Stockholm, Sweden

This comfortable and lively hostel in the centre of Stockholm boasts a wide range of accessible rooms.  These vary from dormitories to deluxe king so are suitable for many from single travellers to couples and family groups.  There are also quite a number of rooms available so it could be a good option for groups.

The hostel describes itself as an ‘Experience and design-led city centre hotel’ and this is played out in real life.  The atmosphere in the hostel is vibrant with lots going on.  Frida’s cafe offers a range of snacks and a particularly good breakfast, while Bar Hilda is ideal for a few evening drinks.  Bikes are available for hire and there is table football and pool tables for use by residents.  Should you be wishing for a little peace (as it is very busy!) there are private spaces available for hire as well.

The communal areas are all accessible.  Starting at the main entrance, there are double automatic doors with step free access.  The main reception desk does not offer a lowered area but staff are very helpful and eager to accommodate all users.  Downstairs, there are automatic doors throughout. There is a variety of seating options available in the communal areas including wooden benches, regular chairs and comfortable sofa seating.  In some areas, the same is a little tight for wheelchair users but nothing that cannot be adjusted.  There are lifts to all floors, big enough to accommodate 4 or 5 people comfortably.

The rooms itself are generally spacious, well maintained and spotlessly clean.  They are comfortable and welcoming , simple but appealing, with little touches that elevate them nicely.  They have wooden floors in the bedroom and tiles in the bathroom.  There is plenty of room with wide doors and step free access both into the room and the bathroom.

The rooms are also very light and airy so users with impaired vision will find navigating the room straightforward.

Beds have plenty of space underneath if a hoist is required.  The clearance space under the desk is sufficient to be able to get underneath with a wheelchair.

In the bathroom there is a roll in shower with a fold down grab rail.  The sink is also suitable for getting under with a wheelchair.  The mirror over the sink is not too high meaning users in a wheelchair should be able to use it effectively.

There are a couple of things that could be improved but these are mostly minor.  Bedside tables are exceedingly low so could prove problematic to use for someone with limited mobility.  Shower dispensers are a little high for easy use but as the hostel policy is generally to bring your own toiletries this should not really be an issue.  One of the king sized rooms I looked at had little space next to the bed to get a wheelchair while another had a narrow gap to get past the bed.

For users with vision impairments it is worth noting that in the bedroom itself there is little colour contrast between the walls and floors.  This is not the case in the bedroom where black floors and white walls make this easier to differentiate.

The rooms all vary but access is generally good and well worth considering for users with disabilities.  It would, however, be strongly recommended to contact the hostel prior to booking to ensure that individual rooms would be suitable.  The staff are exceedingly helpful and keen to take on and action any feedback received.

Accessible room types available:

6 bed female dormitory

4 bed mixed dormitory

Superior twin

Deluxe king sized

Example room measurements:

Superior twin

Space between bed and wall:     94cm on one side, 63cm on the other

Height of bed:     55cm

Height of bedside table:     32cm

Clearance space under bed:     34cm

Clearance space under desk:     74cm

Clearance space under sink:     73cm

Toilet height:     48cm

Deluxe king

All measurements are the same except space between wall and bed was 33cm on one side, 22cm on the other.  It is worth noting that better clearance may be available in a different room as all differ in their layout, hence the need to check in advance.