Elite Plaza Hotel

The name, Elite Plaza, inevitably creates expectations. And you can relax – the palatial hotel is exactly what it purports to be: a five-star digs with everything you could possibly wish for. Guests are welcomed on a red carpet and turn left for the reception desk, but also get a glimpse of the tempting Swea Wine & Dine. Under soaring ceilings, the interior is ‘opulently comfy’ in shades of violet, brown and black. There are plenty of lounge areas where armchairs are wide and deep. From the style it’s not hard to guess when the hotel opened: in 2000. Service is impressive and accommodating of various special requests. Rooms are dark, duskily cosy and totally functional. A desk, comfort-able armchairs and a bulging mini-bar; many bathrooms have tubs, and extra pillows can be selected from a lengthy menu. Most shopping streets are a short walk away, as is restaurant-dense Magasins-gatan – and it’s only a ten-minute walk along Stora Hamnkanalen to the Central Station. .