Scandic Malmen

Scandic Malmen sits on a busy street in the vibrant party district of Sodermalm. Large and modern, the hotel occupies a seven-story corner building that dates from 1951. The hip, young vibe and funky decor draw inspiration from the neighborhood's party scene. The lobby is decked out in industrial chic, with bright-orange utilitarian hanging lamps and steel tables and stools. Distressed-leather armchairs, chesterfields, and patterned rugs make up the sitting areas, while large black-and-white photos adorn the walls. The three on-site bars are popular with locals, especially on weekends. The hotel also hosts live music several times a week. Despite the party scene, the hotel, which has six meeting rooms, draws many business travelers, as well as couples and families.

Scandic Malmen is centrally located close to Medborgarplatsen Square, one of the city's largest squares and best-known landmarks. It's in the middle of the vibrant Sodermalm District, known for its many bars, restaurants, hip boutiques, and night spots. The area also has excellent transportation links -- the closest subway station is a one-minute walk away, making most areas of the city within easy reach of the hotel.

• One-minute walk to Medborgarplatsen subway station  
• Five minutes to Stockholm Central Station by public transportation
• Seven minutes to the House of Nobility (Riddarhuset) by public transportation
• Eight minutes to Riddarholmen Church (Riddarholmskyrkan) by public transportation
• Eight minutes to the Great Cathedral of Stockholm (Storkyrkan) by public transportation 
• Nine minutes to Stockholm Palace by public transportation
• Nine minutes to the Old Town (Gamla Stan) by public transportation 
• Nine minutes to the House of Culture by public transportation
• 16 minutes to National Museum by public transportation
• 23 minutes to Vasa Museum by public transportation
• 24 minutes to Skansen open-air museum by public transportation
• 39 minutes to Stockholm Airport by public transportation

The 332 rooms at the Scandic Malmen come in several categories, ranging from Cabin Rooms measuring 129 square feet to Master Suites of up to 516 square feet. Located in the basement, Cabin Rooms lack windows, and although they have red accent walls and modern art, they lack the flamboyance of the other rooms. Their bathrooms can also feel cramped, and they lack the same high-style finishes of others.

Standard Rooms have wooden floors and chic black cut-out headboards and black bed runners, which stand in striking contrast to the white walls and white furniture. Other rooms have a gray-and-white color scheme, with bright-purple pillows or rugs adding fun splashes of color. All rooms have graffiti-like mural accent walls, which give the rooms a hip, urban vibe. But bathrooms are small with wet-room open showers. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, and toiletries in the bathrooms. “Air cooling” is available only in some rooms, and many guests complain about inadequate air circulation. 

Superior Rooms, on the upper floors, are more spacious, and tend to have bigger beds and larger bathrooms. These rooms also add electric kettles, and bathrobes. Junior and Master Suites are on the top floors -- they have nice city views -- and  have separate living rooms, along with sofas, tables, and and mini-fridges. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos. Family Standard Plus Rooms, which can sleep up to four people, are also available. 

Note that lower-floor rooms can pick up street noise -- top-floor rooms tend to be quieter and are a better choice for light sleepers.

The Scandic Malmen has a few notable extras. The breakfast buffet is included in the room rate, and its offerings are organic, with gluten-free options available. Open for breakfast and lunch, Bistro Malmen highlights French cuisine. It has an open-air section that becomes an extension of the cocktail bar in the evenings. 

The hotel has three on-site bars that are popular with locals. Cocktailbaren is the more quiet of the three, serving cocktails until the early morning. Starting mid-week, DJs spin music in the evenings. During the day, the bar has more of a cafe atmosphere, and many people log in to work remotely here. There's also an open-air terrace. The hotel's largest bar is ironically called Lilla Hotellbaren (“little hotel bar”), and is said to have the longest bar in the city. This is a popular music venue featuring  DJs and live music six days a week. A third bar is located in the hotel's atrium.

A small fitness center, which includes two treadmills, an elliptical trainer, a stationary bicycle, free weights, and fitness balls in open to guests throughout the day. Guests can also borrow power bikes and walking poles to use outdoors.

The hotel has six meeting rooms available, accommodating up to 120 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. A small shop in the lobby sells snacks, drinks, and toiletries.