Hotels are usually of a high standard. Most have a restaurant and/or cafe and a TV lounge, and many include a buffet breakfast in the price. Good first- and medium-class hotels are found in every Swedish town. They are mostly private but are, in many cases, operated by hotel groups and offer special reduced rates for the summer and weekends. Special packages are available throughout the year in Gothenburg, Malmö and Stockholm.
Scattered all over Sweden are country hotels, characterised by good food and attractive settings. Some are renovated and modernised manor houses or centuries-old farmhouses which have frequently been in the same family for generations. They are mostly independently owned and are often located in picturesque surroundings. Others are traditional old inns. During the summer many hotels offer facilities for swimming, fishing, boating, golf and flower-spotting or bird-watching excursions. There are also a number of mountain hotels which are ideal for those who want a peaceful holiday. They provide a good base for expeditions in the mountains and guided walks are often arranged, as well as other activities such as keep-fit classes, fishing and canoeing. Many are also popular skiing hotels in the winter. A comprehensive list of hotels can be found online (website: www.hotelsinsweden.net). The one- to five-star grading system was introduced in 2003. An SHR sign indicates that they belong to the Swedish Hotel & Restaurant Association (SHR), Sveriges Hotell & Restaurang Företagare, PO Box 1158, Kammarkargatan 39, 111 81 Stockholm (tel: (8) 762 7400; website: www.shr.se). Many Swedish hotels offer discounted rates throughout the summer and at weekends during the winter and some of the leading chains have special deals which can be booked in advance, including the SARA Hotels Scandinavian Bonus Pass, the Scandic Hotel Cheque Scheme and the Sweden Hotel Pass. Details of these offers and other (including family) discount schemes are contained in the annual guide Hotels in Sweden, obtainable from VisitSweden (see Top Things To Do). Sweden also has a large number of motels, most of which are new, usually situated on the outskirts of towns or in the countryside. Parking is free. They may have swimming pools, a gymnasium and saunas, restaurants and self-service cafes.

Working farms throughout Sweden offer accommodation, either in the main farmhouse or in an adjoining cottage. Accommodation is normally on a bed & breakfast basis, with self-catering facilities. Some farms offer full board. Accommodation can be booked through local tourist offices. For more information and bookings, see online (website: www.bopalantgard.org).

Forest cabins and chalets are available throughout the country, generally set in beautiful surroundings, near lakes, in quiet forest glades or on an island in some remote archipelago. Purpose-built chalets generally consist of a living room, two or three bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchen and a toilet. They can generally accommodate up to six people, and cooking utensils, cutlery, blankets and pillows are provided. Visitors only need to supply sheets and towels. Log cabins offer a slightly simpler type of accommodation. Renovated cottages and farm buildings are also available, usually in remote spots.

Sweden’s many chalet villages offer the advantage of amenities such as a grocery, general shops, leisure facilities, restaurants, swimming pools, saunas, launderette, playgrounds, mini-golf, tennis, badminton or volleyball. Some have programmes of special activities such as music, dancing, barbecues, riding, fishing and walking trails. It is often possible to rent boats or bicycles. Information on rental of holiday cottages or flats can be obtained from specialist agencies, local tourist offices in Sweden or VisitSweden.

Family camping holidays are extremely popular in Sweden and there is a tremendous variety of attractive sites. Most are located in picturesque surroundings, often on a lakeside or by the sea with free bathing facilities close at hand. There are over 600 campsites, all officially approved and classified by VisitSweden. Many offer facilities such as boat or bicycle rental, mini-golf, tennis, riding or saunas. Many campsites have facilities for the disabled. Most authorised sites are open with full service 1 Jun-15 Aug. Many sites are also open in April or May but the full range of ancillary facilities, such as the post office, may not be open. About 200 sites remain open in the winter, particularly in the winter sports areas in central and northern Sweden. All sites open during the winter have electric sockets for caravans.
The price for one night for the whole family plus tent or caravan and use of services is one of the lowest rates in Europe, although at some sites there are small charges for the use of services like showers or launderette. A Camping Card Scandinavia is recommended. It can be bought beforehand and works as a credit card for site fees, allows a quicker check-in time, discounted petrol and provides accident insurance whilst on site. Contact Camping in Sweden for more details (website: www.camping.se). Camping Cheques, valid at more than 350 sites, can be purchased before the holiday but only as part of a package including a return car-ferry journey. Each cheque is valid for one night’s fees for a family with car plus tent or caravan, but does not include additional services. Detailed information about camping in Sweden is contained in a pamphlet which is available free of charge from VisitSweden; an abbreviated list of campsites is also available. Motor homes and caravans can be rented. Camping Gaz is not normally available in Sweden and visitors are recommended to take their own supplies. Only propane gas (eg Primus) is obtainable. This is widely available at more than 2000 Primus dealers along with the necessary equipment at reasonable prices. It is important to ensure that equipment designed to burn butane is not refilled with propane; this is both illegal and highly dangerous. It is possible to camp rough in areas away from other dwellings.
A useful alternative to tent or caravan camping is to rent one of 4400 camping cabins which are available at 350 sites. These contain bunk beds and kitchen equipment but not sheets.

There are more than 300 hostels that range from mansions to a renovated sailing ship, the Af Chapman, in the centre of Stockholm, as well as many purpose-built hostels. There are no restrictions on who may use Sweden’s hostels. Hostels have two to four beds per room, or family rooms, plus self-catering facilities. The hostels are run by the Swedish Tourist Federation (STF) but members of the International Youth Hostels Federation get a cheaper rate, on production of a membership card. All youth hostels are open during the summer and some for the whole year. They are closed during the day but are open to check in new guests 0800-0930 and 1700-2200. During the summer it is advisable to book in advance. A list of Swedish youth hostels can be ordered from STF (see Top Things To Do). The hostels are also listed in the International Youth Hostel Handbook, available through the YHA in the UK; see also online (website: www.svenskaturistforeningen.se).

STF runs Sweden’s youth hostels and several mountain stations in the north of the country and looks after the many mountain huts along the long-distance hiking trails. STF also publishes a list of guest harbours and issues guidance to hikers and canoeing enthusiasts. Membership is not required to stay at one of the hostels.

Many old buildings in Sweden are now being run as hotels. They provide a unique accommodation experience and are often situated on lakes or rivers with parklands and golf courses. Take advantage of the low weekend or summer prices. Package deals are also available.

Swedish Hotel & Restaurant Association (SHR)
Sveriges Hotell & Restaurang Företagare, PO Box 1158, Kammarkargatan 39, 111 81 Stockholm, Sweden
Tel: (8) 762 7400.
Website: www.shr.se