Review

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At first sight the Birger Jarl (which takes its name from the 13th-century statesman credited with establishing Stockholm as the country's capital) can seems rather bland. The hotel is housed in a spectacularly uninteresting 1970s building, but when you step inside you'll notice that there's an emphasis on modern Swedish design.

Among the standard rooms, which are furnished with simple furniture and white walls, there is a series of individually styled rooms all created by different Swedish designers. Room 709, for instance, is also called Miss Dottie and has walls covered with polka dots.

Some rooms work well, but others seem to be more about the ego of the designer than the comfort of the guest, so it's wise to check the website to confirm what your room looks like. Although it's on a rather drab street, the Birger Jarl is handily located for access to the nightlife of both Östermalm and Vasastan.

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