"The closest hostel to Centralstationen has clean rooms, friendly staff, free bike hire and excellent facilities, including sauna, laundry and kitchen (with a free stash of pasta)" Full review