|
The 47-room Red Boat Malaren, or Den Roda Batan Malaren, is a floating hotel on the northern edge of Sodermalm that offers rooms in—you guessed it—a red boat. Actually, there are three boats that comprise the Roda Baten: a restaurant (open only during the summer) and two boat-hotels. Accomodations range from a comfortable, newly renovated en suite rooms to a basic 10-room dormitory.
The Red Boat's three ships are docked just west of Centralbron, the bridge leading to historic Gamla Stan. From the Roda Baten, it's a decent walk to the hip parts of the hood, which are up the hill and a few blocks east. The smaller of the two boat-hotels doesn't have much in the way of shared spaces—the deck is positively barren—though the main boat has a breakfast room/lounge in front of the reception.
En suite rooms, referred to as "hotel" rooms, are in various stages of renovation, with the newest ones being the nicest. The "Admiral," for instance, is spacious and fresh with a warm palette of chocolate browns and peaches, wood floors, and fresh, new furniture.
At the other end of the scale are the "hostel" rooms, which are smaller, un-renovated rooms with shared showers and toilets. In line with the name, hostel rooms are decorated in red. Sheets are included in the price, though towels and breakfast cost extra. Beds and rooms are narrow. Shared toilets are perfectly clean (as is the case in most of Stockholm). Some rooms are darker than others. If you have the option, check out a few before you decide.
Rooms that do not face the water, face a wide, somewhat busy road. Thus a room on the waterfront may offer more peace and quiet, in addition to a nice view.
|
