747-200 Hostel vs. Radisson Blu Stockholm Airport

It was a tough choice. Parked directly across the street from our hotel was a Boeing 747-200 with rooms available at a similar price. But I was happy I ultimately chose the Radisson Stockholm Airport.

The Choice

Both properties were about $125/night for a triple. The “Jumbo Hostel” included a double bed with a twin bed above it. Showers were down the hall and breakfast was not included. Here are a few stock photos:

a bed with white sheets and a white pillow

a tv on the wall

a row of white doors with blue stripes

a bathroom with a shower curtain and a toilet

It just looked a little congested.

As it turned out, our room at the Radisson Stockholm Airport (not to be confused with the in-terminal Radisson SkyCity Stockholm Arlanda Airport) was not much bigger and required a roll-away bed, but still felt more spacious than a dorm/hostel room.

Review: Radisson Stockholm Airport

We arrived after midnight and were quickly assigned a room on the 5th floor. The room was a bit blasé, but clean and comfortable. Per the website, it looks like updated/remodeled rooms are available and we simply did not receive one. But we just needed a place to sleep and have breakfast.

You can see, the room and our view of a brick wall outside was simply “meh”. But the hotel made up for it in a big way with breakfast. The breakfast buffet the following morning, complimentary for al hotel guests, was tremendous. The selection and quality was amazing and would put the Hilton Stockholm Slussen (where we spent the next evening) to shame.

The coffee machine was broken, but a friendly waitress offered to make me a cappuccino from another (much better) machine in the bar. It was excellent.

a counter with coffee cups and other items

a coffee machine and a stack of plates

a cup of coffee with a heart shaped foam on top of it

The dining room and common areas of the hotel were modern yet chic:

A business center in the lobby–

a glass door with a sign in the middle of a building

Another advantage to the Radisson Blu over the 747-200 hostel: swimming pool + fitness room + sauna.

a wooden bench in a sauna

Free parking as well–

a sign on the side of a road

CONCLUSION

Ask for a remodeled room when you say at the Raddison Blu Stockholm Airport: they look wonderful. But whatever room you get, count on a great breakfast. While sleeping in a 747-200 hostel continues to be alluring, I believe we made the wise choice in choosing the Radisson across the street.

a building with a flag in front of it

4 Comments

Christian Reply

July 21, 2017 at 7:53 am

Once I read “showers down the hall” you lost me! The Radisson could be significantly more expensive and I would gladly pay the price to not relive dorm hell of having to shower and use the toilet down the hall.
- ABC Reply
  
  July 21, 2017 at 9:03 am
  
  Points and Cash are frequently the best option here.
  - Matthew Reply
    
    July 21, 2017 at 9:36 am
    
    May be, but unfortunately I have no Club Carlson points.
Billiken Reply

July 21, 2017 at 1:44 pm

Wait, you had the opportunity to sleep in a converted 747??? Yes, yes, I understand the hotel was more comfortable than the hostel, but come on, it’s a 747! I think you need to turn in your AV geek card 😉