Haymarket by Scandic

Oh yes, she really did work as a sales clerk at Paul U Bergström’s department store. Greta Garbo was the obvious theme when the PUB building was revamped as a swanky hotel early in 2016. The theme is quite thinly applied, though – more like a layer of make-up than a thorough makeover. Behind the jovial jazz age scenery, this is the same hyper-efficient machine for overnight stays familiar from other Scandic hotels, albeit enhanced here by bars and restaurants that create a wonderful buzz virtually round the clock. In spite of all the activity, you can enjoy fairly soundproofed sleep a bit higher up in the building – especially so in a windowless room or one facing the courtyard with its small gym. Standard rooms vary in size and location and are, well, pretty standard under the posh-ish Art Deco veneer. None of the essentials are lacking, even if dispensers for shampoo and shower gel somewhat sully the sense of luxury – but they are key to Scandic’s sustainability policy, which pioneered the towel-on-the-floor-if-you-want-it-washed principle. The upper floors have about a dozen suites that up the comfort and glamour factors even if authenticity never really moves in. Service is no-fuss informal Scandinavian. Breakfast is a generous buffet, well thought out and nicely presented. The egg station offers freshly scrambled eggs made with lactose-free milk.